Page 21 of Booked for the Holidays
“So, what’s the plan?”Stella asks, finally getting a moment of reprieve from all the well-wishers congratulating her and Jasper on their engagement.
“I’m not certain. I hadn’t anticipated competition.”
“Oh?” She arches a brow. “Is that because you didn’t realize my future sister-in-law is not only gorgeous, brilliant, and a savvy businesswoman, but such a catch she’s not waiting around for the man who rejected her last Christmas?”
At his fiancée’s snarky reply, my best friend’s eyebrows lift in amusement.
Jasper and Stella already know how I feel about Juniper. Back around Thanksgiving, when Jasper pulled me aside to show me the ring he’d bought Stella, I’d congratulated him, then promptly confessed about Juniper. About the kiss, at least. The rest of that night is something I’ll keep between me and her.
Our conversation was when I finally admitted out loud that I was done pretending my feelings weren’t real.
Jasper likes to joke that I needed a road map to my own feelings, but at least I’m not waiting twenty years like he did.
My glare sharpens. “Every man should drop to their knees in front of Juniper.” Then quieter, more certain, “But I’m the one who’ll earn the right to stay there.”
Jasper’s eyes darken. “Didn’t we make a pact? No references to being on your knees for my sister. Ever.”
I huff a dry laugh, but don’t take the bait. There’s something more important I need to know.I turn to Jasper. “What did you do last year when Stella’s former fling was sniffing around?”
Jasper chuckles. “Daniel was no competition.”
Stella smirks. “But you still got jealous.”
“When he touched you, of course. But I knew you didn’t want him, so that helped.”
In synchronization, our heads turn just in time to see Juniper kiss her so-called date on the cheek. He just stands there, hands stuffed into his pockets, not bothering to pull her in close. And the way Juniper eyes him is not romantic, but conspiratorial.
There’s also the fact that while they talk, he’s checking out another woman across the bar.
Stella lifts a brow. “Should we tell him?”
Jasper shrugs. “We said we wouldn’t get involved.”
I drag my eyes away from Juniper for a moment. “Tell me what?”
Stella leans in. “That guy isn’t Juniper’s date. It’s her friend, Wiley. They’ve known each other since they were in diapers.”
Jasper scoffs. “We’ve known each other since we were eight and we’re really together.” He taps the diamond ring on her finger with a smug grin. “We’re engaged now.”
“Yeah, but Wiley and Juniper are different than you and me. We’ve always had chemistry.”
Jasper smirks. “Glad you’re willing to admit that.”
Then, quieter, he reaches for her hand. “You’re the only person I’ve ever looked at and known—absolutely known—I’d spend my life with.”
She softens. “Good. Because you’re stuck with me.”
They share this look. So familiar, so full of ease and certainty, that it hits me square in the chest. The quiet kind of love. The kind that doesn’t need proving. The kind that doesn’t flinch when someone kisses the wrong cheek or pretends to care about someone else.
I look away.
Because I’ve never had that.
But I want it.
God help me, I want it with Juniper Jensen.
As Jasper and Stella get pulled into another conversation with local friends, I take the opportunity to reassess my approach, then head for the opposite end of the bar to grab a drink.
