Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
Juniper
It’s difficult to dress up in Star Falls.
Partly because everyone you run into will ask you why you’re dressed up.
Partly because there’s no place to go when you are dressed up.
So I’m wearing jeans and a white shirt and sandals.
Because… no one can tell me I’m making too much effort when I’m wearing jeans.
I’m on the porch waiting for Fisher. Riley’s in bed.
Mom’s in front of the TV with her knitting, which I’m pretty sure is going to be Riley’s birthday present.
I need to figure out how to break it to my mom that Riley doesn’t want a home-knitted sweater.
She’s growing up so fast and my mom hasn’t kept up.
Riley wants to wear what all the other kids have.
And no one wears a sweater knitted by their grandma.
I don’t know whose feelings to hurt. My mom’s by telling her Riley isn’t going to like her sweater, or Riley’s by telling her Grandma is knitting for her.
When Fisher pulls up, my heart lifts so high in my chest I’m concerned my feet might leave the ground.
I dash down the stairs to the truck before my mom can come out and start chatting to Fisher like he’s about to become her son-in-law.
That’s all I need. No one gets it except us.
We like each other, but we’re not ever going to turn into anything.
He gets it. I get it. But no one else gets it.
I don’t want to listen to how it might work out or how long distance can work.
Because that propels us into a future where both Fisher and I know we don’t work.
And I don’t want to think about that. I just want to enjoy him while I have him.
“Hey, beautiful,” he says.
“Hi,” I snap, and I duck under his arm, avoiding his embrace and sliding into the truck.
He rounds the hood of the car, a frown on his face. He slides in next to me. “Is everything okay?” His tone is tentative.
“Yeah, sorry, just trying to dodge my mom. Can we get out of here?”
He chuckles and starts the engine. “Are we seventeen, sneaking out of our parents’ place to meet up for a secret, passionate affair?”
“Well, neither of us is seventeen.” I reach across and tuck a curl of his hair around his ear. “But you’re not so far off with the rest.”
He turns his head and places a kiss on my palm.
“You definitely want to go to Grizzly’s?” I ask.
“Have you had their wings?” He casts a glance over to me, like he thinks I might be insane.
I laugh. Looks like we’re going to Grizzly’s. “You know the entire town will be there.”
“We don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“Have you had their wings?” I say, and he laughs. “I’m just saying, this town is pretty protective, so brace yourself if you think you’re not going to be given the side eye by a couple of people.”
“Will anyone challenge me to a duel?” he asks. “Ex-boyfriends?”
“My only ex is in Florida, so no need to worry about him.”
“He’s your only ex? You’ve been split up for how long?”
“Seven years.”
“Phew,” he says, turning what could be an awkward conversation into something that’s no big deal. “I’m really not in the mood for a duel.”
“Glad I could help out.”
We pull up in front of Grizzly’s. “Let’s go get us some wings. Then I vote we go find a place we can make out. Or if you wanted to come back to my place or…”
I try not to grin at the idea of going up to the Colorado Club with this beautiful man. What will I learn about him? I know it’s not his place, but I’m sure there will be signs of who he is around his room or lodge or whatever it’s called.
“Sounds good,” I say, reaching for the door handle.
Grizzly’s is busier than usual. When we walk in at least half the place cops a look at the two of us arriving together, but they do their best not to gawp. Some more successfully than others.
We grab the same booth I was sitting in when I first laid eyes on Fisher. He was with two friends and they’d rolled into town in an RV. “What happened to your friends who you came to visit with last time? You know, when you came in the RVs.”
“Oh, word gets around, doesn’t it?”
“Kinda. I mean, those RVs were the talk of the town, and I was in Grizzly’s the night you turned up to see Byron.”
He narrows his eyes at me across the table. “You were in here? How the fuck did I miss you?”
My heart flips, and I can’t wipe the smile from my face. I slide my leg against his under the table, and he reaches for my hand.
“Now what can I get you two lovebirds?” Eva asks. “You want a beer?” She looks at me.
“What are you having?” I ask Fisher.
“Wings,” he replies, and I laugh.
“You don’t want a drink?”
He shrugs. “Sure. As long as it comes with wings, I don’t mind.”
Eva nods at Fisher. “You got a hungry one there. Two portions of wings?” she asks.
“At least,” Fisher says.
Eva pats him on the arm. “Let’s start you off with two. You can always order more. And I’m going to grab you two beers, too.”
“Are you sure you don’t want to be alone with your wings?” I ask.
“Happy to not have any if it means I get you tonight?”
My blush starts at my feet and sweeps up my entire body.
“Let’s get you some wings. And then I can help you work all those calories off.”
He groans and traps my legs between his. “It’s a good thing there’s a table between us, or we might get arrested for public indecency.”
