“Like five times.” Kenzie rolled her eyes.
Like Junie hadn’t listened to Kenzie wax on for hours about Seven Midnight. “There’s no need to be nasty. It’s worth telling five times.”
“You got us there.” Poppy let out a dreamy sigh from the couch. Her green face mask made her look like a slightly terrifying alien. “That is so romantic. And hot. Mostly hot. And of course, when you throw Cherry being there to witness the whole thing,.. it’s very satisfying.”
Disney Sing-Along played softly in the background, coloring books lay scattered across the coffee table, bowls of candy and popcorn sat everywhere, and half-painted nails dried on paper towels. This was exactly the kind of night she needed after the emotional rollercoaster of the last few days.
Still, her thoughts kept drifting back to Tanner. The way his hand had cupped the back of her neck. The way his body had felt pressed against hers. The low, rough sound he made when he finally pulled away. She wanted so badly to believe Kenzie was right. She wanted to let herself hope. But hoping was so dangerous.
Wish granted.
Junie could still hear the sexy tone of his voice. She shivered. Was it possible?
Kenzie leaned over and bumped her shoulder. “You’re still thinking about it, aren’t you?”
“Maybe,” Junie admitted, voice small. “I just… I’ve wanted him for so long. And been disappointed so many times. Do you think I’m reading too much into it? What if he was just caught up in the moment?”
Poppy snorted. “Sweetie, that man has been looking at you like you hung the moon and stars for years. He’s just been slow on the uptake. I think it’s because you were friends for so long. And it doesn’t help that you’re besties with his little sister. I’ve heard it can be really hard to make the shift from friends to lovers. At least, it is in all the romance books.”
Junie pressed her face mask down at the edges. “Maybe. But youknow, I’ve never thought of him as just a friend. I’ve loved him since I was a kid. I’ve always wanted to be special to him.”
Kenzie hugged Junie close. “Youhavealways been special to him. But the way people are special can change over time. Sometimes I think it’s better to start off as friends, you know? Like that old movie,When Harry Met Sally.”
“I’ll have whatever she’s having.” Poppy quoted the most memorable line in the movie. If she was trying to lessen the tension, it worked. They all burst out laughing.
“We should watch that tonight,” Junie said. Before she could pick up the remote, her phone rang on the coffee table. The screen lit up with Cherry’s name.
“On second thought, maybe we should watchWicked.” She turned her phone to her friends so they could see who was calling. Then again, Cherry almost never called her, except to order baked goods.
And never at night.
“I’m gonna answer it.”
“Be careful. Witches can hex people over the phone,” Poppy said, coming to her knees.
“No they can’t!” Kenzie said.
Before World War Three could start, Junie answered the phone. “Hello?”
“Junie? It’s Cherry.”
Now it was Junie’s turn to roll her eyes. Like she could mistake that sugary-sweet voice that always said the meanest things.
“Look, I didn’t know if I should say anything, but… do you remember when I said that Tanner would get together with me soon? Well, he’s taking me up on the offer.” The unbridled joy in Cherry’s voice made Junie nauseous. But Cherry wasn’t done. “I thought you should know, considering that kiss I saw. I told you Tanner could never be really satisfied with someone like you. You really shouldn’t let yourself be used like that. I’ve tried to warn you. Anyway, I thought it was only fair that you should know I’m playing with Tanner at The Red Barn tonight.”
Junie’s heart stuttered, and her insides went cold.Cherry lies, she reminded herself.
“Just a minute, Master,” Cherry called to someone. “Junie, are you there? I have to go. Tanner’s at the bar now, having a drink and talking to Roman Midnight. He told me not to call, but I just didn’t feel right about him doing those magically delicious things to me?—”
What are you, a box of Lucky Charms?
“—that I know he’s going to do unless I told you first. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you’re just not in my league, or Tanner’s, for that matter. Bye now.”
Junie put down the phone, staring blankly. She’d never been to The Red Barn, but people talked about it all the time. It was the only private DDlg/BDSM club within easy driving distance. It was members-only, and she wasn’t one. She knew where it was, though. Everyone in Wilder did.
The thought of Tanner being there with another woman, Cherry of all people, made it hard for her to breathe.
Kenzie and Poppy were both watching her with wide eyes.
