Page 35 of Another June with You

Coming from a family who freely gave hugs—and often—it had taken Shannon a while to get Micah used to that. She had done her best to warm him up, to break through his tough exterior. When they first got together, she initiated all of the hugs. Much prepping was done before they first spent time with her family, because he was assaulted with bear hugs the instant he walked through the door. But he hadn’t seemed to mind. He had taken it in stride, and eventually began giving Shannon hugs without being asked. Gosh, she missed his hugs. Over the course of their relationship, he became really good at giving them and even better at knowing exactly when she needed one.

As they turned into the driveway, she spotted his old truck parked beside the garage, which brought about a wave of memories. She was about to mention it, when he jerked the car to an abrupt stop.

Her eyes shot to his. “What was that?”

His gaze was glued to the porch. More specifically, to the woman standing on the porch talking to his aunt.

Shannon didn’t get a chance to ask who it was before he flew out the door, striding across the lawn. She climbed out just as he spoke.

“What are you doing here?”

He seemed pretty ticked off. Was it Autumn? It couldn’t be. She was supposed to arrive on Friday. Maybe she came early. But why was he so upset about it?

“I thought you’d be happy to see me,” the woman replied.

“Micah, you didn’t tell me she was coming.” His aunt appeared uneasy.

“I didn’t know.”

Shannon walked hesitantly toward them, and the woman locked eyes with her.

“That’s not Autumn.” The woman eyed her, giving her a once over.

“No.” Micah was short with her.

She was tall and slender. Blonde with blue eyes. Elegant and downright gorgeous. Side by side, the two of them made the perfect couple.

Shannon wondered what their history was. How did he know her? Did they date? She looked familiar. Could she be the girl from the Facebook photo years ago? She wanted to ask so many questions, but the woman was giving her the evil eye. She decided to be the bigger person and walked toward her with extended hand. “Hi, I’m Shannon. And you are?”

“Leaving,” Micah answered for her.

The woman shook Shannon’s hand. “I’m Jacqueline, Micah’s girlfriend.”

Shannon’s eyebrows lifted, and she looked over at Micah. “How many are there?”

“Ex,” Micah corrected her. “She’s my ex-girlfriend.”

Jacqueline laid a hand on his bicep. “We’ve been talking, trying to work things out.”

He shook his head as he shook her hand off. “You’ve been talking. I told you, I’m …” His eyes met Shannon’s, and he looked pained as he finished the sentence. “I’m with Autumn now.”

“It doesn’t look like you’re with her right now.” Jacqueline’s eyes moved from Shannon to Micah.

“I don’t have to explain myself to you.” Micah seemed to have very little patience when it came to this woman.

“Why don’t you all come inside, and I’ll make you some tea,” his aunt said.

“We can’t stay, Aunt Sue. I’m here to change and get back to the bachelor party.”

Jacqueline’s eyebrow raised. “Is she the stripper?”

Shannon’s mouth fell open, as did Micah’s.

“For the bachelor party,” Jacqueline continued. “Is she tonight’s entertainment?”

Aunt Sue seemed uncomfortable and wandered into the house mumbling, “I’ll put the water on.”

The nerve of this woman. Shannon almost walked away right that instant, but then another thought came to mind, and she went with it before she really considered the consequences.

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