Page 55 of Alive At Night

“Do you think the lack of proper diagnosis and its implication for their new baby, given they now have confirmation of genetic predisposition for a heart defect, could support the case?”

Juniper’s head lifted abruptly. “Their baby?”

“They learned Nes—the mom was pregnant with their second child after receiving the correct diagnosis.”

If Juniper caught my slipup, she didn’t react to it. She was too busy glaring at me for another reason. “You didn’t tell me that.”

“Yes, I did.”

“No, you—” Breaking off, Juniper shook her head while rubbing her temples. “You know what, never mind. I should probably get going anyway. I have to tidy up a little bit before I have company tomorrow.”

My mood immediately soured. I hadn’t forgotten who hercompanywas.

Even though Juniper claimed she needed to leave, she sat there for at least another minute, staring out the window. A frown seemed stuck on her face. She twisted a ring on her finger. Round and round.

“You’re doing it again,” I said finally.

“What?”

“Acting weird.”

Her lips curved. Slightly. “You mean un-Juni-like?”

“Yeah.” The word was dry. I needed a drink. “That.”

A frown swallowed her whole again, and I tried not to let my mind get ahead of myself as I wondered what prompted it. Instead, I took a stab in the dark.

“Cameron and I are planning to grab a drink after work tomorrow.” I cleared my throat, still wishing I had something to lubricate it. “Maybe just invite Noah to join us.”

I studied Juniper’s reaction, thinking I saw a hint of relief there.

“I don’t know if that would work.”

It was my turn to frown. “Why not?”

“That would mean I wouldalsohave to be invited,” she said, a bit of challenge entering her tone. There she was. That was Juni-like.

“No, you don’t.” I grinned. “You invite yourself to places all the time.”

“Cameron invited me last time,” she countered. And while she rolled her eyes, she also fought a smile. “I didn’t invite myself.”

“Whatever, Rosie.” I stood, feeling better now that the status quo had been restored. “The Bellflower Bar. Tomorrow. Five o’clock. Invite London, or I can.”

Wariness lingered in Juniper’s gaze, but she nodded. “I’ll think about it.”

* * *

My brain didn’t like imaginingNoah and Juniper together. It made my gut roil in weird ways I didn’t totally understand. All I understood was the irritation bubbling inside me, caused by Juniper’s continuation of stealing away the people in my life. But I wasn’t sure if this was any better. This, right here in the bar, had to be worse. At least my imagination had left room for doubt, for the chance that maybe the sight of them together wasn’t completely sickening.

In reality, there was no room for doubt.

They were completely sickening.

Juni’s laugh was over-the-top as she tossed her head back at everything Noah said. AndJesus Christ, had she undone a few buttons on her blouse? No, that wasn’t it. Upon closer inspection, there were no buttons at all. It was the bow. Earlier at work, she had one of her ridiculous bows tied at her neckline, and only an oval-shaped glimpse of skin was exposed on her chest. Now, the ribbonlike strings on her shirt lay untied, the fabric gaping.

I didn’t like it.

It wasn’t a Juni-look. It was all…wrong.

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