Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
APOLLO
A fter a few days of only seeing June late at night, when she drives over to my place, crashes, and then leaves before the sun is up, I’m ready to see her at tonight’s Halloween party.
Sure, I won’t be able to touch her as freely as I’d like to because no one knows that we’re together yet, but at least I’ll be near her, hear her laugh, and be able to enjoy her.
She didn’t want me to see what her outfit looks like for tonight, so she went to Annabelle’s house early in the afternoon to get ready, and I’m headed over to Luna’s to finish getting ready myself and ride over with my sister and Wolfe.
All the lights in the inn are on as I bypass it and park in front of the house that’s attached to the lighthouse, where Luna and Wolfe live. I knock twice and then let myself in.
“Where are you guys?”
“I’m in the kitchen,” Wolfe calls out, so I head that way. He’s in his suit and hat, and he’s wearing those cool black shoes that have a white thing that hangs over them. I don’t know what it’s called.
“You look dapper,” I say as he turns and takes in my own costume.
“Same goes.” He grins when he spots my baker-boy cap. “I like your hat.”
“I’ve never had a reason to wear pinstripes.” I glance down at my brown suit. “But I kind of like it.”
“I’m ready.”
A breathless Luna marches into the kitchen, stops short, and smiles at both of us.
“You two are handsome. ”
“That dress is amazing.” It’s royal blue with silver sequins and silver fringe that sparkles when she walks. Her hair has little waves in it, and she’s wearing a headband with a blue feather that matches her dress.
“It’s heavy,” she says with a laugh. “And I hate bright red lipstick, but it was all the rage a hundred years ago. Are we ready?”
“As we’ll ever be,” Wolfe says. “Zeke’s meeting us there.”
“Awesome, let’s go.”
We ride together so we take up less parking space, and when we walk up to the front of the house, Wolfe whistles long and low.
“I didn’t think they could outdo last year’s Disney theme,” Luna says. “But I was wrong.”
The front of the house looks like an old-fashioned storefront. The windows advertise women’s dresses for less than two dollars and men’s shoes for three dollars in bold, vintage writing.
When we get to the front door, a little cutout slides open, and we can only see a set of eyes.
“What do you want?”
“Password,” Luna whispers to me.
“Just looking for some candy canes,” I say, and then the cutout slides shut, the door opens, and we’re gestured inside. A heavy, black curtain hangs across the entrance, but when it’s pulled back, it unveils one hell of a party being had.
“It’s totally a speakeasy,” Luna says with laughter. “We even had to use the password.”
Annabelle’s Victorian-style home is sprawling, and she doesn’t waste even an inch of space. The bar is busy, the dance floor hopping, and people are laughing and talking in groups throughout the first floor of the house.
“You’re here!” Sarah and Tanner join us, both of them dressed similarly to the rest of us, just in different colors. “This is so fun. They even made us use the password. I didn’t think it was a real thing.”
“Annabelle doesn’t play around, even when she’s playing around,” Tanner reminds her. “Let’s hope the cops don’t crash the party and take us all to jail.”
“Speaking of the cops, check out Cullen.” I point to where June’s brother is standing across the room, dressed head-to-toe in a vintage police uniform. He even has the domed helmet-looking hat and a huge handlebar mustache that looks damn uncomfortable.
“There’s June!” Luna jumps up and down and rushes through the crowd to hug June before dragging her back toward us, and all I can do is stand here and stare like an idiot.
She’s wearing a green flapper dress with silver fringe that hugs every amazing curve of her body. Silky green gloves cover her arms up over her elbows, and she’s holding a long, black cigarette stick, complete with the cigarette. Her red hair is tucked up in a little bob, and she’s wearing dark eyeliner and bright red lipstick.
Jesus, she’s gorgeous.
“Wow,” Sarah says, grabbing June’s hand and making her spin. “That outfit is out of this world.”
“Grandma expects us to go a little over the top,” June says with a shrug. “Did you see Cullen’s uniform?”
“It’s awesome,” Luna says with a nod. “How did she get an entire speakeasy in here?”
“She has her ways,” is all June says. When she glances toward me, her green eyes turn hungry as they quickly skim over my body, but then she glances away again. “I’m not allowed to divulge any of those ways to you, either. Sorry.”
“I like your dress.” It’s a simple statement, and I want to say much more, but there are too many people around.
“Thanks. Your suit doesn’t suck at all. I’m shocked.”
There she is, being sassy, and it makes me laugh.
“You guys weren’t kidding.” Zeke joins us, holding a glass of whiskey. “This party is insane . I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“That’s right, this is your first one,” I say to Zeke, who looks like he’s just walked into the Met Gala. “It’s a shock to the system, isn’t it?”
“You have no idea.” He glances to his left and then sighs. “Shit. She’s here.”
“Who?” Luna looks around, frowning. “Who’s here?”
“Let me guess,” Wolfe says with a smile. “Cherry Dubois.”
