“Mia?”
Juniper is sitting up in bed, her hair bedraggled. Even her fringe sticks up at odd angles for once. Her expression is sleepy and soft. She’s perfect.
“You’re awake.” I hold out my hand, and she pads over, taking it in her own. We stand there, hand in hand, gazing out at the world.
“I’m gonna really miss you,” she says quietly, and I squeeze her hand.
“We’re gonna miss you too,” I say.
She groans. “This sucks so bad.”
I dip my head. “It sure does.”
Ethan lets out a low rumbling snore, and we both giggle, our free hands rushing to cover our mouths at the same time—which, of course, makes us giggle more.
Juniper inclines her head towards the bedroom door, and we sneak out together, leaving Ethan to rest. After all, he worked hard last night.
We go to the kitchen, and Juniper boils the kettle for our coffee. She flits around the room like a sparrow, light on her feet, hopping to and fro with a happy little air about her, sweet and warm despite the cold.
“I’ve been thinking.” She passes me a mug, and I cup it between my hands, taking in the warmth and that unmistakable morning coffee scent.
Juniper smiles dimly at her own mug nestled in her hands.
“What’s up?” I ask.
“This week has been amazing,” she says, “and I’m excited for the summer. I kinda can’t wait to see you again already.” She blushes.
I’m excited too.
Her smile drops, and she opens her mouth to say something else but stops herself.
“But?” I prompt her gently.
She lifts her chin, her expression bittersweet. “But I think maybe we should …” She pulls her gaze from me once more, and I put down my mug and cross the small space between us to hold her.
“No, I have to say this,” she says, getting a little choked up.
I step back. “Okay.” I swallow. No matter what comes next, I can handle this. I’m almost certain I can.
“Maybe we should have a rule.” She looks so serious. It makes me want to make a joke, to help her crack a smile or something, but I remain silent, listening, strong. “I think what happens at Holly Hill should stay at Holly Hill,” she says finally. A small chuckle escapes her. “You know like … what happens in Vegas?” She throws me a small smile. “I want to be with you. And Ethan.”
I nod.
“But I’m also not looking for something long-term, y’know?”
I bow my head.
“No, Mia, please.” She cups my face in her hands, her watery gaze finding mine. “I want to be with you, like this, again. And again. And again,” she adds teasingly, and I manage a small smile. “I’m just not looking for a proper relationship right now …”
I let out a breath then nod. “Okay,” I tell her. That’s not so bad.
“So like, maybe we can, I dunno … press pause when we leave here, then …”
I quirk an eyebrow at her. “Press play when you visit us back in England?”
She nods, biting her lip.
“Okay,” I say, tears welling.
