Page 27 of The B Side

Juliet popped her head up, her dark eyes boring into Darcy’s. “No. I’m sorry that – that I didn’t tell you about the coming out. And that things got fucked up with the, the record companies. And especially with the paparazzi stuff. I never want to mess things up for you.” She lifted her hand, gently tracing over the sharp line of Darcy’s cheek.

The mark left from the camera scraping against her was long gone, but Juliet was looking at her so intently, it was like she could still see it.

Even though her words were a little thick from the alcohol mixed with her exhaustion, Darcy could hear the sincerity ringing through them.

She frowned, shaking her head slightly. Just enough to not dislodge Juliet’s hand, because it felt so nice to have her gentle touch. “You didn’t mess anything up for me.”

“Darcy,” Juliet’s exasperation was loud and clear.

“Juliet.”

“I uni – ugh. Un-i-laterally made this choice,” she sounded out, sounding irritated with herself for needing to take the pause. There was her typical Juliet. “And then you were hounded on the street by the paparazzi asshole. And We, The Romantics 2.0 is struggling to get off the ground. And–”

“I don’t care,” she cut Juliet off, sincerely. “I don’t care about any of that. Not the way I care about you. About us.”

Juliet’s eyebrows were deeply furrowed, like there was more she wanted to say. But she let out a jaw-cracking yawn, shaking her head as she shifted so she was half-on the mattress, half draped over Darcy, as she rested her head on the pillow.

“Okay,” she murmured. “Okay, then.”

“Okay then,” Darcy echoed. “I love you.”

Juliet blinked her eyes open once more, like she refused not to look at Darcy as she echoed, “I love you.”

Okay, then.

Chapter Six

Juliet had visited Pineford a handful of times over the last couple of years.

That first Christmas, sure. And then again when she’d come here to tell Darcy she loved her. And they’d come back to visit Blythe, Colton, and Emerson at least four or five more times.

Normally, though, they didn’t meander into town. She’d met Sandra at the bowling alley once before, too, but she hadn’t really mingled with anyone else who lived here.

Today, though, she was a member of the town.

Because it seemed like everyone who lived in Pineford was here, gathering near Blythe and Colton’s barn.

Waking this morning had been… rough.

The sun had been so fucking bright, and there was a literal rooster who’d been crowing. Darcy had already gotten up, but she’d left Juliet a glass of water, ibuprofen, and a little note that said there was a smoothie and breakfast put aside for her in the kitchen.

By the time Juliet had made her way there, the entire property was alive with wedding preparations underway.

And now, as Juliet had showered, dressed, done her hair and makeup, and felt mostly human, it was wedding time.

“Juliet! It was a damn miracle seein’ ya perform live last night! Never in my life thought I’d ever get to experience that! I couldn’t even get a ticket to see We, The Romantics, and I’ve known those girls my whole life.”

She turned around to see… some woman who did not look familiar to her in the least. But, hell, she seemed friendly and genuinely excited, and that was a lot more than Juliet could say about many of the people who’d tried to nab her attention in the last few weeks when she was in public.

She fixed on a small smile, which shockingly didn’t even take much effort. Still her public-persona smile, but it didn’t feel like plastic.

The woman’s dress was green – simple – and cute, and her husband wore a black embroidered western long-sleeved shirt.

He tipped his hat to her. “Man, I was so mad I got to Stardust late. They said I just missed ya.” He lit up. “Hey, are y’all planning on singing something today?”

“Not unless the bride and groom request it, Ricky,” Darcy’s voice came from behind Juliet. “I have to steal Juliet for a few. Family pictures.”

Whoever said that bridesmaids’ dresses weren’t supposed to be flattering… had never tried to put Darcy in one. She wore the burgundy A-line chiffon dress like she’d been born for it, and her heart fluttered slightly in her chest.