ton of money. She’s still working under Dr. Murphy and me because she’s recently graduated. Still, there’s enough room for her next to me. However, she grabs a sparkling water and sits on the floor across from me, crossing her legs and sipping her drink. I guess this is how it’s going to be.
“I should have told you about Juno.”
“That you love her, you mean?” she asks, eyebrows raised.
“No. I mean, I love her, yeah. She’s my best friend.” Which is all true. All these feelings coming to the surface have to be because of Juno trying to kiss me the night of the triple baby shower. That my subconscious is saying, “You finally have a chance at her, take it.”
“Is that all?” she asks.
I look at the carpeted floor, thinking about Brooklyn’s wedding and how she ended up finding Wyatt right after she was left at the altar. How happy they are now with their new baby.
“You’re going to have to trust me on the Juno thing, okay? We’ve been friends a long time and I think me getting married is just changing things. It’s weird for both of us.” I’m being as honest as I can, but Brigette’s slight scowl suggests she wants to dig more.
Our past is our past, in all truth. I don’t go prying into hers, so she shouldn’t pry into mine. What difference does it make?
“I have something I really need to talk to you about,” I say. “Dr. Murphy is going to call you into his office after the wedding.”
She sits up straighter, wrapping her arms around her legs. “Dr. Murphy? Why?”
“I mentioned to you how I want to eventually take over the practice once he retires? I want to buy him out and make Four Paws my own. He was on board before, but now he feels me marrying you changes things. I need you to reassure him it won’t.”
“Okay. What is he going to ask me?”
“He’s going to ask you if you see your life here in Lake Starlight.”
Her head falls back, and she winds it around as if her neck hurts. “I thought I’d be okay with that, but now with the Juno thing, it feels weird.”
“You have nothing to worry about.”
I know she hears the aggravation in my tone because she narrows her eyes at me. “You know.” She stands, placing her sparkling water on the table. “I never did ask you why you agreed to this arrangement.”
I should’ve known she wouldn’t let the Juno thing go. I’m not sure if she’s just too proud or if she’s worried that I won’t honor my commitment.
She picks up a rag and dusts the bookcase behind her, picking up knickknacks and picture frames that really should be packed up.
“I’m doing it as a favor to you because you asked.” I’m positive I told her that, but even so, the paperwork in the folder I’m holding feels as if it weighs about a thousand pounds right now.
“Really? Because I kind of wonder if you’re not doing it to get Juno jealous.”
I place the folder on the table and stand, needing to exert some energy by pacing before I tell her again that my relationship with Juno is none of her business.
Sure, maybe making Juno jealous is part of it, but I won’t tell Brigette that. At first, I was so pissed with Juno when Brigette asked me if I would want to marry her that I agreed on impulse. Then once the reality of what it would mean set in, proposing to Brigette seemed like a good way to force myself to get on with my life. Get over the one woman it seems I can never have. I’ve grown tired of pining away after something that’s never going to happen. I needed something more than just my willpower to snap me out of it. This seemed like it would do the trick.
“I’m doing this as a favor to you, so now I’m asking you, as a favor to me, to tell Dr. Murphy that you see your future here in Lake Starlight.”
“I’m not sure I feel comfortable now.”
“Then no marriage. No green card.”
She whips around. “I trust you with so much, why wouldn’t you tell me about her?”
This entire town thinks I’m madly in love with Juno—and they’re right. I am. But Juno’s not in love with me and I’m done with the pitying looks. I tried to push her out of her comfort zone. Tried to assure her I’d never