She touched his cheek, smiling her reassurance. He was clearly confused. “William, I’ve seen the men in your circle a million times. I’m not impressed by money. I don’t want to be whisked off in a helicopter or private jet to some exotic location like they do in the movies. I just want to spend some time with you, getting to know you. The real you. If you’re interested in that too, let me know when you get back and we’ll have a date.” She stepped back.
“I will.” He was gone on the words, stepping carefully across the yard and through the gate.
Juniper touched her fingertips to her lips, smiling to herself as she went back inside.
CHAPTER 6
Juniper
“Mummy, you look so pretty!”
Juniper turned her back to the mirror, looking over her shoulder, trying to get a good look at the back view. She was wearing a knee-length cream lace dress, that cinched in at the waist with a tan colored belt.
“Billy’s on to it, girl. You look smokin’.” Mikayla pulled a corn chip from the bag and bit into it with a loud crunch before holding the bag out to Leah.
Juniper looked at Leah uncertainly. She was the one with the most fashion skills. Leah dusted corn chip crumbs from her fingers and rose from her seat next to Mikayla at the foot of Juniper’s bed. She moved to the wardrobe, the doors already hanging open and its contents trawled through. “Yes, that’s the right dress, but you need…” she hunted around on the floor of the wardrobe “these!” She held a pair of tan colored sandals. “And I think you should wear your hair down.”
“Really? I think it’s a bit more formal if I pull it up like this?”
“Exactly.”
She surveyed herself in the mirror again and sighed. “I hate not knowing where he’s taking me. I don’t know how to dress for it.”
“He said casual and it’s a day date, so hair out, that dress, these shoes.” Leah moved to the jewelry box on the dressing table and riffled through. “And these earrings. Perfect.”
She’d just tied the strap on her sandal when she heard the knock at the front door. Her heart thudded uncomfortably, and she felt strangely nervous. “Oh God, he’s here.” She hastily pulled the pins out of her hair and fluffed at it, trying to get it to sit right.
“Relax, you look great.” Mikayla crunched on another corn chip as she got to her feet. “Super hot guy who’s seriously got the hots for you is taking you someplace unknown to do God-knows-what with you. What’s to stress about?”
Juniper laughed, which eased her nerves a little. Taking a deep breath, she said, “You’re right. Of course, you’re right.” She smoothed her hands down the front of the dress, grabbed her handbag from the dressing table, and went to answer the door. She’d just pulled it open when Billy snuck out from behind her.
“William! I’m eating corn chips!”
“Are you buddy? That’s great.”
“You want some?”
“Ah, no thanks.” He was dressed in beige cargo shorts, a light blue linen button down shirt and loafers. Phew, she was dressed appropriately. “I’ve got something for you though, if your Mum says you can have it.” He was holding one hand behind his back, so with the other, he reached into his pocket and took out a chuppa chup. He looked at Juniper with a brow raised in inquiry. She gave the go ahead and he handed it over to Billy.
“What do you say?” She said warningly when Billy moved to run away.
“Thanks!” And he was off. “Mikky! William gave me a lollypop!”
“I’ve got something for you too.” Pulling his arm from behind his back, he presented her with a bunch of sunflowers.
“Oh, my favorite! How did you know?”
“I didn’t. I just picked them from the patch at your front fence. Didn’t want to blow any of my budget on flowers.”
She laughed. “Thank you, they’re lovely.”
“I’ll take those, so you guys can get going.” Mikayla appeared next to her, grabbing the flowers from her hands and heading to the kitchen for a vase.
“Oh, okay. Thanks. Bye, Leah, thanks for your help!”
“No worries!” Leah called from the bedroom, where she was studiously reorganizing the wardrobe.
“You kids have fun now,” Mikayla said from the kitchen.
