Page 48 of Booked for the Holidays
“Juni.” She squeezes my shoulder. “You don’t have to solve him. Or label this. Or build a ten-year plan. Maybe it’s not about figuring out if he’s your forever.”
I hesitate. “Then what is it about?”
“It’s about you wanting him. Remember? A year ago, you were okay with just sex. And clearly, he wants you now. So maybe, just let it be fun. No expectations.”
“No expectations.” I repeat it, tasting the words. They feel foreign, dangerous, and kind of delicious. I let out a slow breath. “You think I can do that?”
“Get what you want, Juni. And if he leaves again, make sure he doesn’t take anything with him you weren’t willing to give.”
I nod, more to convince myself than anything.
No strings. No plans. Just stolen kisses and bad decisions wrapped in tinsel. I can survive that…right?
After I finish shopping with Cassie, I drop her off at her parents’, then drive over to my family’s house.
This year is different in many ways. The fact I’m not living at home anymore, but also with Jasper and Stella together now, it will forever change the landscape of our family holidays. Luckily, Stella’s family lives across the street so there’s no need for them to commit to one family vs. the other when it comes to spending time for holidays and special occasions.
And, I love seeing Jasper happy, but I miss our time together. Just two siblings teasing each other.
I swing open the back door of my parents’ house with a box of decorations balanced on my hip, only to find Jasper at the kitchen table, intently looking at his laptop like a man possessed.
“Please tell me you’re not working,” I say, nudging the door closed with my foot.
“I’m not,” he says without looking up. “Well, not technically.”
I round the kitchen island to squint at his screen. “Are you seriously looking at wedding venues?”
He finally glances up, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Don’t judge me.”
I set the box down with a thud. “I’m not judging. I’m just deeply impressed by the speed at which you’ve become that guy.”
“What guy?”
“The guy who makes a wedding Pinterest board before the proposal glitter has even settled.”
Jasper scoffs. “This is practical. If we don’t start looking now, we’ll end up getting married next to a gas station in off-season Wyoming.”
I lean on the counter, grinning. “I mean, Stella would make a stunning bride in front of a convenience store slushie machine.”
“She said I could browse,” he mutters. “As long as I don’t do anything until after Christmas. She doesn’t want to steal focus from the holiday stuff.”
“Wow. Who knew you’d be the eager one in this relationship?”
“I contain multitudes,” he says dryly.
For a second, it’s easy. Just me and Jasper doing our usual sibling banter. But then I glance at his face—the one that’s known me through every awkward phase, every heartbreak.
Which makes me wonder what he would think about me and Liam. Casually, of course. Like Cassie and I decided. Maybe casual means I don’t even need to bring it up with Jasper. I’ve never said a word about my crush on Liam to him. And if Liam and I started hooking up, it’s not like I’m going to steal my brother’s best friend away from him.
He leans back, stretching his arms overhead. “What brings you by?”
“Mom wanted the vintage Santa mugs. I had them at the store.” I pause, then add casually, “Thought I’d say hi.”
“Hi,” he says, brow lifting. “And?”
“And what?”
“You’ve got your Juniper face on.”
