We collapse in a heap, Juniper practically on top of me, and we’re all so stunned we burst into raucous laughter.
“You’ll be fine?” I ask her through my giggles.
Her pale cheeks turn a bright red. “Er …”
Ethan takes my hand, and hers, then pulls us both to standing.
Juniper winces, dusting herself off. “Oh-kaaaaay, maybe I’ll give it a minute.”
I shake my head, smiling. “Yeah. Good idea.” Then a small pit lodges itself in my stomach.
I’ll just have to wait a little longer …
But then Ethan tells her, “Stay as long as you like.” And I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little taken aback. I mean, there’s being polite, then there’s inviting a near stranger to tag along with us on our first night away in god knows how long.
Stay as long you like?
I frown.
Stay as long as youneedwould make more sense, surely.
Or better yet, let’s give it five minutes then try again …
Juniper smiles shyly. “Okay. But just until it’s—”
“Less fucking mental?” Ethan suggests.
“Yeah.” She laughs. “Mental. I like that.”
“Do Americans not—”
“We tend to say crazy.” She shrugs. “Or wild. But I am just a sucker for a British accent.” She swoons.
“Looks like we came to the right place then.” Ethan grins, crossing the room to call dibs on the sofa. Is he flirting with her right now?
I plonk down next to him, assuming Juniper will follow, but—
“I’ll just …” She heads for the hallway.
“You don’t have to make yourself scarce. Honest,” Ethan tells her. He is. Fucking hell. I mean, we’ve both fancied the same women in the past—celebrities mostly, but there’s been the odd occasion in real life—but this is just weird. He is so at ease with her already. Damn. I almost feel like a third wheel.
“Um, yeah. You can hang out here if you want?” I back him up.
“Urgh.” Juniper groans, dropping her face in her hands. “I’ve already messed up so bad.” She shakes her head. “Willow would totally kill me if she found out I was still here.”
Ethan and I exchange a look, and— Fuck it. “Then she won’t find out,” we both say at the exact same time.
I grin. And we’re back on the same page.
Juniper peeks through the gaps between her fingers at us. Ethan nods, and I present to her the empty side of the sofa where there is just enough room for one more.
And so we sit.
And wait.
And wait some more …
Chapter Three
