Theo closed the door behind him, and Juniper felt a look of smug nonchalance creep across her face. She continued to stare directly at Rowan, who was growing increasingly more uncomfortable by the minute.This was going to be fun.
“So,” Juniper began with a tone dripping in sarcasm, “you have your ownprivateoffice?”
Rowan sighed frustratedly and scratched the back of her neck as she looked away.
“I don’t know, Junie, I haven’t even seen it yet.”
Juniper let out a scoffing chuckle. “Surprised that wasn’t part of the package you negotiated for yourself. And we’re not kids anymore. You can call me Juniper.”
Okay, that felt a little mean,but whatever. It’s the truth.It also let Rowan know that for years she’d been silently watching hercareer take off.
Rowan’s eyes darted to hers, and Juniper could see she hit a sore spot.Good. In response, Juniper leaned forward, rested her elbows on the very edge of the arms of the chair and threaded her fingers together in her lap.
“That’s how it’s going to be…Juniper?” Rowan responded, punctuating the pause intentionally.
“How what’s going to be?” Juniper feigned innocence with a smirk and leaned in even further.
Rowan shook her head at the antics but didn’t take the bite.
“This is really important work, Juniper. I’m proud of you.”
Proud of her? That pissed her off even more. She wasn’t some child who needed praise from someone wiser and more accomplished than her.
“Oh yes, Rowan, your approval meansthe worldto me. I've been dying for you to come back into my life just to validate my existence.”
“Would you rather me be shitty to you instead? Like how you’re being towards me.”
Rowan sat back in her chair, crossed her arms over her chest, then one leg over the other. The subtle shift in energy was enough to momentarily disarm Juniper.
She let her gaze wander over Rowan’s face, taking in the way her short hair emphasized all her favorite – formerly favorite – things about her face. Her rounded cheekbones, the angle of her jaw, the feminine curl of her black eyelashes as they framed the deep brown almond-shaped eyes that stared melancholically back at her. That beautiful and handsome face that held so much more behind it. She was somehow all over the place and spiraling at the same time and couldn’t control the impulsive vulnerability that spilled out of her mouth next.
"Have you thought about me at all, Rowan?"
"Of course I've thought about you," Rowan responded earnestly, barely above a whisper.
And yet, there was such a sincerity in the way Rowan responded to her. It confused her. Or maybe she was moreconfused about the way she felt about that sincerity. She leaned back from the table and crossed one leg over the other, similarly to the way Rowan had moments before. This was a battle of forced distance and closed off body language.
"Not enough to reach out though."
At that quick and successful jab, Rowan dropped her hands to her lap, almost like she’d deflated.
Juniper continued. "Social media is a thing, now. You know. Obviously. You're all over it these days." She paused. "And I'm easy to find."
"I...I did look you up. You're the first person in my search bar."
Juniper gave a quick smile that didn't meet her eyes.
"But there wasn't quite enough there for you still… to make you hit the follow button? Or to message me?"
Why was she even saying these things? Of course she hadn’t been enough for Rowan to reach out. She hadn’t been enough for Rowan to care about the first time, what would be different ten or fifteen years later?
Rowan kept her eyes trained on Juniper's, but she didn't say anything.
"No, it's okay. You don't have answers. Fuck," Juniper sighed out a laugh and shook her head, "you don't even have attempts. You've always known where to find me. I've never been anywhere but here."
“I’m sorry. I really am so sorry, Junie–” She corrected herself, “Juniper. Sorry.”
“Weak. You can leave now.” Juniper smirked. “Again.”
