Page 19 of Be My First

“I thought you were doing that on purpose,” I say.

She laughs. “No. I just lack the skill set to do anything else.”

Maggie walks over and studies it. “Honestly, maybe it’s an accident, but it’s beautiful.”

“Thanks, Maggie.” Juno resumes working.

“It is.” I say, my voice entirely too soft. Her paintbrush freezes mid-stroke. Her spine straightens a little, and she gives a little nod before continuing.

“So Rome tomorrow?” Eli says.

“I wish we could take the train,” Juno responds. “That would be more fun.”

Eli looks up from his painting. “And way more dangerous.”

She shrugs. “I’m sure it would be fine. I think everyone overreacts about safety.”

“Maggie, Elizabeth, Brooklyn, and Zadie have all been abducted at one point. Do you really think we’re overreacting about safety?” Eli asks. His voice is actually sharp.

I think about this for a moment. I hadn’t considered how all of the women in this family aside from Juno had been in life threatening danger at one point or another over the last few years.

“Well, there were extraneous circumstances to all those incidents. I’m much more boring than the rest of them.”

Eli ignores this comment and directs a question to Maggie. “You and Declan are going to Rome, right?”

Maggie nods her head. “Yes. We are. We will probably have to come back early though. We’re working out the details of Elizabeth and James coming right now. We’ll text everyone to let you know the plan when we’ve ironed it out.”

“I can’t wait for Rome,” Juno says. “Sorry your trip will be short.”

Maggie doesn’t stop painting. “Well, we are planning to go back later this summer. I’m just glad Elizabeth and James are coming.”

“Me too. I’m happy they worked it out,” Eli says.

“I’ve never been to Rome,” Juno adds.

“You’ll love it,” Eli says.

“One of the best cities in the world,” I add.

Juno steals a glance at me and then returns to her painting. “The adventure continues.”

“So it does,” Eli agrees.

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