Page 60 of The Coffee Bar on Camellia Court

“Right?” he acknowledged. “I don’t know how kids can do the whole unconditional love thing. She should loathe me, resent me, or think I’m beneath her. It’s really humbling.”

They made some small talk in the truck on the way back to Juno’s place, but mostly, they spent the fifteen-minute drive in companionable silence, fingers interlaced on the console. The radio played 80’s arena rock on a station that, if Juno remembered correctly, had been Alex’s favorite even back in high school. “I can’t believe you still listen to this stuff.”

“It’s all part of my arrested development,” he declared, shooting her a cocky grin. “And it’s inarguably the best music that ever was.” He lifted a fist and mock-shouted, “Long live the eighties!”

Juno wouldn’t let him come up to her second-floor apartment, but he insisted on getting out of the truck and walking her to the stairs. “You go back to your mom’s and get that foot up, you hear?” she ordered, resting a hand on his chest as he stepped in enough to make her feel a little crowded.

“I will.”

She didn’t back up. “And thank you for the lovely picnic. I had a wonderful time.”

“You’re welcome.” Alex took a step closer, resting his injured leg on the bottom step, then shifting so he could lean against the rail. In what Juno recognized as a well-practiced move, he drew her closer, their joined hands twisted loosely behind her back, his other arm wrapping around her waist.

“Wow,” she said drolly. “Smooth move, Don Juan Frampton.”

“It worked, though, didn’t it?” His voice came out husky, almost gravelly as he closed the space between them.

This time when he kissed her, there was no hesitation. Juno pressed into him, her arms sliding around his neck as his circled her waist. When they finally broke apart, she rested her forehead against his, eyes closed, savoring the moment.

"I should go," Alex murmured, though he made no move to leave.

Reality intruded, but gently. Juno nodded, stepping back reluctantly. "Let me know how it goes with the attorney, will you?"

"I will." He kissed her once more, softly. "Goodnight, Juno."

"Goodnight, Alex."

As Juno watched him walk back to his truck, she felt a peculiar certainty settle over her. Whatever challenges lay ahead—her father's return, Alex's custody battle, their own complicated history—they would face them together. The thought should have terrified her, but instead, it felt right.

25

Alex

Alexshifteduncomfortablyinthe booth at Juno's Coffee Bar, his ankle throbbing. He had it elevated on the bench across from him next to Lena, but he’d forgotten to take his pain medication before his appointment with the attorney, and now he was paying for it.

The meeting had gone far better than he could have hoped for—Howard Grantham had assured him that it had been a long time since the days when the courts automatically favored mothers when custody was determined. Based on what Alex had told him, and on what he’d gathered from a conversation with Lena, Alex had good cause to be concerned over the welfare of his daughter. In fact, Howard had filed an emergency motion to prevent Melissa from taking Lena out of the country, and said he thought they might be able to arrange for a preliminary hearing as early as this week.

Alex had called his father from The Beast, and fighting back tears of relief, had thanked him for making the calls that had connected Alex to the right people.

“You’re not doing this alone, son. That child is ours, too, and we want what’s best for her just as much as you do,” his father had said.

Alex had called Melissa twice already today, hoping to discuss things like adults, but she hadn't picked up, and even his text updates about Lena had been met with brief acknowledgments, nothing more.

Lena was going to spend the afternoon with her grandmother so that Alex could head over to the North Shore and talk to Melissa, if she’d agree, but when he texted again to ask if he could come, her response was:Busy. You wanted time with her. Hope you’re having a good time. If you can't handle the responsibility, it’s your problem.

Alex frowned, typing back: Just making sure you're all right. Can I come by so we can talk this afternoon?

Like I said, BUSY. Then she posted a whole string of wine glass emojis. Great. He wasn't sure whether to be disgusted or concerned.

"Is that Mommy?" Lena asked from across the table, looking up from her chocolate milkshake, a foamy mustache on her upper lip.

"Yeah," he said, tucking his phone away so she wouldn’t see the emojis. "She's just checking in. She’s glad you’re having a good time." The half-truth tasted bitter, and he hoped Lena wouldn’t ask to speak to her mother; he had no idea what condition Melissa was in, and besides, she still wasn’t answering his calls. "How's that milkshake?"

"Amazing," Lena declared, jabbing her straw up and down in the blended drink. "Juno makes the best shakes."

"She sure does." Alex glanced toward the counter where Juno was serving a customer, her movements efficient and graceful. His gaze shifted to the man clearing tables nearby—Leonard Thomas.

They’d come for lunch, beating the rush by only minutes, and Juno hadn’t had time to introduce them to her father properly. “But you two already know each other. Go say hi to him, Alex. He’d probably appreciate seeing a familiar face.”

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