Juno, but I’ve always been like that with her. Plus, I felt like after Brigette was so forceful about getting Juno’s number and going to the dance studio, I wanted to convey to her that I was sorry. My guilt is always right under the surface since my engagement.
I pocket my phone as Brigette walks by me into exam room three without saying a word. I guess I have my answer as to what was wrong with her this morning.
I have no time to talk to Brigette all day until we’re walking across the square to Tap Your Feet Dance Studio.
“Hey.” I stop her before we cross the street. “I think we should talk.”
“What about?”
“I’m pretty sure you saw Buzz Wheel.”
Her smile drops. “I did, but it’s fine. It’s just gossip.”
I want to talk this out, but she appears fine with ignoring the blinking neon elephant between us. “I still think we should talk.”
She looks over my shoulder, her arm raised. “Later. They’re here.”
“Who?”
I turn and my eyes narrow. Juno and Jason are walking down the sidewalk toward us.
“I thought this was a no-go?” I ask through clenched teeth.
“I got a hold of both of them earlier. I thought you’d be happy that your best friend could make it today.” A toddler could hear the sarcasm in Brigette’s tone.
As Juno and Jason approach, the question begs to be answered. For whose benefit did she invite them: hers or mine?
Twelve
Juno
Entering the dance studio above Sweet Suga Things, it’s clear this was a bad idea. The only one comfortable one of us is Brigette, who is overly enthusiastic about the four of us double dating. I’m surprised Jason even agreed to go out with me again, but he’s been nothing but courteous since he picked me up.
“Oh hi, Juno, how is everyone?” Mrs. Johnson asks when she spots me. “I saw Liam and Savannah the other day out on a walk. Liam said it was his first day back at work and he didn’t want to leave them, so he convinced Savannah to bring the little one to visit.” She chuckles.
“Yeah, I haven’t had nearly the time I’d like to see the new babies.” Which is true. Phoenix called me today, and I signed up for a shift on Thursday afternoon with Savannah. Phoenix said she might just knock Savannah out if she has to go over there again and be lectured on how to keep the changing area organized.
“They’re only young once. Now, Mr. Johnson said you two were in and picked out Colton’s suit already?” Yeah, Mrs. Johnson is Mr. Johnson’s wife. She’s only directing her attention to Colton and myself, which leaves Brigette and Jason to stand idly by like outsiders.
“I did,” Colton says.
“And I heard Juno got a little gushy?” She touches my arm. “Now you see why we all cry when your brothers and sisters marry. When you’ve known someone and watched them grow, it’s emotional.”
I side-glance at Colton, who rocks back on his heels.
“I just made fun of his Oreo braces from when we were kids.” I direct my response to Brigette, who gives me a small smile that barely lifts the corners of her lips. “Honestly, it wasn’t like that, and my grandma—”
“Are you ready for us, Mrs. Johnson?” Brigette interrupts.
My shoulders fall. She’s obviously upset, and I can’t blame her. I saw the Buzz Wheel article Saturday night.
“Oh yes. You’re a taskmaster, huh?” Mrs. Johnson pinches Brigette playfully, but Brigette stares at the spot on her arm. “That’s a good quality, Colton.”
Mrs. Johnson waves us into the studio that’s lined with windows that face the square. The hardwood floors are shiny and polished, and there are benches along the interior wall—which look like a really good spot to lie down.
“You’re all my early birds, so I’ll put on some music and you can get those hips warmed up while we wait for the others.”
“Great,” I say without enthusiasm. If physical education teachers could fail a student for their lack of rhythm, I would’ve failed square dancing.
She turns on Frank Sinatra’s, “Fly Me to the Moon” and Jason holds out his arms to me.
“I should preface this by saying that I’m more of a sidestep kind of dancer.”
He laughs and wraps one arm around my waist while securing my hand in his. His form is rigid, so I try to do the same. “Just let me lead.”
He steps forward—right on my toe because I guess I was supposed to step back.
“Sorry.” I stare down at