Page 79 of Alive At Night

Juniper nodded absently for a few seconds. When her brows were still scrunched, I gave her a little nudge, curious what was going on in that head of hers. She turned slowly to look at me.

“Did you say…Elez?”

“Yeah. Why?”

With a quick clear of her throat, Juni looked away. “Nothing.”

It was absolutely notnothing, but I decided I’d bug her about that later.

Within ten minutes, the atrium had filled to the brim. Nessa was the one who kicked off the ceremony, confidently singing her heart out as the first family members started walking down the aisle. And while the entire crowd watched Nessa or the procession, I watched Juniper.

Her eyes shifted between her hands and her surroundings as the bride and groom’s parents started walking down the aisle. Indecision danced in them, but Juniper’s gaze finally locked on the middle-aged woman with golden-brown hair, brown eyes, and a nose the same shape as Juniper’s.

I rubbed my thumb soothingly over her knee while she stared, fixated. It wasn’t until Sofia emerged to walk down the aisle and the guests around us stood that Juniper switched her focus.

The ceremony itself wasn’t long. Vows were exchanged, and Nessa performed another number, one of her rising hits. Before I knew it, the newly married couple made their grand exit.

“Let’s get you a drink,” I said to Juni as soon as the guests started to exit the aisle.

When she nodded enthusiastically, I put my hand on the small of her back and led her toward the bar. Two drinks later, we were safely tucked to the side of the pandemonium, sipping our cocktails.

“Lavendervodka lemonade,” I muttered, glaring at the purple drink in Juni’s hand. “Do you have to be so goddamn predictable?”

“It was the bride’s specialty drink,” she shot back, although I didn’t miss the twist of her lips that hinted at amusement. “Probably because lavender is one of their wedding colors. Have you ever been to a wedding before, Mr. Briggs?”

I grimaced. “Don’t call me that. It’s weird.”

“Oh, so you can call me whatever nickname you like, but I can’t call you by your last name?”

Rocking back on my heels, I nodded. “That would be correct, Lavender.”

Juni looked ready to unleash another comeback when we were bombarded by a mountain of white lace and squeals.

“Oh myGod! Juniper!”

When I say that the bride of this ridiculously extravagant wedding jumped on my fake girlfriend, I meanjumped. Sofia’s arms looped around Juniper’s neck, leaning into her with so much force that I had to apply some extra pressure on Juni’s back to keep her upright.

While she was crushed against Sofia, Juniper’s expression flitted between shock, relief, and worry as she flashed a wobbly smile. I could tell she hadn’t been prepared for this. Not yet, anyway. Not before she’d finished her first drink. But Sofia wore such a bright enthusiasm that I doubted she noticed her half sister’s reaction. And the tighter Sofia hugged, the wider Juniper’s smile seemed to grow.

“It is so amazing to finally meet you!” Sofia squealed, finally pulling back. “I am absolutely delighted that you were able to make it.”

“Thank you for the invitation,” Juniper replied, her smile still growing with each passing second. “It meant a lot.”

“Ofcourse.After months of stalking you on social media, it’s so exciting to actually see you. I’ve always hoped we could meet up, but…” Sofia drifted off, checking over her shoulder. Her smile faded slightly, and in turn, so did Juniper’s. “Mom’s just not quite ready, and I wanted to respect what she needed.” She brightened again. “But today’s my wedding, and I wanted my only sister here.”

“I’m thrilled to be here,” Juniper said earnestly, a bit of shininess in her eyes.

I hoped it was happiness. I hoped it was because her sister seemed genuinely ecstatic to meet her. I hoped that was it and nothing else.

In case it wasn’t, I grabbed her hand.

Unsurprisingly, Sofia took note of the movement and turned her attention toward me.

“This must be your man,” she said slyly to Juniper while beaming at me.

I knew. I knew I was coming here to pretend to be Juniper’s boyfriend, but being referred to asher manhit me harder than any tackle I’d endured during my college football career. I hadn’t been prepared for that. Not a single bit.

Juniper cleared her throat, and her voice sounded slightly strained when she spoke. “This is my boyfriend, Julian. Julian Briggs.”

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