Page 10 of When It Reins
But the truth is, I avoid Juniper.
Everything about her has me wanting to go back on my word to myself to never get mixed up with another woman, to never let anyone see beneath the surface.
My walls are built by forge and steel, and I am determined to never let anyone in.
Even the one person who makes my heart feel like pumping again.
6
juniper
I giggleas David tries to steal a bite of my ice cream. The cone I’m holding is as big as my head and nearly topples at his flirtatious move. “Ah! David!”
“What?” he asks boyishly, licking his lips that are coated with the sweet cream. “I just wanted a taste.”
I give him a stern look and wipe the ice cream off my hand. “Just a taste, huh?”
I sling my arm through his and take in the charming little Main Street we are walking on. I never took time to do things like this before David came to town, but since he’s been here, it’s pushed me to explore the place I call home more than I ever did before.
Growing up in a high rise in the middle of the city is a one-eighty from how life is lived here. It took some serious getting used to.
But after Thea’s divorce from her horrible ex-husband, all of us girls had needed a change, and Thea was the one who came up with the idea for the bar.
I was on board, not really knowing what I was going to do with my life. Annmarie was quick to jump on the train. My sister, Astoria, is the wanderlust spirit and rarely had one place to call her home. And Ophelia had already been on the track for college back then, and we all encouraged her to chase her dream, even if it meant her being on the other side of the country.
I never imagined my dream would be dating a city boy and sharing an ice cream cone while walking through my charming small town, but here I was.
“How was work this week?” I ask David, watching as a slight frown takes over his lips.
“You never ask about my work.”
I feel my stomach clench a little and glance back at him, giving him a smile. “Well, I’m curious. You never bring it up, yet it’s the whole reason you’re here.”
David’s eyes hold mine for a moment too long, and I blink, keeping my smile in place. “Work was fine, I guess. I’ll be here a little longer.”
My expression must drop, because he reaches out and pulls me closer, nearly squishing the ice cream cone between the two of us. “Don’t look at me like that. When I leave, we’ll figure it out.”
It’s not a very reassuring statement. Neither is his lack of details when it comes to his work, but just as I open my mouth, my name is spoken softly by someone behind me.
I glance back, already knowing who it is by the tone of the voice. “Hey, Mitch.”
David stiffens and lets out a sigh, looking intently at Mitch, who is currently wearing his cut from his club, the patch on the front reading Hero. I’ve only heard his club brothers call him that, and very rarely, but I wonder if that’s the name he prefers.
“What are you up to?” I say, trying to keep the tone light.
Since he walked me to my car last Saturday, I’ve wondered what he was trying to do. He hasn’t approached me again since, not other than politely walking everyone to their cars. I no longer looked into that for more than it was worth, but I feel like there’s a conversation that needs to be had.
If only he were the talking kind.
He lifts his hand, and I blink at the bundle of rope. “Shopping.”
I glance to the hardware store behind him and let out a chuckle. “Got a new girlfriend?”
Mitch’s lips twitch at my joke, but David pokes me in the side. “Ow.”
Suddenly, Mitch’s almost smile is gone, and he takes three steps forward. In his cowboy boots, which I always see him wearing, he’s a couple of inches taller than normal, but I’m guessing barefoot he is at least six foot three.
“Keep your hands to yourself.” Mitch’s low rumble and intent eyes tell me I need to defuse the situation at hand. The ice cream starts to melt over my hand, and I toss it in a trash can, wiping furiously at my sticky hand.
