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Prologue
Junie
Four Months after Junie walked out on Ben.
I stand here lookingat the bar and I smile with pride. It’s mine. Every fucking bit of it is mine, even the one thousand and some change payment every month. I don’t care though. I’ll work my fingers to the bone to make this business a success.
I’m standing outside of what used to be Elaine’s Tavern. The bar needs some updates, but the bones of the place is good. I already had a meeting with a construction foreman, so renovations will begin next week. I’m being conservative on the work inside. Other than a small stage and the kitchen area being overhauled so that it actually works, that’s about it. The tables inside aren’t great, but they’re good enough and the same with the barstools and bar top. This exterior however, I’m going to make a covered patio in the main front with pergolas off to the side and plenty of tables outside. I’ll add planter boxes and climbing flowers to make it pretty and a place people will want to relax and grab a sandwich. I also want a real neon sign. I just need to figure out a name, and I think I’ve finally settled on that in my head.
Elaine’s Last Chance Bar And Grill.
I never much liked my name. Elaine should be remembered, and I can admit to feeling a tad guilty that some of my blood and Atticus’s is the same. Plus, this is it. This is my last chance. I’m tired of being unsettled, and I’m tired of fighting. This is my last chance to make a real home. If it fails, then I cave. I’ll just travel wherever and not worry about putting down roots. But… I have a good feeling about this. I think this is what I’m supposed to do and where I am supposed to be. Besides, I have all that hush money from my ex’s attorney just collecting dust. It seems right that the man who tried to destroy my life would have to pay for my new beginning.
A smile forms on my lips. My first real smile since the sheriff threw me for a loop. As if I conjure him up by will, I hear his bike before I even see him. I turn just as he makes the exit and comes to a stop in front of me. Immediately the smile dies.
I hate that I liked this man. And when I say liked, I meanreallyliked. For the first time in my life, I think I might have begun to believe in…love.Not that I was in love, that would have been stupid, and I’m not a stupid girl. Although, it would appear that sometimes I am—especially where men are concerned.
“I heard you bought this place. I guess that means you’re sticking around,” Ben says, once he shuts his bike down.
“I guess that’s what it means,” I respond, keeping any hurt or anger I might still feel out of my voice.
Never show weakness to those that hurt you. I can’t forget that rule.
“You’ve been dodging my calls, Junie.”
I look at Ben, his eyes hidden from me by his sunglasses. I hate that he still looks so good. There should be a law that when a man hurts you he should turn ugly as a mud fence overnight.
“No, I haven’t.”
“I’ve been calling you and you haven’t been answering,” he says, arms crossed at his chest as he leans back on the bike.
“I know. I haven’t been answering them, because I don’t have anything to say.”
“I’ve been trying to apologize, but every time I see you out, you disappear before I can talk to you.”
“Merely a coincidence,” I respond with a shrug.
“And the not answering my phone calls?”
“Sheriff, I appreciate the gesture and the messages, but honestly, we don’t have anything to say to one another.”
“Junie—”
“June. My family call me Junie, Sheriff. We’re just… acquaintances.”
“Damn it, I know I fucked up, but if you would just let me explain—”
“There’s nothing to explain. We’re both broken, I just didn’t realize it in time. You were trying to force yourself to heal with me, when the woman you really wanted was out of reach, and I was just using you to try and not feel at all.”
“Is that the way you want to play this, Juniper?”
“I’m not playing anything, Sheriff. I’m just stating the facts.”
“Now, if you don’t mind. I need to get back inside. They’re starting renovations soon and I still have some things to do to get ready.”
“It doesn’t have to be this way, Junie,” he says, his voice going soft.
“It does. I hate that you’re hurting, and I get that you lost a good woman, because Luna is that. I hate that for you, but I have my own demons, and I need to face them. I don’t have the time or the energy to try and help you face yours too, Sheriff. And I really don’t want to be a stand-in for another woman.”
