Chapter 9 Deren and Eric
Juniper
My dreams had been filled with Caspian since he crashed into my life, but I couldn’t complain. The night before had taken a turn for the hotter, and I thoroughly enjoyed reaping the benefits. I hoped even after I freed him, the dreams would continue.
Fingers crossed!
The idea of Caspian leaving dampened my mood slightly, but I pushed the thought away. I was happy, and I wouldn’t let anything ruin it. Not even Daphne.
Slipping my shoes on, I hummed to myself. I even took Caspian’s hand as we walked down the steps and headed west to the local coffee shop .
Magic buzzed between us, and I made a mental note to try using it next chance I got.
He ran his thumb over my wrist, and it sent a shiver up my spine until my shoulders tensed, forcing me to shimmy to get rid of the sparkly feeling.
The hair on my arms stood on end. This selkie marriage connection was potent. Or maybe it was just Caspian himself.
I squeezed his hand when we reached the coffee shop. “Wait at the bar again?”
“Sure,” he said, leaning in and placing a kiss on my cheek.
My mouth fell open, and I touched my fingertips to the spot.
Wow.
He held the door open and ran a hand down my back comfortingly as I passed through. I peeked back at him, smiling sweetly. He winked, and it was just as appealing as the first time. My steps faltered, and he smirked as he headed toward the coffee bar.
Geez, he knows the effect he has on me.
Shaking my head, I focused on my task. Of course Daphne was late.
I headed for a table and started to reach for the chair.
Daphne preferred the bench with its cushion.
Frowning, I hesitated. I liked the bench too.
Why should I always give it up for Daphne?
Smiling to myself, I moved to sit on the bench.
A server appeared with a glass in hand. “Ma’am? The gentleman over there ordered this for you. ”
“Oh, thank you,” I said, instantly recognizing the iced London Fog. Accepting the glass with a smile, I held it up and took a sip.
How does Caspian know my drink order? He was across the room last time we were here.
The man was magical.
Sighing, I took a sip of my tea. It was even sweetened with honey, just the way I liked. Amazing.
Unable to help myself, I peeked at Caspian across the room. He studied a painting by a local artist. Leaning over, he spoke to the grumpy looking man behind the bar and gestured to the painting.
“Junie, you didn’t wait for me?” Daphne whined, weaving through the tables. A figure walked behind her.
“Hello, Junebug.”
My heart dropped into my ass.
What.
The.
Fuck?
Derek, who had legally been my husband up until a few days ago, followed my sister, wearing a smarmy smile that sent a wave of nausea through me.
Why would she bring him? Was he trying to get back together and was using her? No, that didn’t make any sense—he was the one who left, the one who filed.
He probably thought I was still crying over him. In reality, it had been a huge relief when he left. Things had only gotten better since that day.
Daphne scowled, eyeing my spot on the comfy bench. I raised my eyebrows, waiting for her to say something. She pursed her lips and settled into the chair. Derek took the seat beside her.
Just when the situation couldn’t get any worse, Daphne set her hand on the table and Derek scooped it up, weaving their fingers together.
She started talking, but I couldn’t process it. My ex-husband was holding hands with my sister.
Nothing made any sense.
How would they have even seen each other since we separated? Unless…
The truth hit me like a tsunami.
All the blood in my veins turned to ice, and my hands started to shake. The room blurred around us.
I’m going to be sick.
It hadn’t started after the separation.
Facts started to fall into place, and memories took on a new perspective.
He’d always preferred to visit my mother and sister. He’d even gone as far as picking my sister up from the airport after her work trips. I’d always thought he was so generous for offering to help my family like that.
I stared at their hands, still not quite believing.
“Why are you being so weird?” Daphne chirped.
Brows furrowing, I looked up at her. Her hot pink lipstick was smudged, and when I glanced at Derek, a bit of hot pink stained his neck.
Gross . My shoulders heaved, and I fought the urge to gag.
“You,” I mumbled.
“What?” Daphne said.
