XAVIER’S POV
“Xavier, I’m leaving.” Juniper appeared in my doorway, leaning on the wall with a blank expression.
I tossed her a brief glance before turning back to my laptop. “Then leave. Do you have to tell me first?” I said, completely ignoring her presence as I drowned in the screen in front of me.
“Oh, I see where this is going.” She strode into my room and suddenly closed my laptop, a sly smile spreading across her face. “You’re showing attitude because I caught you with a younger woman last night, isn’t it?”
I let out an exasperated sigh, turning to face her since it was obvious she had something to say, which I wasn’t ready to listen to if she was going to be against the idea of Mr. and Sarah together.
She sat beside me as her playful expression disappeared, turning more serious. “I got drunk yesterday, but I remember everything I saw…” She trailed off as her gaze pierced into mine, as if seeking a reaction from me.
“Go straight to your point,” I spat, nudging her to continue.
“Well… let me be honest.” She began, a genuine smile now on her face. “I am truly happy you’re finally moving on, even if it’s totally not what I was expecting…” She paused, her eyes searching mine. “You forgetting that horrible woman is a relief to me. I thought you’d remain single for the rest of your life.” She chuckled, her smile growing wider.
Seriously, sometimes I really don’t understand my sister. Her reaction last night was completely opposite to what I expected. I thought she would disapprove-not that I needed her approval in any way, but I had braced myself for criticism, only to find her genuinely delighted. Her enthusiasm really caught me off guard.
“Juniper, you’re confusing me right now,” I admitted, shaking my head. “Last night, you looked appalled.”
She snorted before her laughter filled the room. “Oh, Xavier, I was shocked, not angry. I thought you were still stuck on Nicole, but seeing you with Sarah… it’s like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders.”
I raised an eyebrow. “You’re happy I’m moving on? When did you ever care about me moving on?”
Juniper smiled softly as she shifted her gaze, sparkling with delight. “Hey, you deserve to be happy, and if Sarah’s the one… I’m all for it.”
I looked deep into her eyes as my mind began to drift. I haven’t come to terms with my feelings for Sarah just yet. I was still struggling to accept the fact that I had fallen for her, but upon sensing Juniper watching me with an uncanny intensity, as if seeing right through to my soul, I knew I had to confront my emotions.
Juniper’s knowing gaze sparked a realization: she had practically accepted Sarah into my life. What about me? I had to admit I was still holding back, but a part of me felt it was time to embrace Sarah too.
While lost in thought, I blurted out, my voice barely above a whisper, “I don’t know why, but I care about her more than I should. Sarah’s got me feeling like I’m 20 again. It’s scary and exhilarating. Life’s taught me to appreciate the little things, but this… this is totally different.”
Juniper’s expression softened as she wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “I know, Xavier. And that’s okay.”
As I gazed into Juniper’s knowing eyes, my mind began to unravel the tangled threads of my feelings. Sarah’s presence had awakened a part of me I thought was long dormant. The flutter in my chest, the nervous smile, the relentless wonder-it all felt eerily familiar, yet terrifyingly new.
I don’t know why, but being around Sarah makes me feel like I’m standing on the precipice of something monumental. It’s as if I’ve been sleepwalking through life, and she’s the wake-up call I never knew I needed.
I glanced at Juniper, her eyes filled with empathy. “You’ve been through so much, Xavier. You deserve to feel alive again.” She said, her smile never faltering.
Why is she being nice to me today?
“Juniper, did you hit your head or something?” I asked scrutinizingly as my eyes searched her face. We usually don’t discuss issues like this and hardly had time to express ourselves.
She just chuckled in response, springing to her feet. “Maybe… I did, and I’ve finally learned to accept the reality of life,” Juniper said with a smirk, heading toward the door.
“Wait, Juniper,” I called out, stopping her.
She turned back, her expression curious.
“Why are you being so supportive? You’re not exactly the matchmaking type,” I said, raising an eyebrow.
Juniper shrugged, her smile still on her face. “Maybe I’ve realized that life’s too short to worry about what others think. You’re happy, and that’s all that matters.”
My brow furrowed in confusion; something was off about Juniper. I could sense it. Perhaps something had happened to her lately, something she hadn’t shared with me. Her sudden change in behavior-her words-it all seemed… uncharacteristic.
I racked my brain, trying to recall if she’d mentioned anything unusual recently. Had she been stressed about work? Was everything okay with her kids or perhaps her ex-husband? But nothing came to mind.
Juniper was always straightforward, sometimes brutally so. Yet, today, she seemed… guarded. Her words were laced with an underlying empathy I wasn’t used to seeing from her.
My curiosity piqued, I stood up and walked to the door, intending to stop her again. “Juniper, wait!”
She turned back, the smile on her face never wavering, which only confirmed my suspicion.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, studying her face. “You’re being… different. What’s going on?”
Juniper’s smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. “Everything’s fine, Xavier. Just… happy to see you moving on, that’s all.”
Her response didn’t convince me. I knew my sister too well. Something was bothering her, but she wasn’t ready to share it.
“Juniper…” I began, but she cut me off.
“Really, Xavier. Don’t worry about me. Focus on yourself. You’re finally patching yourself up…”
With that, she turned, ready to leave, but I grabbed her wrist.
“Is it about Freddy?”
The mention of her husband’s name made her body stiffen, a low sigh escaping her lips as she tilted her head toward me.
Finally, she turned fully to face me, her expression turning serious.
“Well…” She hesitated, looking anywhere but at me.
I knew it. Something was wrong.
“Start talking, Juniper. Is it about him?” I tried purposefully just enough for her to catch my hint.
She shook her head, her eyes narrowing, and she stared deeply at me, slowly a wry smile curling up her lips.
“Someone proposed to me, but my kids refused to accept him.” Her words tumbled out, her voice laced with frustration.
“That’s…” I paused, not really knowing how to respond to that. Her kids were just as complicated as she was, but I didn’t expect such news.
Now I get why she was being so empathetic.
“Who is he?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
Juniper sighed, her shoulders sagging. “Just someone I met a few months ago. He’s kind, caring… and willing to take on me and my baggage.”
I raised an eyebrow. “And the kids don’t like him?”
Juniper shook her head. “They’re still stuck on Freddy. They think I’m replacing him.”
I understood. Freddy had been a significant part of Juniper’s life, and their divorce had been messy.
“What do you want, Juniper?” I asked gently.
Her eyes locked onto mine, filled with determination. “I want to move on, Xavier. I want to be happy again.”
I nodded, feeling a surge of empathy for my sister. “Then do it. Don’t let the kids hold you back.”
I told her in a way that also referred to myself. I shouldn’t hold myself back either.
Juniper’s smile returned, this time with a hint of sadness. “Easy for you to say, Xavier. You’re not the one dealing with two miniature versions of Freddy.”
I chuckled. “Fair point.”
Juniper’s gaze turned serious again as she turned to the door. “Alright, I should get going before the kids get impatient. I already told them Grandma’s coming.”
I nodded before spreading my arms apart for a hug, bracing myself for her candid response.
“We aren’t kids anymore to do… that.” She rolled her eyes and turned on her heels, leaving me standing there, feeling a mix of amusement and confusion. I chuckled to myself, shaking my head. Only Juniper could go from vulnerable to sarcastic in a split second.