Page 59 of The Relationship Clause

I look between his eyes, knowing it’s impossible, knowing we’ll both end up hurt.

“Promise.”

CHAPTER 18

OWEN

I told my therapist about the kiss.

I didn’t want to, but if I was going to be able to make it through this trip with Junie, I had to.

That kiss had absolutely wrecked me. She had been so…and I never thought…but then we… Ugh. I can’t even fully process it a week later.

That’s why I called an emergency meeting with my therapist in the wee hours of the night. I wasn’t sure exactly what she would say. What I’d hoped she’d tell me was that I was one hundred percent justified in trying to suppress my feelings and that I should keep the status quo in my life, because up until Junie came waltzing in, I’d been doing pretty good.

Ha. Nope. That’s definitely not what she told me.

Instead, her exact words were, “Open yourself up to the possibility of more.”

Eight simple words, and they were terrifying. Still are, to be honest. But right after I got off that video call, I marched myself across the hall to Junie’s, knocked on the door, and opened myself up to her. I mean, okay, I guess I could have been more upfront, but it was the best I could come up with on the spot. I tossed the proverbial ball into her court.

I don’t expect her to return said ball right away. Heck, I don’t know if she’ll return it at all. I may be playing tennis by myself for all I know.

The thing about Junie is she’s got so many walls up. Tall, thick, double-layered walls. The more time I’ve spent with her, the more I’ve realized that. If I’m going to open myself up to the possibility of more, I need to break down some of those walls. I need to let Junie know she can let her walls down with me and still be safe.

For example, she said I’d get Juniper on our trip, but I can tell she’s still holding back with me. From the moment I picked her up this morning until now, being driven in a towncar to our ski lodge, she’s been reserved like she has been all week. Her smiles don’t quite reach her eyes, she keeps her distance from me, and her conversation is a little stilted.

It’s almost as if she’s afraid of something. Well, I’m terrified of what this weekend could turn into too. I’m trying to face those fears though. I hope I can convince her to be brave enough to face them with me.

I glance down at my shoulder to where I can just see the remnants of the little drool spot she left on my jacket when she fell asleep on the plane. Maybe it’s weird, but it brings a smile to my face. It feels like proof that tearing down her walls is possible.

I suppress a sigh, wishing I knew how to break the silence between us. We haven’t said much to each other since getting into the car. It’s ridiculous. I’m a grown man struggling to talk to a woman. She’s said more to our driver than she has to me so far, and I’m starting to get jealous.

My phone buzzes. Maybe it’s Shane. I sent him a message earlier this morning asking how he was doing and if he had everything under control. On top of all the other emotions I’m trying to grapple with this weekend, I also have our company to worry about.

Shane: Yeah, man. Everything’s good. The trap is baited, set, and Phase Three is a go. I’ll let you know if I find any activity.

Owen: Great. Thanks.

Shane: NP. Shouldn’t you be cozied up in a lodge somewhere?

Owen: Almost. Landed at Eagle Regional, and we’re almost to Vail now. Just wanted to check in this morning.

Shane: Well, don’t worry about anything here. Focus on skiing, and try to have some fun.

Shane: Or, you know, have fun not skiing. Either way. ;)

Owen: Right. Thanks.

Shane: What’s this? No objections to the winky face or the subsequent assumptions associated therewith? You do have it bad. Must have been some kiss.

Okay, yeah, so I told my best friend about the kiss too. Definitely not as good of an idea as talking to my therapist. But Shane could tell something was going on with us this week, so he took me out to lunch and flat-out asked me.

At first, I thought he’d have a problem with it since he and Junie have history, and I thought when she started working for me, he might try to start something up again. I was wrong. Actually, not only was I wrong, his reaction was the exact opposite of what I’d expected. He was super supportive and understanding. He’s done minimal teasing since I told him about the kiss, and that’s been surprising too.

“Wow,” Junie murmurs.

I nearly jump. She spoke first, and I’m way more excited about it than I should be. I follow her eyes out the window to the snowy, picturesque town we’re driving through.

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