Zeke blows out a breath, and Luna frowns at him. “What’s wrong with Cherry? I’ve known her all my life. She’s super nice.”
“She’s been faking it,” Zeke says. “I can assure you she’s not nice. ”
I laugh because, as he’s been talking, Cherry has been making her way over to us and has come to a stop next to Zeke. “Well, look what the cat dragged in,” she says, looking him up and down. “They let you in here?”
“I had the password,” Zeke says through clenched teeth.
“You should enjoy yourself,” Cherry continues. “The music is loud enough to make us all go deaf and there’s plenty of liquor.”
“Wow, she’s meaner to him than I am to you,” June mumbles as she steps closer to me. Everyone is too enthralled by Cherry and Zeke flinging insults back and forth to each other to notice her shift. “It’s kind of fascinating.”
“You’re fucking gorgeous,” I whisper so low that only she can hear. “How am I supposed to keep my hands to myself all evening with you looking like that?”
“Let’s go dance,” she suggests. “Then you don’t have to.”
Without waiting for her to change her mind, I take her hand and lead her out to the dance floor. Thank the gods that the band starts a slow song, and I pull her into my arms and breathe her in.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” It’s a low whisper in her ear. “People will get the impression that you like me.”
“It’s just a dance.” She takes a long, deep breath and lets it out slowly as we sway from side to side. “If people talk about a dance, they have too much time on their hands.”
“We live in a small town. A dance is a big deal, but I’ll shut up now so I don’t talk you out of it.”
We move across the floor, ignoring everyone and everything around us, and when the song comes to an end, I dip her back and watch as she laughs.
“Don’t drop me,” she says as I pull her back to her feet.
“I’d never let you fall.”
I want to kiss the top of her head, but I hold myself back, already nervous about what everyone is going to say about us dancing. Only, when we get back to the group, it’s as if they didn’t realize we left.
“She’s a pain in the ass,” Zeke insists, still obviously talking about Cherry.
“You know, they say that if you have to insist so hard that you don’t like someone, it’s usually because you’re talking yourself out of liking them,” Luna says. “Which tells me that, although Cherry may get on your nerves from time to time, you like her.”
“I’m going to get another drink,” Zeke mutters and stomps away.
“Ten bucks says they’re sleeping together before the end of the year,” Tanner says.
“I’m not taking that bet,” I reply, shaking my head. “Because I’d lose. They’ll definitely be sleeping together soon. Maybe tonight.”
“I don’t think so,” Sarah says. “She really doesn’t like him. Trust me when I say that, if a woman has decided she doesn’t like a guy, there’s no way in hell she’ll get naked with him.”
The humor in June’s eyes matches mine, but we both manage to keep from laughing.
“Damn it.”
Walking into the first job site Monday morning, I’m met with the view of June’s fine ass, encased in classic coveralls, as she bends over a saw.
“What seems to be the problem?”
“Shit!” She jerks up, clutching at her chest, and glares at me. “Why do you always do that to me?”
“Maybe because you’re always bent over something. What’s wrong with the saw?”
“Wires were stripped on it,” she mutters, glaring down at the saw. “They didn’t look like that on Friday.”
The hair on the back of my neck stands up. “So, who was in here over the weekend and ruined your tool?”
June blows out a breath and rubs her eyes with the heels of her hands. “Probably the kid I fired last week. He should have just stolen it. Then, at least, it wouldn’t have gone to waste.”
“Do you have proof?”
“No.” She drops her hands and props them on her hips. “Nothing else is messed with, just this. Which is weird, right? Wouldn’t you think that, if someone went through the trouble of coming here to destroy stuff, they’d ruin everything? Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad they didn’t, but this is petty. You’re an electrician. Come look at this and tell me if you can fix it.”
I move past her and look over the damage. “If this were a newer model, I could probably rewire the whole saw in about an hour, but this one is older, so I’m not sure. You might be better off replacing it.”
“I was going to wait until after the first of the year to do that so I could put it on next year’s taxes.”
I grin. “I kind of love that you think of things like that.”
“Yeah, well, I guess it’ll be going on this year’s return. What are you up to?”
“Working and flirting with you. Two of my favorite things.”
“No.” She holds up her hand and presses it to my chest. “No flirting on the job. How many times do I have to remind you? It’s unprofessional.”
“You’re the one touching me . ” I take her hand and kiss her palm. “Besides, I hardly saw you all weekend.”
“I had to help clean up from the party, and I wanted to spend some time with Lauren before she went back to Vegas this morning. Since the exterminator came and took care of the mice and a family of squirrels in the attic, I don’t mind sleeping there when I have to.” She licks her lips as she shuffles her feet. “But, I can admit, I’d rather sleep at your place.”
“Then I hope you’ll be back tonight.”
“Yeah.” She nods and looks around to make sure no one’s watching us. “I will. It’s been a crazy morning, and I’m a little hangry, so I’d better go find something for lunch.”
“Why don’t you let me buy you lunch. How does the diner sound?”
