hapter 34
Juniper
I am absolutely, categorically, not excited for my date.
It’s not even a real date.
Just a fake dinner to showcase a fake relationship in front of my
very honest and trusting Nana who wouldn’t emotionally understand the concept if it was explained to her ten times. Which, I’m fairly sure, makes me a terrible person.
If she ever finds out this isn’t real, I’m toast. She’ll never forgive me.
Worse, she’ll probably wonder where she went wrong.
Holy hell, and if she figures out that it’s all so I can give the bakery a second chance, will she even hold up at her age without a coronary event?
No, I can’t let her know.
I need her to believe it’s the Sugar Bowl’s legit success that’s allowing us to refurbish. The first long overdue upgrades we’ve had since she stepped aside.
I’m going to finally succeed, and all it cost me was my integrity and a big piece of my soul.
Sigh.
I lean in closer to the mirror to do my eyeliner.
If I’m wearing makeup, Nana will definitely think this is the real deal. The last time I wore it regularly was when I was with Liam and we’d go out.
Not that I want to think about stupid Liam’s stupid face. God, when did I get so jittery?
It’s not a real date.
It’s just Big Fish. Dexter. Dex.
I should probably start calling him Dex tonight because it seems more casual and feels less threatening. And if he calls me Junie, it might help.
Or it might make everything ten times worse. Blech.
My hands go still as I stare at my reflection in my ancient bathroom mirror, second–guessing all my recent life decisions. The lighting in here is terrible.
My hair looks almost dull, a mousy red–brown, and I think I see every scar left behind by pimples from ten years
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Love Betrayed: A Journey of Separate
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Chapter 34
ago.
“Oh God, will you stop?” I tell myself. “It’s not a date.” Good thing, too.
Last time we met up, he almost kissed me. I think.
It’s hard to tell when he practically picked me up and chucked me out of his office right after that weird slow dance. The thing that left me humming all evening.
Pathetic, I know. But that’s what happens when I haven’t been with a guy in years, and Liam never danced with me
once.
I’m not sure he had a romantic bone in his body. He was just familiar, comfortable, and manly enough at the time.
I guess hindsight works wonders for showing you how crappy your exes really were.
It also leaves me reeling at the contrast between Liam and Dexter freaking Rory.
The dance did its job, melting away the stifling tension.
Somehow, it was nice, which was an even greater surprise.
Even when he held me close enough to inhale him with every breath, staring down at my mouth with a hunger that scared me in all the best ways.
Talk about a close call.
I still can’t believe I’m getting swarmed by butterflies over an almost–kiss with a guy I don’t even like.
We haven’t even spoken since then, except to confirm dinner plans and what time he should pick me up.
This time, I insisted on text, saying I was tied up at work. I decided an awkward voice chat just might set me spinning all over again when I’m trying so hard to keep my feet on the ground with this strange, bossy man.
Turning away from my imperfections in the mirror, I grab my heels from the closet.
Sure, I’ve overdressed, but Nana always told me it’s better to make a statement than to come dragging in with
nobody noticing.
Considering the last time I wore this outfit was to an engagement party
-obviously not mine–it’s safe to say I’ve picked the fanciest thing in my wardrobe.
Not that now is the time to worry about that.
Knowing Dexter is Mr. Punctual incarnate, I try to hurry up. The less he sees of my crappy apartment building, the
better.
After visiting his sleek castle, I really don’t need him wondering how I survive in this hole in the wall.
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Chapter 34
Catness rolls across my bed with a loud yawn like he agrees, plastering more thick grey fur on my favorite blanket.
“Dude. You don’t need to rub it in,” I say, stroking his head as I walk past to finish cleaning up.
At seven on the dot, I see him arrive in a ride that’s way too polished for anyone else here. A Tesla SUV, decked out in customizations that would bankrupt me.
I text that I’m coming and dash outside, cursing the evening rain that instantly hits my shoulders.
The drizzle does its best to deflate my curls, but I’m inside soon, cushioned in the sort of luxury I’ve only seen in my dreams
The dashboard looks like it belongs in a sci–fi movie. He presses a button on the huge screen and heat pulses up through my legs.
As for Dexter himself-
God. This man must moonlight as a model.
Dark hair brushed back, navy shirt, tan jacket fit so tight to his shoulders it should be illegal in all fifty states.
He’s good enough to eat without a speck of sugar in his health–freak system.
There go my doubts again.
Who in their right mind would ever believe he’s voluntarily dating me? I cough loudly, rubbing my palms on my thighs to try to calm down.
My heart feels like it’s ready to splash across the windshield, but whatevs.
I’ll live.
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