inch.
“Juno?”
My forehead falls to Jason’s chest and my hands fist his shirt. It’s over.
I look up and Jason is staring at my hands. I release the fabric of his shirt and smooth it to get the wrinkles out. “I’m so sorry.”
After a second or more, Harley says, “Juno.”
I remove my hands off his chest, turn around, and smile. “Brigette.”
Colton stares behind me, his jaw tense.
“Come and join us. Harley, can we have a table for four?” Brigette doesn’t need Harley though because she’s already taking the table next to hers and sliding it across the concrete, interrupting everyone’s meal with the screechy sound.
I sit down next to Brigette because she’s patting the chair nonstop and I look at Colton. It’s bad enough that we got into a fight earlier this week and haven’t talked. Now I have to share my dinner date with him.
Harley shoots me an expression wishing me luck when she hands us the menus. Boy, do I need it.
Nine
Colton
Juno smiles at Brigette and Brigette smiles back as though this is the best thing ever. She was mentioning to me how we should double date at some point with another couple. I said sure—but the last person I want to do that with is Juno.
“I’m Colton.” I put out my hand in front of the guy next to me.
“Oh sorry.” Juno shakes her head. “Jason, this is Colton and Brigette. This is Jason. He’s from Greywall.”
“Nice to meet you,” Brigette says.
He shakes my hand and makes eye contact, but his grip could be firmer if you ask me.
“Are you French?” Jason asks Brigette hearing her accent.
Here we go. Another conversation about the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
“I am.”
“What area are you from?” Jason asks.
“Marseille,” Brigette says.
His face lights up. “Really? I backpacked through Europe with some buddies after high school. We went all through the Calanques National Park.”
Now it’s Brigette’s eyes lighting up. She leans forward, her hand touching him because she talks with her hands nonstop. The two of them talk about Brigette’s town in the south of France while Juno buries her head in the menu as if she hasn’t eaten everything on there ten times over.
“Do you want me to trade spots?” I ask Jason. More so I have a reason to be across from Juno because then we can at least maybe have a civil conversation.
“Nah.” He looks at Juno. “Sorry, it’s just I’ve always said I’d go back there but never made it.”
“I’m hoping to drag this one over there this Christmas.” Brigette touches my arm. “So he can meet my family.”
Juno peeks up, catches my eyes, then looks at the menu again. “They’re not coming to the wedding?” She glances at Brigette only.
“No. Too hard to get away and it’s such a long trip. We figure we’ll marry here and then do another ceremony in front of my parents in France.”
“That’s a shame,” Juno says.
“You two are getting married?” Jason asks.
Brigette holds up her left hand where a conservative white gold band with an average-sized diamond rests.
“Congratulations,” he says. “When’s the big day?”
“In three weeks,” Juno answers.
Brigette glances from her to me with a questioning look as if she’s missed something. I shrug.
“Let’s order,” I say, raising my hand for the waitress.
“Oh, I haven’t even looked yet.” Jason picks up his menu. “What do you suggest, Juno?”
She shrugs. “I’m sure you’ll love anything. My brother’s an excellent chef.”
As though he heard his name, Rome walks out onto the patio. He stops at a few tables on the way to us, asking if they’re enjoying their meals. He laughs with a few customers and thanks everyone wishing him congratulations on the new baby because that hit Buzz Wheel the minute Harley bought a test at Don’t Be A Pill Pharmacy. Good thing that was the same day the news came out at the triple baby shower. They’ll be up to four kids and it still feels like Harley just popped into town sometimes.
“Juno.” Rome nods to his sister and eyes Jason.
I guess I should feel fortunate, since I’ve been a pseudo-Bailey my entire life, her brothers never gave me the third degree about anything.
“And you are?” Rome asks Jason.
“Give it a rest,” Juno mumbles.
“Hi.” Jason slides out his chair and slides his hand into Rome’s. “I’m Jason.”
Rome shakes his hand. “Hey, Colton, Brigette.”
Juno sighs.
Then she looks up to see if anyone heard her, but Rome quickly intercedes. He’s either covering for his sister or didn’t hear it. “How about the special tonight?”
Juno shuts