Page 12 of Fated Secret Baby

“Of course not. How could you have known that the trees around here are thirsty for plumbing?”

Barking a laugh at my feeble joke, Amara shakes her head. “Nolan told us that we could stay at his place.”

Oh. Amara’s brother is great, but I didn’t exactly prepare for a public announcement around Juniper. If Nolan knows, then it’s really only a matter of time before he tells someone. He’s a great guy. He can keep a secret, but this is a pack.

Minimizing exposure is the only form of gossip control.

I look down at Juniper, then back at Amara. “I don’t know that I was… ready to talk to everyone about… this,” I say quietly.

She nods. “I think there are some places in town to rent.”

I don’t have the money for that. I sigh, shutting my eyes. “I think we can transfer our bus ticket to leave sooner.”

“Calista…”

“I don’t want to bother you, Amara. I know that this is a lot for you.”

Amara’s eyes mist a little. “I’m fine.”

Coming so soon on the heels of a nasty breakup, I don’t think she is. “Let me change the bus tickets.”

“Nolan’s fine if we stay.”

“I know. But if Nolan knows, then Jasper is going to know, and the rest of them,” I add.

At the mention of her brother’s best friend, Amara’s cheeks turn a little pink. “Jasper doesn’t live here anymore,” she says quickly. “He took a job in New York ages ago.”

“Ah,” I say. “Is that a good thing?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I always thought you had a crush on him,” I tease, hoping to lighten the mood.

Amara snorts. “Yeah, well. Don’t all little girls get a crush on their brother’s best friend?”

“What’s a crush?”

Juniper’s question makes both of us blush. “It’s when you think someone is really, really special,” I offer, looking at Amara.

She shrugs and mouths, Good enough.

“Auntie Amara, I have a crush on you,” Juniper announces.

Amara laughs, finally. “That’s sweet, Junie.”

I stand. “Let me just call the bus people, and we’ll pack our bags.”

“Just stay with me at Nolan’s tonight,” Amara says. “So you don’t miss your d-a-t-e tomorrow with O-r-i-o-n.”

Juniper looks interested, but she luckily can’t spell yet.

My heart sinks. “Sh—shoot. You know what,” I say, my mind whirring. “Can you take Junie with you for a bit? I’ll head over to… that place and take care of it.”

Amara’s eyes widen. “Now?”

No. Yes. Maybe. “I’ll at least let him know that I can’t stay.”

I owe him that. I left without a word last time. Ghosting him again… I’m not that mean.

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