Juno’s head whips in my direction, but I shake my head. How on Earth would she get word of Stella? Did Dori spot her at the wedding? Everyone in Lake Starlight knows that Stella returning is the last thing Kingston needs. When it comes to her, he just doesn’t think.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Juno says, and I see her fingers cross under the table.
“Juno Bailey!” Dori says.
Ethel turns around and smiles at me, sneaking another donut from the tray. Her eyes dip to my crotch and I smile politely. How long were they here?
“Dori, I’d like the key back,” I say, interrupting her conversation.
Dori holds up her hand at me. “Just relax. I only come in when I have to. It’s me, not some stalker.”
I shake my head, thankful my coffee beeps that it’s done. I pour myself a cup, holding up one to ask Juno if she wants one. She smiles and nods, so I pour her a cup.
“I don’t really think we should involve ourselves in Kingston and Stella’s business,” Juno says, apparently admitting defeat.
“You’re a matchmaker. You know as well as I do that they belong together,” Dori says.
“Do they really?” Juno asks. “There’s a lot of hurt there.”
“There’s a lot of hurt here.” Dori signals between Juno and me. “But you two were able to work it out and screw like rabbits.”
I stare blankly at Juno because what the hell am I supposed to say to that?
“Tell me you don’t have a nanny cam in my house, Dori.” I look into my family room, finding a vase I don’t remember ever buying.
“Stop being silly,” Dori says, again waving me off like a toddler who won’t stop asking annoying questions.
But my parents don’t even have a key to my house. The only person who does is…
“Juno, do you still have my key?” I ask.
“Colton Stone.” Dori turns to me. “Forget the key thing. I don’t have cameras on you. You’re not that interesting of a person.”
My mouth opens.
Juno laughs.
Ethel pats my arm, giving me a look that says she finds me interesting.
“Do you have her number?” Dori asks Juno.
Juno’s gaze scatters along the countertops—trying to locate her phone, I think. “No.” But she purses her lips. Her telltale sign that she’s lying.
“You’re lying,” Dori says.
“No, I’m not,” Juno says and again purses her lips. She might as well give up the fight.
“Well, ladies, I have to get Juno home to shower and change. Thanks for the donuts and juice,” I say, trying to save her.
Juno’s smile says she’ll be thanking me later. I love these new perks.
“You’re welcome,” Ethel says, her eyes skimming down my body again.
I tuck my chair farther under the table.
“Juno, I just want to talk to her,” Dori says.
“Grandma, she’s not ready, okay? The last thing we need is Kingston to find out she’s back before Stella can face him. You know how weak he is when it comes to her.” Juno’s tone and words change Dori’s behavior.
Dori stares at her cup of coffee for a moment then nods. “Okay, you’re right. I think I’m just a little upset that I didn’t get a hand in getting you two together. I mean, I’ve been waiting months for this moment.” Dori glances between Juno and me.
“Sorry, Grandma, but you did. I mean…” Juno tries to see where maybe she had something to do with getting us together, but the truth is she didn’t.
“No, I didn’t, but that’s okay. I’m sure you’ll need me down the road.” She stands and sips her coffee, grabbing her purse. “Ethel, stop making googly eyes at Colton and let’s go.”
“What do you mean down the road?” Juno asks, getting up and hugging her grandma and Ethel.
“You guys have a lot more to go through. Did you really think you just admit your feelings, and everything is hunky-dory?” She laughs. “God, I love that saying.”
Juno’s eyebrows crinkle and she searches me out. I shake my head. This is Dori. She likes to be the matchmaker for her grandchildren, to feel as though they wouldn’t have found their way without her.
“Kids are so naive,” she tells Ethel, who nods. “They think everything is easy-peasy.”
Both women walk down the hall, and I put my arm around Juno.
“The key, Dori?” I try one more time.
“See you kids later.” She opens the door for Ethel, and they leave, shutting the door behind them.
“You’re getting that key back,” I say to Juno.
She laughs. “You’re so paranoid.”
“Because she has a key to my house and her friend looks at me like I’m a piece of meat.”
“Ethel’s a vegetarian,” Juno says, still laughing.
I tickle her ribs until she’s squirming and begging for mercy. I swallow her laughter with a kiss.
Dori’s wrong—Juno and I have this in the bag. Nothing is gonna go wrong now that we’re finally a couple.
For the past week, Juno and I have been inseparable. Dr. Murphy has called me in for a meeting today and I’m hopeful it has something to do with buying the practice.
I knock on the door to his office and he looks up from the computer, waving me in.
“Colton,” he says, directing me to the chair in front of his desk.
“Good morning.”
“So we lost Brigette,” he says and a pit forms in my stomach. “But sounds like she’s happy. You both are.”
“Was your friend able to help?” I ask.
“He might have, but she and Rhys left two days ago to explore the lower forty-eight. I’m not sure what their plans are.”
Dr. Murphy knows more than me. Although it was an amicable split between Brigette and me, she didn’t come to me to talk about it before she and Rhys set off into the sunset. I hope she’s happy though.
“That leaves an opening here at the office. I have a call in
