Page 80 of Alive At Night

“It’s a pleasure to meet you and be here,” I said, extending my hand. “Congratulations to you and Marc.”

“That’s so sweet. Thank you.” Sofia shook my hand, even though it looked like she was considering pulling me into a hug like she had with Juniper. “I would introduce you to Marc, but he’s off with the photographer for a few pictures with the groomsmen.”

“Completely understandable. We wouldn’t want to monopolize his time, anyway.” I wrapped my arm around Juni’s waist and pulled her right into my side. “Or yours, of course.”

“Oh, nonsense.” Sofia waved that thought away. She was a tiny thing, and her whole body seemed to move with every word. But while she was smaller and a bit more animated than Juniper, they had the same brown eyes and hair. “I do hope you enjoy the rest of the evening, though! I made sure to seat you next to Grayson for a little college reunion.”

Sofia winked, and a laugh of disbelief slipped out of Juniper. “How did you know about that?”

“Oh, girl.” Mischief oozed from Sofia’s grin. “It would be embarrassing to admit the amount of research I did for tonight’s seating chart. It’s all I’ve done this week. I never should have waited until the last minute to sort through the RSVPs. Although I wish I’d known you had an in with Wednesday Elevett all this time! It’s impressive, I gotta say.”

“I—”

Juniper didn’t appear to know what to say to that, so I brushed a hair out of her face before muttering my own response.

“Juni has a way of surprising everyone.”

But it had nothing to do withknowingimpressive people.

And everything to do with being one.

“Julian—”

Knowing she was about to protest, I cut her off. And just to make her a little extra speechless so she couldn’t argue, I dropped a kiss on her head.

“It’s true, baby,” I said.

“Oh, he’sdreamy.” Sofia laughed before leaning in to give Juni one more hug. Her next words were said below her breath, but since I’d refused to let go of Juni completely, we were close, and I still heard it. “Hang on to that one.”

“I plan on it,” Juniper replied breathlessly.

Sofia beamed, pulling back. “See you on the dance floor later?”

Juni nodded wordlessly before Sofia vanished into the crowd. I studied my date, wondering how she was recovering from that whirlwind. When she didn’t say anything, I gave her a prompt.

“So…she seems nice.”

Nervous laughter flitted around us. “You’re just saying that because she called you dreamy.”

“Hey, don’t fault her for that. Iamdreamy.”

Juniper took a long, overt drink of her lavender lemonade instead of replying. When she was done, she pursed her lips before opening her mouth and—

“Jules?”

I turned to find Grayson standing a few feet away with a drink.

A drink?

“You don’t have to drink it,” Nessa was muttering as she rummaged around in a small purse, clearly having missed what her husband had just said. “People just keephandingthem to me for some reason—”

Grayson glanced away from me momentarily to side-eye his wife. “It’s because you’re famous, darling.”

“—and I can’t drink it, but we haven’t announced ouryou-know-what.”

A smirk lit up Grayson’s face as he stepped closer to Nessa, smoothing his hand over her stomach. “I do know what.”

On any other day, I would have rolled my eyes. But I was too busy being happy just seeing them. Meanwhile, Nessa huffed before turning toward me for the first time and—

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