Pulling in a breath, I tried again. “You and Derek.”
My stomach rebelled, churning violently. I was going to hurl.
Derek’s mouth curved into a smirk. Daphne didn’t notice. She stroked his hand and painted a sickly, sweet smile on her pinched face.
“I know this probably comes as a surprise, but since you and Derek aren’t together anymore, it’s been such a great opportunity for us to explore our connection.
And it means you can keep him in your life and not lose him completely.
Everyone will be happier, I’m sure,” Daphne prattled on without regard for anyone around her.
As usual.
“When?” I asked.
Daphne continued like I hadn’t spoken, just like she always did. I couldn’t look at Derek again. I didn’t want to see the condescension in his eyes, or worse, pity.
“Honey, I’m sorry I’m late.” Caspian’s voice cut through the haze. He was there, settling on the bench beside me. He took my hand, lifting it and placing a kiss on the back. Magic sparked between us, invisible but undeniable .
Caspian faced Daphne and Derek and gave them a charming smile. “Hi, it’s great to finally meet you. Daphne and Deren, right? Juniper has had such interesting things to say about both of you.”
“Derek,” my ex-husband corrected with an irritated huff.
“Oh, wow, Junie. Who is this?” Daphne’s voice pitched up.
I kept my gaze on my rescuer so I didn’t have to see her strained expression. Caspian brushed his hair back with his free hand, showing off that brilliant grin that always made my stomach clench.
His throat bobbed as he swallowed, and I tightened my hold on his hand to keep myself from reaching for his face.
I wanted to touch the line of his jaw and the elegant sweep of his nose, brush the lock of silvery hair back that had fallen over his brow already, lean forward and kiss his cheek like he’d done to me as we walked in just a few minutes before.
Then again, he was posing as my new boyfriend, so why not?
“I’m Juniper’s boyfriend, Caspian. Has she not told you about me?” he asked, sounding completely bewildered. He really sold it.
Forcing a smile, I leaned over and rested my temple against his shoulder. His fingers tightened around mine, and he bent his head to kiss my hair. My heart swooped at the sweet gesture, and my smile slipped from fake to genuine.
“Wow, that’s a little fast, don’t you think, Junie? You’ve only been divorced for what, a week?” Daphne said tartly.
I barked a laugh. It wasn’t very ladylike, but I couldn’t help myself. “You think it’s fast? You do realize your boyfriend— ” and I drew the word out “—was the other half of that divorce?”
“Well, we knew each other before,” Daphne snipped.
“Clearly,” I said, throwing my hand up. Irritation overrode the pure shock of seeing him, and I finally glanced at Derek.
He’d always been handsome to me, but somehow he looked less so. Honestly, how could he when I’d spent the last two days staring at Caspian? His green eyes met mine in a bold stare, and I dropped my gaze to the table, picking up my tea to take a fortifying sip.
“So how did you two meet?” Derek asked.
“Through pure luck,” Caspian said enthusiastically. “Juniper was meeting an old friend at a restaurant. I saw her across the room and thought she was the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. How could I resist? And lucky for me, she gave me a chance.”
Daphne’s mouth opened and closed, and I could see conflicting reactions warring in her eyes. It was an adorable story, and Caspian was endlessly charming, but Daphne had never been able to let me be happy, not even when we were children.
My heart twinged with that old wound, but I’d moved on long ago. I couldn’t force my sister to be kind or understanding. She was too much like our mother.
“You were pretty insistent,” I said to Caspian, looking up at him through my lashes. “Lucky for me, because I’d never have considered going on a date right after my divorce finalized, but you convinced me, and it's been the best thing to ever happen to me.”
I meant every word.
“So what do you do?” Derek asked, clearly ready to measure dicks.
Caspian didn’t look away from me. “I’m in the fishing industry.”
“Oh, I’d never date a fisherman. They’re gone so often and it can be a dangerous job,” Daphne said, her words dripping with faux-concern.