“I’d give my right kidney for a cheeseburger,” she says. “But it’s not a date.”
“Call it whatever you want, and I’ll call it a date if I want to.” I laugh when she scowls at me. “Come on, grumpy girl, let’s feed you before you commit murder.”
Fifteen minutes later, Sunny takes our order, and I sit back in the booth, watching Juniper as she looks around the diner as if she’s searching for someone.
“What’s wrong? Don’t want to be seen with me?”
This has her looking a bit guilty as her attention comes back to me. “I’m sorry. It’s so stupid. I never should have told you that we can’t tell people we’re together. It feels like I’m in too deep to change the rules and let the whole town see us be all mushy and kissy face. The last thing I want is for Luna and Sarah to find out from someone other than me because it’ll hurt their feelings.”
“Luna might kill us.” Not really, but the way Juniper’s eyes widen in fear is adorable. “Her brother and her best friend have been doing the horizontal mambo for weeks and haven’t bothered to tell her. In fact, they’ve been lying and vehemently denying it the whole time. Yeah, she’ll be a little pissed.”
“I’m dumb.” She buries her face in her hands. “I’m really dumb.”
“Nah. You just didn’t plan on catching feelings for me on top of enjoying the sex.”
Her head snaps up. “I am not catching feelings.”
“It’s okay. You can admit it.”
“No way. It’s not happening.”
I move to hold her hand, and she pulls it back out of my reach, making me raise an eyebrow.
“Good sex doesn’t equate to feelings of any kind.”
“No, it doesn’t, but looking at me the way you do does. Wanting to spend time together does. Needing to be close to you, to hear your voice and tell you about my day does , Juniper. The sex is just a very fun perk.”
She lets out an annoyed huff. “Well, shit. When did that happen?”
“It’s been happening; you’re just too stubborn to admit it.”
“You.” Our heads swivel as that asshole Eric storms across the diner toward us, his eyes shooting daggers in June’s direction. “What did you do?”
“About what?” June’s voice doesn’t waver, and her face looks bored as she looks up at the man. “And hello. It’s not nice to see you. I thought you went back to New York where you belong.”
“You’re buying the property I wanted.”
“That’s a personal matter and none of your business.”
“ Bullshit! ” He bangs his fist on the table, and I lean toward him.
“Watch yourself.”
“You snatched that property out from under me, and I want you to sell it to me for what you paid for it.”
“Not in this, or any other, lifetime.” June shakes her head, never once dropping her indifferently deadpan look. “Who do you think you are, anyway? No one here gives a flying fuck about your money or where you come from.”
“Do you think I can’t make you sell?” His voice is only rising, and the other people in the diner are openly gawking now. “I’ll make your life a living hell until you give me what I want.”
“You can try,” June says, smiling sweetly. “But, in case you’re slow on the uptake, which I suspect you are, I’ll remind you that I don’t have to do anything. So, go away.”
“I’ll fucking ruin you, you little cunt.”
My sudden appearance in front of him has him stepping back, which shows he isn’t a complete idiot. I’m three inches taller and outweigh the little prick by fifty pounds.
“Enough,” I say. “You won’t speak to her like that. Your business plan is done. Pack up your shit and get the hell out of here.”
“Or what?”
“Or you and I can take it outside and I’ll show you exactly or what . Do you think you don’t have a dozen cell phones recording you right now? I’m pretty sure that your threats have warranted a call to the cops, and June’s brother is the cops. And in case you missed it, no one’s going to sell to you, not now that the whole town knows what you planned to do here. You’ve been blacklisted in Huckleberry Bay, man. Go find another town to terrorize. It won’t work here.”
He wants to punch me. I can see it in his eyes as they burn with fury, and I wish he’d try it, because I’d have him knocked out and on the floor in a fucking heartbeat.
Instead, he marches away and out the door.
“Before you say anything”—I sit back down and hold my hands up—“I know that you had that handled. You’re a badass, and you don’t need me sticking my nose in, but if you think I’ll sit here while anyone speaks to you that way, you don’t know me very well.”
She starts to speak, but then clears her throat. “Okay. Well, I guess that confrontation was going to happen sooner or later. Do you think he’ll leave town?”
“He’d be stupid to stay after threatening you like that. If anyone had still been willing to sell to him, which no one was, they won’t be once they find out about what he just said.”
“Good. He’s a jerk, and we don’t want him here.”
“Agreed.”
“Your lunch is on the house, honey,” Sunny says as she sets our baskets in front of us. “If someone has to deal with the likes of that , they should get a free meal. Enjoy.”
“Thanks! Free cheeseburgers taste even better,” June says with a grin, and Sunny heads to her next table as June’s eyes find mine. “And thank you, too. That was kind of hot, actually. You didn’t even have to touch him, and he was scared of you.”
“He was pissed off more than anything.”
“No, I think if you’d raised your fist, he would have pissed himself. Does it make me a bad person that I kind of wish that had happened?”
“Maybe a little vindictive, but not bad.”