“Great!” Mikayla said brightly.
“Thanks, Juniper.” He held up the bag. “Mum will love it.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Bye, then.”
“Bye.”
“Bye! See you Saturday!”
“Mikayla!” Juniper hissed once William had left.
She widened her eyes, the picture of innocence. “What? It’s not a date.”
“Some help you are,” she grumbled as they walked back into the workroom.
“Rafael McKenzie! Get your hands off my cheese!”
“I bet you say that to all the boys.”
“Funny.” Mikayla sat down next to him, taking the cheese and cracker he was about to eat and popping it in her mouth. “What’re you doing here?”
He gestured towards the Tupperware container in the middle ofthe table. “I was just at your Mum’s and she wanted me to give these to Billy.”
“As if Billy needs any more cookies.” She ruffled Billy’s hair as he grinned at her around a mouthful of choc chip cookie.
“A boy can never have too many cookies,” Rafe stated.
“What a stupid thing to say. Of course, they can.”
“Nah —”
“Children, children. I’m trying to run a business here,” Juniper intervened, amused.
“Gotcha.” Rafe got to his feet, looking at Mikayla as he took a handful of cookies and put them in his pocket, his dark eyes daring her to protest.
She rolled her eyes, laughing. “Seeya tonight.”
“Seeya.”
Once he was gone, Mikayla picked up her paintbrush and idly dipped it in the red paint. She looked up at Juniper, considering her for a long moment. She knew Juniper was aware of her scrutiny and was avoiding eye contact. “I’m really looking forward to the music festival.” She glanced at Leah, with her head bent shyly over her work. Oh now, there’s a plan. “Leah, you should come with us.”
Leah looked up, startled. “Me?”
Mikayla, in her typical fashion, had taken to Leah on sight and was determined to befriend her. She looked very much in need of a good friend. “Yes, you! Don’t bother saying no. I know where you live.”
Leah laughed. “Alright, it sounds lovely.”
“Excellent. Well, Juniper might already have a date lined up, but maybe you and I can get lucky.”
Leah frowned with confusion. “You?”
“Ah yes, why not me?”
“Oh, because I thought you already had someone.”
It was Mikayla’s turn to frown with confusion. “Huh?”
