Page 85 of Alive At Night

But while my usual snide comments were sitting on the tip of my tongue, I couldn’t deploy them. Not while the streaks from her tears were still visible on her face.

I didn’t know how to talk to Juniper in situations like this. Our relationship wasn’t built for these moments.

“I’m sorry Kennedy’s such an asshole,” I finally settled on.

Juniper just rolled her eyes, which pissed me the fuck off. Because Kennedy had just cheated on her. How could she honestly deny the truth now?

“Yeah, you’ve told me about how he’s an asshole…many times,” Juni drawled.

“Well, now maybe you’ll believe me.”

“Yeah.” Juni was nodding now, blinking rapidly in a way that told me she was holding back fresh tears. Her eyes shone, but not in that happy way they did sometimes. Fuck. God fucking damnit. “Congratulations on being right, Julian,” she whispered.

.

CHAPTERTWENTY

julian

IJUST WANTED TO get inside her.

As in, her brain.

What the hell was going on in there? Why the hell was she hiding in the bathroom?

Not to mention, I needed to get rid of all the other thoughts inmybrain that kept circling around how good she felt and that goddamn noise she’d just made when I pulled her closer.

“If it makes you uncomfortable, I can stop,” I muttered.

Juniper frowned. Only inches separated us as we swayed slowly on the dance floor. “Uncomfortable?”

“When I touch you,” I clarified, keeping my voice low. “You freak out a little bit every time we get too close.”

I strongly suspected she was just like me; she was bothered because she liked it, not because she didn’t. But since I couldn’t figure out what she was thinking, I had to check. I needed to know.

“I don’tfreak out.”

I should have guessed that the way I said it would make her get defensive. Sighing, I backpedaled.

“Juniper, I’m trying to make sure you feel safe with me,” I said, and she stilled in my arms, halting our dance.

“Safe with you?”

“Yeah, well…You didn’t want to dance. You were quiet at dinner. You ran away into the bathroom.”

“Julian…” Her mouth opened and closed while she tried to find words. “That’s not it at all. You’ve always kept me safe, and tonight isn’t any different.”

My relief, the blossoming in my chest, was short-lived because itwasdifferent. Tonight was unlike any other night. We both knew that.

Luckily, she kept talking, and I didn’t have to find a reply. Juniper stepped into me, circling her arms around my neck and continuing our gentle sway. She tipped her head back as she gazed up at me. The twinkling lights above us reflected across her face.

“I’m feeling guilty and overwhelmed,” she confessed.

I understood overwhelmed, but… “Guilty?”

“That you’re here.”

“That I’m—Juni.” I exhaled, tightening my hold on her. “I told you already. I’m happy to be here.”

---