“No, you. She found out about the wedding.”
“Damn it, Juni. I asked you not to tell her.”
“I didn’t. She saw it on some society page online somewhere.” Shewinked. “Besides, you know I never listen.”
“What’d you tell her?”
“I told her you’re fine and dating.”
“Which I am.” She took in a deep breath. “Even if they were totaldisasters.”
“Only because Grace set you up.” Juni tapped the table. “Now letme see the list.”
“What list?” Dex hesitated.
“Don’t tell me you forgot it.”
She hadn’t forgotten the pros and cons list they’d started lastweek, but she’d been hoping Juni had. “No. I didn’t forget. I have it.” Shepulled it out of her pocket and slid it across the table.
Juni rolled her eyes as she unfolded the piece of paper. “Sweet,helpful, and compassionate? You’ve got to be out of your mind if you see thesethings in Grace.”
“She just doesn’t show them to everyone.”
“That’s a fucking understatement. She doesn’t show them to anyone.I’ve never considered any of these qualities to be in the same zip code asGrace.”
“I see them,” Dex said calmly.
Juni pressed her lips together and blew a breath out through hernose. “Even if you have noticed these qualities in her, she’s married now, andthey’re probably going to disappear soon.” She pushed the list back to Dex.“You need to back out of that cozy picture and find someone else to put yourenergy into.”
Dex raised her eyebrows. “Like one of the crazy women I just wentout with?”
“Oh, I forgot. How was your date last night?” The excitement inJuni’s voice was ridiculous.
“I never want to go to another restaurant, bar, or coffee shop tomeet a woman.”
Juni tilted her head. “You’re here meeting me now.”
“You know what I mean. I feel like I’ve been on a blind-datingroller coaster and haven’t even had time to strap in.” She took a sip of hermocha. “Isn’t meeting women supposed to be at least a little bit fun?”
“Maybe if you’d stop letting Grace set you up on them, they’d bemore enjoyable.” Juni reached across, picked up Dex’s cup, and took a sip.“Ooh, this isgood.”
“Told you.”
“So what was wrong with this girl?”
“Besides the fact that she has a girlfriend?”
“Oh my God.” Juni covered her mouth to smother a laugh.“Seriously?”
Dex nodded, then leaned in and whispered, “Apparently she’s in anopen relationship.” She leaned back long enough to let the waiter slide thefood in front of her. “Her girlfriend actually showed up for dessert. She worksat Gibsons and delivered it personally.”
“Nooooo way.” Juni’s voice rumbled.
“Yes way.” Dex picked up half of her sandwich and took a bite.
“Unfuckingbelievable.” Juni shook her head. “That’s it. No moreblind dates set up by Grace. She’s a miserable matchmaker.” She blew on aspoonful of her potato soup before she slipped it into her mouth. “It’s likeshe’s setting you up with losers on purpose.”
“She wouldn’t do that.” Dex glanced at her food, then back atJuni. “Would she?”
“I bet she would. She doesn’t really want you to find anyone. Ifyou do, you won’t have time for her.”
“That’s not true. I wouldn’t ignore her just because I have agirlfriend.”
“Why not? Now that she’s married, she ignores you.”
“She does not. She calls me a couple of times a week. More sincethe blind dating started.”
Juni tilted her head. “But how often does she respond when youcall her?”
Dex thought about it for a minute and realized Juni had a point.“Not very often.”
“See? It’s on her timetable.”
“She’s just busy getting used to her new life. That’s all.”
“With her new husband.The centerof her world.” Juni enunciated each word slowly.
“What do you propose I do?”
“Stop jumping when she calls.” Juni took Dex’s hand. “My God, Dex.You are so strong in every other aspect of your life. Stop waiting in the wingsfor something that’s never going to happen.”
Dex pulled her hand away. “I’m not doing that.”
“Yes, you are.” Juni dropped her spoon into her soup. “Listen,Dex. I love you. I’ll support you in whatever you do, whatever relationship youchoose. But I’m not going to lie to you.” She glanced up at the counter. “EvenJosh sees it.”
“What? Don’t you two have better things to talk about than me?”She glanced over her shoulder. “If I’m what you talk about in bed, you clearlyhave a problem.”
“That would be a problem.” Juni chuckled. “Don’t change thesubject.”
“But really, is it good with him?” She wanted this subjectchanged. She’d heard enough about Grace’s faults for one day.
“Okay. I’ll lay off for now, but think about what I said. And nomore blind dates set up by Grace.”
“Gotcha.” She took a few last bites of her sandwich and pushed herchair back. “I gotta get back to work. It doesn’t look good if the boss islate.”
Josh brought a jug of to-go coffee and a stack of cups to thetable. “This should keep your crew warm for a while this afternoon.”
Dex stared at Juni and let her mouth drop open. “That’s so sweet,Josh.”
“Gotta keep my girl happy. That means keeping you happy too.” Hewinked at Juni before walking back behind the counter.
She hooked a thumb over her shoulder at Josh and whispered,“Fucking gold mine.”
“I know.” Juni stood up and gave Dex a hug. “Be careful out there,little sister.”
“Always.” She put on her jacket before she swiped up the coffeeand cups and headed out the door. It was becoming perfectly clear that Dex wasgoing to have to find the perfect woman on her own. But that would mean makingtime in her schedule to do it, and she didn’t have any of that right now.
Chapter Nine
Grace took all the ingredients for the chicken piccata fromthe refrigerator and laid them on the counter before she checked the recipe onher phone. It seemed like a crazy jumble of complication that Grace had a hardtime wrapping her head around.
She wasn’t used to being domestic, but since she and Brent hadgotten married, Brent seemed to expect dinner when he got home. It had been afun adventure at first, but now it was just frustrating. She’d gone through allher standard easy recipes when they’d returned from their
