Page 70 of Never To Be Mine

“I’m trying but you’re kind of freaking me out.”

He laughed and walked away.

I sat, feeling weirdly out of place. This was my commercial, my product, but Micah was clearly running the show. I watched him move around the space, checking angles with the camera operators, discussing lighting with the techs. He was in his element. Focused in a way I rarely saw outside of family gatherings.

My phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, hoping to see Juno’s name.

It was Toby: On my way. Traffic is insane.

I texted back: No rush. We’re still setting up.

I pocketed my phone and tried not to feel disappointed. What had I expected? That she’d magically respond after ignoring me for twenty-four hours? That she’d show up here ready to pretend nothing had happened?

Maybe it was better this way. Cleaner. We could focus on business without any distractions. Except I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

“You good?” Micah asked, suddenly standing in front of me.

“Yeah. Fine.”

He studied my face. “You look constipated.”

“Thanks.”

“Maybe you should drink one of those smoothies. Get things moving.”

“Are you implying my smoothies give people the shits?”

He shrugged. “Isn’t it supposed to do that?”

“No.”

Micah looked over my shoulder. “Uh-oh, the boss is here. Everyone be cool.”

I turned, expecting to see my father. But it wasn’t him.

Juno walked in.

My breath caught in my throat. She looked incredible. The pink silk blouse made her skin glow. Her black pants hugged her curves, and her burgundy heels had me thinking about her legs wrapped around my waist with those heels digging into my ass. Her hair fell around her shoulders, and I found myself wanting to bury my face in it and breathe in her strawberry scent.

She scanned the space, her eyes landing on me for a brief second before moving to Micah and the crew. Her expression gave nothing away. No sign that she’d spent the night thinking about me the way I’d spent it thinking about her.

“Am I early?” she asked, walking toward us. “I wasn’t sure what time you’d be starting.”

“Right on time,” Micah said. “We’re just waiting on the talent.”

“The talent?” She looked between us. “What does that mean?”

Micah’s grin widened. “Patience. Time will reveal all.”

I caught the flash of irritation in Juno’s eyes. She didn’t like being kept in the dark any more than I did.

“He has a flair for the dramatic,” I said, standing up from my chair. “It’s genetic.”

“Clearly.” She adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder, still not quite meeting my eyes.

I needed to talk to her. There was no way I could let this fester. I touched her elbow lightly. “Can we talk for a second?”

She hesitated, then nodded. “Sure.”