“I told you not to mess with me, Ryan, and I meant it. We’re grown adults now, and you need to start acting like it!” She pokes me hard in the chest, but I don’t sway. I wonder if she’d be mad if I ran my finger across the bridge of her nose, drawing a line through her freckles. The blaze in her eyes tells me I shouldn’t try it unless I want to lose a finger. “But you know what else? My worth isn’t tied to whether I’m in a relationship or not! Even all on my own, I’m still better than you.”

She’s throwing tough words at me now, but I can still hear the same shake in her voice from earlier. She’s like a kid trying to convince her friend that she’s not afraid of monsters anymore while still sleeping with all the lights on. And it’s the tremble in her voice that makes me think there’s more to June’s story—more to those tears and hatred—than just me.

I look down into her bright-green eyes and realize I need to change my tactic. She meets my gaze and lifts that defiant chin of hers into the air, but her façade is no use—I can clearly see the hurt now. It’s hurt I didn’t put there, and I want to find out who did.

She pokes my chest firmly again. “And one more thing! If you think—”

I interrupt her by gently wrapping my hand around her wrist, preventing her from stabbing me with her finger another time. “You’re right. I’m sorry about all that just now. I shouldn’t have acted like we were still teenagers. It won’t happen again.” My truth must shock her, because I see June’s shoulders drop. My grip on her wrist is featherlight, giving her all the chances in the world to move away, but she doesn’t even try.

I really shouldn’t be this concerned about winning June over, though. I should be giving all my attention to considering Noah’s restaurant and whether I want to be a part of it. But I’m not. I can’t bring myself to spare it even a second of my thoughts. Last night, I fell asleep thinking of ways to make June smile. I just want one aimed at me. Just one and I’ll be happy. I’ve never been on the receiving end of one of her smiles, but I’m determined to get one by the end of this week. It’s not that I’m head over heels in love with the woman already, but I feel a pull to her. A need to spend time with her. Be close to her. I can’t shake it.

I look in June’s eyes and see a million conflicting emotions flying through them. She’s a human slot machine right now, and her eyes are rotating emoji icons. Daggers, hearts, crying face, smile, purple devil.

She blinks her long dark lashes. “Just leave me alone from now on, Ryan.”

A second later, the door chimes, and June and I both swivel our heads to see Stacy storm into the shop. She shoves her phone into her pocket and huffs out a sigh. “You’re never going to believe who I just got off the phone with.” She pauses when she sees us standing so closely.

June immediately rips her hand back and steps away. “My earlier sentiments still apply. Eat glass.”

Stacy blinks. “What did I miss?” She then shakes her head and waves her hand. “No, you know what? I don’t want to know, because my whole life is falling apart and I can’t deal with your bickering right now. My caterer and most of her staff for the rehearsal dinner just came down with the flu! There’s no way they’ll be over it by Friday night.”

I lift my hat up off my head and scrape my hand through my hair before replacing it. That’s my way of preparing to say no to what I’m sure Stacy is about to ask me.

“What! No way,” says June. “Is there anyone else we can hire?”

Stacy shakes her head no, but I doubt she’s even tried to hire anyone else. “Not on this short notice. Everyone else I’ve reached out to is booked solid.”

I narrow my eyes. “Who else have you tried?”

She shrugs a shoulder but doesn’t meet my eye. “Just some locals. Doesn’t matter. You’ve never heard of them.” Beep. Beep. Beep. My lie detector is going off. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter because I know who I want to have cater it.”

I shut my eyes tight, bracing for impact.

“Please, Ryan. Please, please, please. You’re pretty much the best chef in the country! It will be such a treat for everyone if you make the food.”

I don’t bother hiding my groan. “It’s so last minute. I don’t even have a kitchen.”

Stacy is tugging on my arm now. “Oh, come on. There’s only going to be about fifty people there. A chef as good as you doesn’t need much time to prep, right? And you can use my kitchen. Or June’s!” She’s just trying to butter me up.

“I think you might be confusing me with a fairy godmother. All chefs need time to prep.”

“Well, well, well,” says June, sounding like a middle-school bully who’s cornering me on the playground. She’s going to steal my lunch. “Who knew catering a rehearsal dinner would be too hard for Mr. Bigshot?” She has her hands on her hips and is smirking at me. It’s cute.

It also gives me a new idea.

I smile and take a step toward June, locking eyes with her but addressing Stacy. “Tell you what, Stacy. I’ll do it.”

June narrows her eyes, but Stacy squeals. “Really?! Thank you, Ryan! You’re the b—”

“But only if June lets me use her kitchen and assists me.”

If there was a record playing right now, it would grind to a screeching halt. “What? No,” says June, her hands falling off her hips. “I’m not helping you.” She looks to Stacy. “I’m not helping him.”

I shrug and turn to face Stacy. “Sorry, I tried. I can’t do it without help, though. It’s too much work by myself.”

Stacy’s face is so forlorn it’s laughable. She turns big round puppy eyes to June. “Juuuunie—”

June flashes her a no-nonsense look and takes one big step away. “No, don’t start that.”

Stacy rushes up to her and drops down to her knees, clasping June’s hand inside her own. “My darling, June. Love of my life. Soul sister from another mister. Please help Ryan! I’ll never ask you for anything again.”

“I doubt that.”

“I’ll give you my house.”

“You’re renting.”

“My kidney.”

“Don’t need it.”

“My car.”

“It’s older than mine.”

Stacy sighs and stands up. “Fine. I didn’t want to have to do this, but…”

June’s eyes go round, apparently understanding what Stacy is threatening. “You wouldn’t.”

Stacy stands and faces me with a determined look. “Ryan, have I ever told you about the time that June peed—”

“Stop! Fine, I’ll do it, sheesh.”

A smug smile spreads over Stacy’s mouth as she whips around to throw her arms around June’s neck. “Love you!” She then kisses June’s cheek so hard that it makes June’s lips smoosh to one side.

“Well, I like you a little less now.” June smooths down her shirt, and I try not to let my eyes linger on her curves.

Stacy laughs. “I’m your favorite person in the world. Don’t deny it.”

June just groans.

“What about me?” I say. “No kisses for the man who will actually be doing the catering?”

Stacy winks at me. “We’ll just call it even for when you tried to break me and Logan up in seventh grade.”

Savage. I can respect it.

Stacy pulls her phone out of her pocket and starts dialing as she walks toward the door. “Meet me at the car, June. I’m calling Logan to tell him the good news.”