Page 87 of The Coffee Bar on Camellia Court

As Lena darted off, Alex looped an arm around Juno's waist and brought her close for a quick kiss. From her friends' table, she heard Liz call out, "Get a room," and then Candy's reprimand.

Juno took Alex's hand. "Come on. We'd better get back there before your daughter decides to make her own shake unsupervised."

Alex kept his arm around her waist, his warmth a comforting presence. "You doing okay?" he asked, seeming to sense the shift in her mood, but she had long since stopped being surprised by his perceptiveness. Alex was a good judge of character because he paid attention.

"Just been reflecting on everything that's happened this past year. The good and the bad."

"Any word from..." He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to.

She shook her head. "No. And I'm not sure there ever will be." She managed a small smile. "I got my letter back again today, and I'm not going to try sending it anymore."

"I'm sorry, June-bug."

"It's okay. I'm okay with it; really."What he did to you wasn't because you're you. It's because he's him.

Alex nodded, understanding in his eyes. He'd been there through the entire emotional journey—the anger, the shame, the gradual acceptance that her father's actions weren't her responsibility, and that she couldn't force him to be the man she wanted him to be.

They found Lena with her apron already around her waist, and standing on a step stool by the counter where Juno had set out ingredients for the day's special milkshake creation—strawberries, vanilla bean ice cream, and fresh mint.

"What are we making?" Lena asked eagerly.

"Strawberry-mint dream," Juno replied, joining her at the counter. "It's a spring specialty."

As they worked together, Juno marveled at how natural it felt, this little family they'd created. Alex leaned against the doorframe, watching them with a smile that made Juno's heart skip. She'd caught him looking at her that way more and more lately—with a mixture of tenderness and something deeper, something that spoke of permanence.

Once the milkshakes were blended and poured into mason jars with rims coated in white chocolate spread and dipped in crushed strawberry wafers, they settled at the counter in their usual spot. Alex and Lena each had a shake, while Juno sipped a mild ginger and lemon tea. She'd had enough sugar and caffeine for the day.

She glanced out through the front window and was surprised to see all of her Garden Variety Lovers Club friends gathered out on the sidewalk, their heads together like they were discussing something important. Claire glanced up and waved, but didn't beckon her outside to join them.

Hmmm.The last time her friends had gotten together without her knowing had been for her fundraiser. Surely, they weren't up to something else, were they? Was it possible to die from too much kindness?

Well, whatever they were up to would have to wait. She had a very important young lady and her father to entertain at the moment.

"How was school today?" Juno asked Lena, who was already sporting a whipped cream mustache.

"Good! I got an A on my science project. The one about photosynthesis, remember? And Jesse Draper tried to kiss me at recess, but I told him I'm too young for kissing."

Alex nearly choked on his shake. "He what?"

Lena rolled her eyes dramatically. "Relax, Daddy. I handled it."

Juno bit back a laugh at Alex's stunned face. "Sounds like you did," she agreed, winking at Lena. "Very mature."

Alex shook his head, recovered from his momentary shock. "When did you get so grown up?"

"I'm almost nine," Lena reminded him solemnly. "That's practically a teenager."

This time, Juno couldn't hold back her laughter. "Not quite, sweetheart. You've got a few years to go."

As they chatted, Juno saw Alex and Lena exchange surreptitious side-glances, as if sharing a secret. Twice, Alex reached into his pocket, then seemed to change his mind.

"Okay, what's going on with you two?" she finally asked. "You're being weird."

Lena giggled, eyeing Alex expectantly. He cleared his throat, suddenly looking nervous.

At that moment, her friends bustled inside, then huddled suspiciously in a group by the window instead of coming to the counter to place their orders. They were up to something for sure.

Juno narrowed her eyes at them, but only Liz locked gazes with her, and she shrugged and grinned like she was just along for the ride.

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