“I’m not actually on the boats, although it’s actually a fantastic career. We make sure our teams are well compensated, have the newest equipment, and follow every possible safety precaution. But I started the company with my two brothers, and I handle the finances. I’m sort of a math nerd.”
It took all of my self control to keep my face smooth, like of course I already knew this. But Hecate’s shades, I had thought this man might be unemployed and possibly unhoused. Clearly not.
Derek cleared his throat. “So, Junebug, how have you been?”
My stomach turned over, sloshing another wave of icy dread through me. I hated being near him. As if sensing my mood, Caspian raised my hand again and left another kiss on my skin, this time across my knuckles.
I focused my gaze on my ex-husband’s stupid face, refusing to be cowed. “I’m fantastic. Happier than I can remember being in a long, long time. And I hope you are too.”
With my free hand, I lifted my tea, praying my hand didn’t shake. The creamy liquid quivered and rose up, swirling in the cup. Inhaling sharply, I set the glass back down, and the tea settled.
“Sorry,” I muttered.
“What the fuck was that?” Daphne demanded. “What’s wrong with you, flashing your power around like that?”
Wincing, I looked from Daphne to Caspian. “My magic has been a bit more than I’m used to. Actually, it’s been coming back stronger than ever before.”
Daphne scoffed. Her magic had always been weaker than mine, and she’d reveled in my loss of it the last few years. She could barely grow a sprout, and she had no interest in plants, so it was useless to her.
“You’re doing amazing,” Caspian murmured. “I’m so proud of you for coming back into your power.”
A goofy smile filled my face as I stared up at him. His soft gray eyes lit up, and he leaned toward me. Our mouths neared, and I wanted to kiss him. He was offering.
Daphne muttered indignantly, and I wanted nothing more than to shut her up. And to finally kiss my handsome selkie.
I tipped my chin, and our lips met. It may have looked like a simple, sweet kiss, but my world exploded.
His lips were so soft, so perfect, and a wave of magic passed between us until I couldn’t breathe and stars swam behind my eyelids.
His hand cradled my face, his thumb brushing my cheek. Every point of contact hummed.
I pulled back, trying to suck in air without gasping like a fish out of water. If I wasn’t careful, I’d levitate all of the water in the restaurant.
Caspian’s hand dropped down to settle on my thigh. My skin heated under his touch, and my core throbbed.
“Well, that was gross,” Daphne muttered. “No one wants to see their sister make out with a rando.”
Gritting my teeth, I rounded on her. “Daph, no one wants their sister fucking their ex-husband, especially before they’re even an ex.
I don’t know why you’re so jealous of me that you’d feel the need to take Derek from me, but he’s absolute trash, so I’m sure you’ll be very happy together so you can leave me the hell alone. ”
A decade of vitriol poured out of me. There was nothing demure about my tirade, but she deserved every word.
“That was uncalled for,” Derek snapped. “June, you need to apologize.”
“Oh, fuck off. You’re a cheater, and I’ve been excessively happy and relieved without you,” I snapped.
My cheeks heated. I never spoke to anyone like this, least of all Derek. He’d required me to be respectful and submissive.
Caspian loved my fire. He grinned when I argued with him, like me being difficult was the highlight of his day. Right now, he stared at me in reverence like I was his goddess.
“I am appalled,” Derek stammered. “I don’t know what has gotten into you. Your family—”
Caspian cut him off, all of his attention focused on me. “Baby, I’d very much like to take you home right now.”
Liquid heat rolled through me, filling me up until I was melting with it. All I could do was nod.
He stood abruptly, pulling me up with him. “Nice to meet you, Daphne, Eric,” he said without looking at my sister or my ex.
Derek spluttered, but Caspian ignored him, turning instead to scan the restaurant. The server appeared and Caspian handed them a fifty-dollar bill, thanking them for their help and letting them know the cash was just for my tea and a tip, not for whatever Daphne and Derek ordered.
It was petty, but I grinned like an idiot.
Hand in hand, we crossed the restaurant and left them behind.