Leanne crossed her arms on her chest. She didn’t look impressed with me. Honestly, I didn’t blame her. This was completely my fault.
“What book?” June asked.
“Oh,” Samaya said, “they were trying to get this signed book for you.” She grinned at me. I suspected she’d brought this up in front of June just to see what would happen with Leanne.
June blinked. “You were getting me a book?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I was supposed to go to that signing for the Silverborn book while I was in Toronto. But since I ended up coming back here, my mom was going to buy it over the phone and have it mailed. I’m so sorry. I know you wanted that book.”
Rowan, who had no idea what any of this was about, still defended me. “It’s not your fault.”
I shook my head. “No,it is. Leanne was planning to go to Toronto to get it, but I told her I’d do it if she took my place in the Bloom. But then I waffled and came back, and now June can’t have the personalized book.” I sighed, looking at my feet. “I haven’t been a good friend to any of you this summer. I kept putting myself first, even though y’all have been so great to me.”
“Tahira!” June said, shaking her head. “Don’t youeven. Do you think I’d rather have a signed book thanyouhere for the Bloom? You’ve been a great friend! You’ve taught me about fashion, and merchandising, and I had the best summer ever because you were here!” She gave me a hug. Pulling back, she smiled. “I don’t even care if the book is personalized! I really just wanted one of the limited editions with the silver foilon the eyes. They’re only available on this book tour. I don’t know why I didn’t think to just call in to buy one—”
“Wait,” I interrupted. “Did you say silver foil on the eyes?”
June raised a brow. “Um, yeah, the main character in the Silverborn books has silver eyes. You really should read them. I know urban fantasy’s not your thing, but—”
“Oh my God.” I pulled out my phone. “Give me a second. I need to make a quick call.”
Rowan raised his brow at me. I smiled at him reassuringly while the phone rang.
“Hi, Kayla,” I said when my neighbor picked up.
“Tahira! Did you get that last drawing I sent you? Evan hasn’t taken the pencil crayons you gave me, so I did so much shading! They are so much better than the ones I used to—”
“Kayla, we can catch up later. I know this sounds super weird, but where are you right now?”
“I’m at a bookstore waiting in line to have the next Lexi Greer book signed. Why?”
I grinned huge. “Awesome! That’s what I was hoping you’d say. Any chance you could grab an extra copy for my friend? I’ll pay you back for the book.”
Kayla was with her mother, who took the phone. I explained everything to Kayla’s mom, asking her if she could have Lexi Greer sign the book to Juniper Johnston. I promised I’d e-transfer her the money right away, and I’d babysit Kayla’s brother if she’d mail the book to Juniper.
I smiled as I hung up the phone. “There. She’ll get the personalized book mailed off to you as soon as possible.”
Juniper did a little happy dance, then hugged me again. Leanne smiled.
“So, no hard feelings, Leanne?” I asked.
“No hard feelings, Tahira,” she said. “Junebug gets the book. And we all got to be in the Bloom.”
June suddenly turned to Leanne, tilting her head. “Wait, did Tahira say you were going to go all the way to Toronto just to get me abook?”
Leanne shrugged. “I mean, I would have preferred we went together. That would have been a much better first date, don’t you think?”
June’s eyes widened. “Better first date than what?”
“Better than burgers at Henry’s on Main last night?” Leanne said, slowly.
Samaya snorted behind me, so I elbowed her to shush.
June’s hand shot to her mouth. “Was that a date? That wasn’t a date!” She looked panicked. I wondered if I should step in to help her somehow. “That was just burgers! We’re friends! We ate hamburgers! And we made T-shirts. We’re not dating! You told me in December that you didn’t see me that way!”
Leanne stared at June for a few seconds, then let out an exasperated sigh and stepped closer to her, eyes focused on June’s shell-shocked face. “Juniper Jessica Johnston, I’m going to be super clear now,” she said. “You’re right, Ididn’tfeel this way in December. Idonow.” She took June’s cheeks in her hands and paused, looking into June’s eyes. “Was that clear enough for you? Or, how’s this: May I kiss you right now?”
June’s eyes got even wider, but she let out a quiet, clear yes.
