Though it might be fun to watch him squirm.
Maren bit her bottom lip at the thought.
Beside her on the couch, Mac was squirming. Poor guy. He’d tried so hard—coloring books, the big box of crayons, patient answers to every unicorn question—and now here he was, excluded from the party, like she was.
Mama.
Maren pushed back the memory of Juni calling out for Mira the night before. That was how it should be—Juniper should never forget she’d had a mother who loved her.
As much as I do.
No. More. How could Maren possibly love Juni more than Mira had?
It’s only right.
But it still hurt.
However, seeing Colin totally out of his depth was pretty hilarious.
Mac cleared his throat loudly from the couch.
Juni looked up from pouring invisible tea. “Yes, Mac?”
“I was just wondering,” Mac said, “if there might be room at this fine establishment for one more guest.”
“No,” Juni said, and went back to her pouring.
Mac’s mouth fell open. Colin’s shoulders shook.
“No?” Mac tried again. “Not even if I promise to use my very best manners?”
Juni considered this seriously. She set the teapot down and tilted her head. “Do you know how to hold your pinkie out?”
“I do.” Mac demonstrated from the couch, pinkie extended with great ceremony.
Juni studied him. “Okay. You can sit next to Colin.”
“Thank you kindly.” Mac slid off the couch and folded himself onto the floor beside Colin. Colin handed him a teacup without a word.
Maren tried her best not to laugh out loud at the look of smug victory on Mac’s face, and the still-uncomfortable one on Colin’s.
“Saucer?” Mac asked.
Colin passed him one.
“Cookie?”
“Don’t push it,” Colin muttered.
Maren pressed her hand over her mouth to hold back her laughter, shoulders shaking, eyes tearing up.
Juni poured Mac’s tea with intense concentration. “You have to sip it like this.” She demonstrated, pinkie out, her face very serious.
Mac copied her exactly. “Delicious. Is this Earl Grey?”
“It’s… um, it’s pearl pink, Mac. Gray tea isn’t pretty.”
Maren snorted.
