Page 23 of Booked for the Holidays
He looks thankful to be relieved from fake date duty and ready to start chatting up the blonde across the bar.
“But before you make your move, let’s have a little fun.”
“What kind of fun?” he asks, lifting the beer up to his lips.
Juniper, with drink in hand and a quick wave to the group of people she was talking to, heads our way.
The moment she spots me at the table with Wiley, her stride slows. Her eyes turn wary, like she’s approaching a live grenade.
Wiley, looking far too pleased with himself, says, “Hey, Juni, we’ve got a problem.”
She arches a brow. “We?”
I lean back on the barstool. “Wiley and I have reached an impasse.”
She crosses her arms. “Oh, have you?”
“Yes,” I say, sipping my drink. “We both seem to think we’re your boyfriend.”
She chokes on her drink. “Excuse me?”
Wiley, more committed to this bit than he was to being her fake date, nods solemnly. “And it’s getting messy, Juni. You need to clear this up.”
“Traitor,” she hisses at him.
I smirk. “So, which one of us gets the honor?”
She rolls her eyes. “Wiley, obviously.”
Wiley raises a hand. “Ah, hold on—before you answer too fast, let’s make it fair.”
I gesture graciously. “Yes, let’s give her the full picture.”
Wiley straightens up. “Boyfriend Candidate #1: Me. I’d make a fine fake boyfriend. I don’t ask too many questions, I have excellent taste in Christmas movies, and I don’t—” He jerks a thumb at me, “—smirk like that.”
I tilt my head. “Oh, I rather like my smirk.”
I remember the moment last year at the liquor store when Juniper told me she liked it, too.
“Juni, I really like this guy.” He takes a sip of the beer I bought him.
Juniper scowls. “Unbelievable.”
I place a hand over my heart. “Which brings us to Boyfriend Candidate #2: Me. Not easily distracted, always listening, and…” I step closer, voice low, words just for her. “I wouldn’t be faking it.”
I hear the catch in her breath. She goes still.
“So, Juniper. Who’s it going to be?”
Her eyes burn into mine. “Neither of you.” She glares at Wiley. “I’ll deal with you later.”
“Good luck, man.” Wiley hits me with a clap on the shoulder before heading in the direction of the blonde he’s been eyeing.
Juniper is already pulling on her coat and heading for the door.
“Juniper! Wait!”
“Why can’t you leave me alone?” she groans. “Is this fun for you? Catching me in a lie and making me look silly?”