My nipples pinch against the lace of my bra and I squeeze my thighs together.
“Those wings better come quickly, or I might decide they’re not worth the wait.”
“We have all evening,” I reassure him.
“It won’t be long enough,” he volleys.
His words hit me in the chest because I know it’s true. However long we have won’t be enough.
Eva comes back with two beers and two orders of wings and we dig in.
I’m hungry. I’ve not eaten all day. I’m always so busy preparing food for Riley and making sure she has lunch, sometimes I run out of time to make sure I’m fed.
And I’m going to need my strength tonight if the look in Fisher’s eye is anything to go by.
My phone buzzes and I flip it over on the table. “Sorry, I’m just going to check this,” I say, when Mom flashes up on the screen.
Mom: Riley has a temperature.
Me: What is it?
Mom: 102.
“Shit,” I mumble under my breath.
“Everything okay?” Fisher takes a swig of his beer.
“It’s Riley. She has a temperature.” I never leave Riley if she’s sick. Ever. I know how quickly things can change when it comes to medical conditions. One minute you’re fine and then you’re not.
One minute you’re pregnant. And then you’re not.
Riley was fine when I tucked her into bed. She was chattering on about school and how she’d done on her math test. There wasn’t any sign that she was sick. Things change quickly.
“Do you need to go?” he asks. “I’m happy to drive you back.” It’s so sweet of him to offer. I know he has different plans for where we go after Grizzly’s. And so do I. I don’t know what to do. What would I do if I were at home?
“Let me just text with my mom quickly.”
“No problem. We can leave right away if that’s better.”
Me: Is she awake?
Mom: Yes. She says she has a headache.
Me: Does she have a rash?
There’s a delay before she answers. I’m guessing Mom is checking for a rash.
Mom: No rash.
I’m torn. I want to be here with Fisher and Riley is probably fine, but I wish I were with my daughter, too.
Me: Please give her Tylenol in the cupboard and then let me know what her temperature is in thirty minutes.
“We’re going to give it thirty minutes,” I say. “See if the Tylenol kicks in.”
We go back to our wings, but Fisher has released my legs and there’s a shift between us. It’s not as fun and flirty. Because, this is real life. And in real life I have a daughter who gets sick.
“So how’s your mystery artist getting along?” I ask, trying to get us back on track. “You still don’t like the trombone?”
“Man, the trombone sucks.” Fisher chuckles. “She’s getting along great. She loves the Club. Finds everything really easy. She’s ahead of schedule and already has four tracks that could be… I mean, if we put the right marketing efforts behind them, they’re going to be big.”
“That’s exciting.”
“It is. Everything’s working out great.”
“You think you’ll end up bringing more artists out here to record?
” As soon as the question is out of my mouth, I wish I could stuff the words back in.
What was I thinking? It looks like I’m asking him to come back before he’s even left.
I don’t want him to think I think that what we have is anything but temporary.
“I’ll definitely encourage artists to come out here. It’s only going to suit certain people. If they’re wanting to party, then this isn’t the best place for them.”
I pull back and glare at him like I’m offended.
“What could you mean? Are you saying the people of Star Falls don’t know how to party?
Have you ever seen Grizzly’s after a storm?
The entire town goes wild. Everyone’s so happy to be alive.
There’s no atmosphere in one of your fancy-schmancy New York nightclubs that could compete. ”
Fisher chuckles. “Somehow I completely and utterly believe you. And on top of that, you have these wings.”
I laugh. “Yeah, you need to take some back to New York and lure your artists out here with the wings.”
“They’ll be goners,” he says. “There’ll be a waiting list for the recording studio.”
“True story.”
I grin, but I can’t help but glance at my phone to see if thirty minutes is up. I just want to know Riley is okay and then I can relax properly. I want to enjoy my evening with Fisher, but I can’t do that if my daughter isn’t well.
“Any news?” Fisher asks, as he sees me looking at the phone.
I shake my head. “Just checking the time. If her temperature is coming down with the Tylenol after thirty minutes, then I’m sure she’ll be fine. Problem is, my mom is fully committed to her current knitting project, and I just want to make sure she checks Riley again when she’s supposed to.”
Fisher finishes his wings and calls over Eva. He gets the bill. “I’m going to take you back.” He pulls out cash from his wallet as relief and disappointment mixes in my stomach.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
“Please don’t be. I just had the best meal of my life with the best company. If it’s okay with you, I’ll hang around and maybe we can have a drink on the porch when Riley is settled.”
I narrow my eyes, trying to discover a trace of resentment or hostility in his face, but there’s nothing.
“Come on,” he says, shifting out of the booth. “Let’s get you back with your daughter.”
I stand, just as my phone buzzes.
Temperature is 103 now.
“Let’s go,” I say.