Page 50 of The Relationship Clause

“Yeah, what was with Kiera? I wasn’t sure how she’d react to us fake dating, but I didn’t expect that.”

“Yeah…” I stop and rub my neck after pushing the garbage down the chute. “I think she was mad we didn’t tell her we were fake dating in the first place. Also, apparently Kiera thinks we’d make a ‘cute couple’ so I think this is her way of trying to force us together.”

Pink tinges Junie’s cheeks, and her eyes go big. “Oh.”

Yeah, maybe I shouldn’t have told her that.

“Look, you shouldn’t be forced into Vail if you don’t want to go. I can make up an excuse for you. You can get sick, or maybe your super-cool-but-uptight boss will send you on a work trip, or maybe you have a family emergency or something.”

“No, it’s okay. I mean, we’re kind of stuck in this now, so we might as well enjoy a free vacation, I guess. Right?” She looks up at me hopefully, and I manage to crack a smile. The fact that she’s trying to joke gives me hope. Like maybe we’ll survive this night and this weird thing we’ve found ourselves in with my dad.

“Right. And trust me, you will enjoy this vacation. I know Dad sounded like a salesman back there, but Vail is beautiful. And fun. There’s so much to do there.” A thrill of something I haven’t felt in a long time pops into my chest. Am I…am I actually excited to share this with Junie?

Without meaning to, I’ve already started envisioning taking Junie skiing, showing her my favorite hot cocoa place, taking her ice skating, maybe holding her hand so she doesn’t fall on the ice…

I blink hard and clench my fists. This is definitely something that needs more inspection. Like, maybe even with the help of my therapist. Maybe.

“Uh, anyway, they’re probably waiting for us.” I point awkwardly back at my door but drop my hand, feeling foolish. Suddenly, I’m not sure what to do with my hands. Put them in my pockets? At my sides? Hips? One hand up, one hand down? I’m a little teapot, short and… What do people do with their hands???

Ugh. What am I doing? This isn’t like me, not knowing how to move or act or be. I’ve got to get over myself. “By the way, don’t feel like you have to change for dinner. You’re fine in what you’ve got on.”

Really fine.

Shut up, brain.

Junie smiles and moves ahead of me. “Good, because I don’t want to change. It’s your house. If you’re comfortable with me, I’m comfortable with me.”

Great. If only she knew how comfortable I was getting with her…

CHAPTER 15

OWEN

“Oh my gosh, this chicken is divine.” Junie moans, eyes closed, fork still in her mouth. It’s distracting as all get out. I need to find more reasons to cook for Junie, and fast.

Kiera kicks my shin under the table. A little too hard, I might add. I glare at her, but she only smirks and tosses me a napkin. “Here, Owen. For the drool.”

If looks could kill, my sister would be so dead. But I can’t fully deny the implied accusation. The more time I spend with Junie, the more I realize how drool-worthy she is.

“I still can’t believe you had no idea Owen cooked,” Dad says, chasing his bite with a generous swig of wine. He’s already on his second glass. “If I had his culinary skills, I’d have women begging to eat out of the palm of my hand, if you know what I mean.”

I try to hold back a grimace at the disturbing image his words conjure up. Kiera, not so much.

“Ew, Dad, stop.” Kiera’s eyes are wide with embarrassment, face contorted in disgust.

Dad chuckles. “Come on, Kiera Bear, we’re all adults here.”

“No, we’re adults. You’re still Dad. And don’t call me that.”

“Trust me, Fred, you’re the lucky one,” Junie says, winking. “Whatever you do, do not become an adult.”

More laughter rises around the table, and I can’t help joining in. In my wildest dreams, this is not how I thought dinner would go tonight, all of us more or less happy, talking normally, teasing, and laughing. Dinner with Dad is usually a chore at best, but with Junie here, she seems to be taking the work right out of it, and we’re all at ease.

Suddenly, I’m imagining having Junie at my side during other random daily tasks. Would her presence have the same effect as it does now? Driving through busy traffic, walking down aisles of the grocery store together, strolling hand in hand along the paths that wind beside the Reedy River, waking up next to each other…

“Owen? Hello?”

Another kick lands on my shin. I start, looking up to find three sets of eyes staring at me with varying looks of curiosity.

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