“I still can’t believe that,” Juniper blurted out.
“Can’t believe what?” Wren asked.
“That when the topic of my lingerie comes up she gets so uncomfortable she has to leave with her girlfriend.”
“I don’t know. Did you know she was seeing someone?”
“No! And did you see the way she changed the subject after you called out her girlfriend’s irritating comments pandering to Indigenous people?”
“I admit I did call her out, even though she obviously didn’t pick up on it. But don’t you think you may be reading too much into their dynamic? It doesn’t seem like they’retogethertogether. She didn’t introduce her as her girlfriend. Maybe they have something in common, and they’re just having some fun? I doubt she has any other friends around here.”
Juniper rolled her eyes at Wren’s attempt to rationalize.
“I’m sorry, Junie, she mentioned she already had plans tonight and asked if it would be okay to bring someone, and I didn’t think anything of it. I was just excited to see her again, and I didn’t realize you… you know.”
“Whatever, she can have her. I guess now we do know her type,” Juniper fumed while pulling out her phone.
Wren, apparently sensing the escalation of events, asked timidly, “You texting someone?”
Juniper was silent. She knew she had been caught, but she didn’t care. If Rowan was going to be out with someone then so was she.
“Junie, are you texting Jess?”After another silent pause, Wren continued, “Please don’t do that. I’m sorry I pushed you earlier about your feelings, I thought we were just teasing and having fun.”
“What?” Juniper asked defensively. “She said she wanted to see me, and if I get some free drinks and some attention from it, so what. She said she’s only ten minutes from here.”
Wren sighed, “I guess, but this feels like a lose/lose situation, Junie. There’s never no-strings-attached with Jess.”
When Jess finally showed up, Wren visibly grimaced.
“What’s up baby girl,” Jess directed at Juniper with a head nod as she approached the table.
“Hi,” Juniper responded coyly.
Wren attempted a smile, but it turned out more like a sneeras soon as Jess wrapped her arm Juniper and immediately looked back down at her phone.
Kyle approached the table and stopped abruptly as he noticed the new guest.
“Thank Creator, just in time,” Wren murmured under her breath.
Kyle gave a polite, but short, hello to Jess. He was aware of their past too. He made a show of dragging his eyes over to Wren’s before widening them.
“I know,” she acknowledged in a whisper. “Kyle, I think I might go with you if you have space?”
“Of course! Are you sure you want to go home now though, birthday girl? We could go some place else? I hate for you to put this outfit to bed already, especially not from someone else doing it.”
“Yeah, I think I’m ready to cuddle up in bed by myself. Maybe with my new vibrator.”
“Love that for you.”
Wren and Kyle laughed together as she gathered her things.
“Just give me a minute with Junie, and I’ll meet you outside.”
Wren pulled Juniper aside. “Are you going to be okay if I leave? I’m sorry I just don’t want to spend my birthday as a third wheel with Jess.”
“I’ll be fine. I can get Jess to take me home,” she responded.
Wren sighed, “That’s what I feared.”
