Page 69

We spend the rest of the late afternoon and evening driving through heavy traffic, following Freya, and realizing that every other place has so many more disadvantages stacked against it. I’m set on the first place we looked at, but it’s Juniper’s decision. And she keeps whatever she’s thinking to herself.

“I really like the first place,” I say, glancing at Juniper. We’re standing outside the last place for the evening, before we call it a night with Freya.

“I do too,” she says, but there’s lingering doubt in her voice.

I reach for her hands, pulling her aside. “Give us a minute,” I say to Freya.

“Of course.”

“What’s wrong? Are you having doubts?” I ask, trying to figure out why Juniper isn’t jumping with joy at the prospect of opening her own bookstore.

This is what she wanted, isn’t it?

“It’s a lot of money, Myles.”

She’s not wrong. The cost isn’t cheap, but the utilities are included, which is good for her, sucks for me. Honestly, I can afford it, though, much easier than she can. “Don’t worry about the money.”

“Easy for you to say,” she whispers, her eyes downcast.

I reach my thumb under her chin, guiding her gaze to mine. “I told you I’d take care of the cost. I meant it.”

Wordlessly, she nods.

“Do you want to sign the lease for the first place?”

Her nod grows and a smile spills out onto her lips. “I really do.”

Freya submits the application for us, and all through dinner, I just keep hoping that Juniper gets the shop and no one else is applying.

Sitting across from Juniper, there are a few sets of eyes on us as we decided to go out and grab sushi to celebrate.

It’s also the perfect opportunity to let our fake relationship flourish under real conditions, like paparazzi and patrons noticing us.

There aren’t nearly as many people taking pictures as our last date, when it had been announced publicly where we’d be going for dinner.

“This is nice,” Juniper says, her fingers grazing over the fancy cloth napkins. “I’ve never eaten here.”

“They have the best sushi,” I tell her. “Order whatever you want.”

We order a boat worth of sushi, which gets put together and brought out as one giant order. I don’t mind sharing, but I’m not sure how Juniper is with trying different types of food. We haven’t really established boundaries in all spaces.

“You’re welcome to any of mine,” I offer, making it clear that I’m happy to share.

“Oh good, because obviously I didn’t order enough,” she deadpans and rolls her eyes. “There is a ton of food, Myles. You’re welcome to try mine, but if you eat all mine and I don’t like yours, I’m ordering more on your dime.”

I chuckle under my breath. This girl hasn’t seen me really indulge in food. I could probably eat the entire boat worth of sushi and still make room for dessert.

Playing hockey makes me hungry. So does sex, but that’s not in the cards anytime in my near future.

“Tell me which is your favorite.” I grab my chopsticks and watch as she struggles to eat with hers. It’s cute that she’s trying. I’ll just have to take her out more often for sushi; she clearly needs practice.

She tries a piece from each roll before pointing at the one I ordered. “The king crab is by far the best.”

That’s my girl, expensive taste and after my sushi roll.

“You can have more of it,” I offer. “I can always order myself another.” I steal a piece of hers, so she doesn’t feel obligated to eat her own sushi that she ordered.

Her eyes silently plead with me. “Are you sure?”