Page 36 of Another June with You

Sauntering closer to Micah, she tugged the right sleeve of her shirt down off of her shoulder. She slid her arms around his waist from the side, leaning into him with her lips close to his neck. “So what if I am,” she breathed in the sexiest voice she could muster.

Shannon felt Micah tense up beside her, and his Adam’s apple raised as he swallowed hard. All she’d meant to do was give this woman a hard time, which seemed to be working by her shocked expression. But she knew Micah. After all this time, she still knew him. And she could tell when he was affected by her. What have I done?

Nervously, Shannon giggled and pulled away. “Just kidding.”

Micah cleared his throat, struggling to speak. “Shannon is not a stripper. She’s an old friend.” The look he gave Shannon was so intense, it made her stomach flutter. Yep, she had affected him. “Can you give us a few minutes?”

Shannon nodded. “Sure.” She went inside to talk to his aunt, wishing she could be a fly on the wall to hear the conversation they were about to have.

“It’s so nice to see you again, Shannon.” Aunt Sue smiled warmly at her. “How are you, dear?”

“I’m doing well. How are you?”

“Very well, thank you.” She went about filling up the teapot with water and placing it on the stovetop. “How’s your photography going?”

“It’s going well. I’m pretty busy, which is a good thing. My friend and I are planning to open up our own studio in East Grand Rapids soon.”

“Oh, how nice for you. Micah’s very proud of you for making your dream come true, you know?”

She was taken aback. He hadn’t been close with his aunt growing up and had always found it difficult to confide in her. “That’s sweet of him.”

Shannon could hear voices from the front porch, but they didn’t carry like she hoped. She couldn’t make out anything they were saying. So, instead, she decided to probe for answers.

“How long were Micah and Jacqueline together?” she asked.

“Oh, about five years, I think. Since senior year of college.” She leaned closer as if they could hear her speaking. “She’s a pretty girl, but I never thought she was good enough for our Micah. He was pretty broken up after you …” She paused as if she wasn’t sure she should’ve said that. “I was always holding out hope for the two of you.”

Yet another comment that caught her off guard. When she and Micah were together, Aunt Sue hadn’t seemed the least bit interested in them or their relationship. They’d been wrapped up in each other and senior year activities, and since he wasn’t close with his aunt, they’d spent a good portion of their time with Shannon’s family. But seeing her now after all this time, Shannon could tell she had misjudged her. Sue truly cared for her nephew and had obviously cared about the two of them together. Clearly, Micah’s relationship with her had changed, and Shannon wondered if he’d confided in her after the breakup. It still ached deep inside knowing she’d left him heartbroken over her, but it gave her some comfort thinking his aunt might’ve been there for him to lean on.

Shannon returned to her previous line of thought. “Why did you think she wasn’t good enough for him?”

“He wasn’t the same with her. I could tell she didn’t make him as happy as he could be.” She shook her head. “Plus, there’s something a little off about her.”

“What do you mean?”

The door opened then, and Micah walked in with Jacqueline following behind.

“You can’t stay here,” he muttered.

She waved him off. “That’s up to your aunt.”

He looked seriously agitated as he swept through the space and down the hallway to his old bedroom.

Jacqueline settled in to the chair next to Shannon as if she owned the place. “Would it be an imposition if I stayed here for the night? It wasn’t a planned trip, really, and I have no place to go. I just had to see my Micah.”

This girl would not take no for an answer. It was obvious Micah did not want her there.

“I’m not sure that would be a good idea,” Aunt Sue replied. “I’m sorry, dear.”

“Oh.” Jacqueline’s cheeks colored, maybe from a blush or maybe from anger. It was hard to tell. “All right, well, do you know of any nearby hotels that aren’t too expensive?”

“Just go home,” Micah ordered as he entered the room and motioned for Shannon to follow.

Shannon stood and walked to Aunt Sue, leaving her with a hug. “It was so wonderful to see you.”

“You too, Shannon. Don’t be a stranger.” She smiled at her genuinely.

“I won’t.” And she meant it.

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