Page 138 of How to Fall for the Secret Billionaire
Hazel and Thea are already racing ahead of me, and by the time I reach them, all four of us are tangled in a tight, chaotic group hug—laughing, squealing, spinning like kids.
Juniper smells like coffee and vanilla and the same shampoo she’s used since she was fifteen. I bury my face into her shoulder and grin so wide my cheeks hurt.
Okay, maybe it’s not Cal. But for now, this is perfect!
We all tumble back into the house, laughter still ringing in our ears. Juniper is instantly swept into the chaos of the party, even though half the guests don’t know who she is. But the townspeople do.
Clara shrieks and throws her arms around her. “June! Look at you!”
Imani and Daryl are right behind her, wrapping Juniper in the kind of hugs that make you feel like you never left.
Miss Delia clutches her chest. “Good heavens, child, you haven’t aged a day.”
“Not even a wrinkle,” adds Mr. Claremont, who grins and tugs her into a hug.
Juniper laughs and hugs them back, cheeks flushed. It’s true—she still looks sixteen, fresh-faced and impossibly youthful.While Hazel, Thea, and I take after Mom—with our heart-shaped faces and expressive eyes—Juniper is all Dad. Same smile, same chin, same quiet strength.
Our family slips into the kitchen for a bit of privacy while the party hums on outside—laughter spilling in through the windows, music floating in the background.
Mom and Dad pull Juniper into a hug so tight she squeaks.
“We’ve missed our baby,” Mom says, voice thick with emotion.
Juniper laughs and playfully rolls her eyes. “We do video calls every day. Especially you, Dad.”
Dad doesn’t miss a beat. “And do video calls let me hug you like this?” He tightens his arms around her, grinning like a child.
We all laugh as Juniper groans dramatically. “Okay, okay, I get it. I’m missed.”
Hazel reaches over and tugs at her curls. “Look at you, little college girl. Bet you’ve forgotten all about us.”
“Never,” Juniper says, beaming. “Who else would I call to complain about cafeteria food and annoying professors?”
Thea is already pulling out the chocolate cookies she baked earlier. “You deserve a treat for surviving finals.”
We fall into easy chatter and gentle teasing, bumping shoulders and sharing snacks like we used to—before life got complicated. For a moment, it feels like nothing has changed. For a moment, we’re whole again.
“Look at everyone so happy. I always have the best birthdays,” Aunt Edie declares proudly, dabbing the corner of her mouth with a napkin like royalty.
Hazel immediately groans. “Excuse me? I had a birthday parade when I turned ten. A parade, Aunt Edie.”
“Exactly,” Mom cuts in. “You turned ten. Edie had a mariachi band at forty. That tops everything.”
Juniper raises a brow. “I once got a surprise flash mob at the inn at thirteen. Who do you think organized that?”
Thea, ever the quiet instigator, chimes in from her seat. “I still think my glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunt was unbeatable.”
The debate spirals fast—everyone tossing in memories, voices overlapping, hands gesturing like it’s a courtroom trial for the “Best Birthday Ever” award.
I don’t join in. I just sit back, grinning like a thief, and quietly steal another slice of cake off the platter while they argue. Chocolate fudge this time. Totally worth it.
Nobody notices. Or maybe they do and let me get away with it. Either way, I’m not complaining.
Suddenly, Aunt Edie turns to me with that familiar glint in her eye. “Margot, go up to your room and get me your blue sweater. I’m cold, and it’s the only thing that’ll match my dress.”
I blink. “Aunt Edie, you have tons of blue sweaters.”
“None of which are soft cashmere like yours.”
