Page 17 of July (New Orleans #7)

“You said things were crazy right now,” Logan chimed in. “And Juni will only be in the fifth grade once, right?”

“That’s what I just said to her.” Jill laughed a little.

“Maybe you could be friends for now and sort through everything with Juni and your mom. I’m sure the legal stuff will take time, and she can be with a new teacher by then.”

“That seems like so far off. I’ve watched all of you find your people, and I’m so happy for all of my friends, but it’s my turn now, isn’t it?

” she asked no one in particular. “What if the reason it feels so important to me is that it’s supposed to be her?

I know I’m being dramatic; we just met. But it’s my turn, guys. ”

Rory and Logan could only smile helplessly at her.

“I really hope it works out for you,” Rory said.

“I know. I mean, I could be crazy. Maybe she’s not the one , but it’s just a date, right?

It’s one night where we see if there could be something more.

We kiss. We see if there are sparks there.

If so, great, and we can go out again. If not, at least we know, and I won’t be sitting on my mother’s sofa, staring up at a stuffed deer, wondering if Willa’s hand feels so good to hold because I’m supposed to be with her or if it’s just that I’m lonely and have been for a while. ”

“You’re lonely?” Rory asked.

“Well, yeah. All of my friends are coupled off. I guess there’s kind of Myra now. Mel says she’s cool.”

“Myra?” Logan asked Rory.

“Mel and Kyle’s contractor. She’s their friend now, too. I think she’s coming to the wedding.”

Logan nodded.

“Is she single?” Jill joked.

“You want to date Myra now?” Rory asked.

“No, just hang out with her if she is so we can drown our sorrows.”

“You have a woman interested in you,” Rory replied.

“She’s interested but unable.”

“Not true,” Rory said. “As long as there are no explicit rules against it, you can at least go for it, can’t you? And even if there are, just date and don’t tell anyone until your sister is out of her class. Hell, see if Juni can get put into a different teacher’s class.”

Jill hadn’t thought about that. She could ask the school to move her sister, which would mean she and Willa could go out. Then, she thought better of it.

“I can’t do that to Juni. She really likes Willa.

And Willa said Juni’s been opening up more and more recently.

I don’t want her to have to start over with a new teacher if Willa is an option, especially given everything she’s going through or doesn’t even know she’s going through because I haven’t told her that her mother doesn’t want her anymore.

Besides, that might make Willa look bad to the school.

What would I say? That she’s a great teacher, but I want my sister moved to another because I want to be able to date her?

And if I don’t give them a reason why, they might think she’s bad at her job or something. ”

“True.” Logan nodded and wiped her hands on her napkin. “I’m going to run to the bathroom. Be right back.” She leaned over and kissed Rory.

“I want that,” Jill noted after Logan walked toward the bathroom.

“Logan? Can’t. She’s mine, and I plan to keep her.”

Jill laughed and replied, “No, the quick kiss thing. She’s going to be gone for three minutes, but she still leaned over and kissed you, and it’s just a natural thing for her to do because you love each other.”

“Oh, that. Yeah, it’s pretty great. I’ve never had it before,” Rory said. “I hope I never go without it again.”

“I’m glad things are going so well for you two.”

“Things will go well for you and Willa, too,” Rory suggested.

“It’s silly to care so much, right?”

“No.” Rory shook her head. “I think it’s brave.”

“Brave?”

“Jill, you have this whole other part of yourself you’re only just letting people in on. I get it. You and I only met a few months ago, really, but Mel has known you a lot longer. Bridgette, too. Neither of them knew any of this.”

“I don’t like to talk about it.” She shrugged.

“I know. No one is going to make you. But we’re your friends, and we want to help.

We just want to be there for you. I know you’re lonely in a way none of us can help with, but we can help in other ways.

We can be listening ears or adults to watch Juni so that you can have a night off. That’s what friends do.”

“I know. And I’m eternally grateful; you have no idea.”

“What about tonight?” Rory asked.

“What about it?”

“Go out with her tonight. Call her back and tell her you want to talk in person. Get it all out in the open, and if she’s willing, just go on the date. Logan is working, but I can watch Juni for you.”

“I don’t know. Isn’t that a little much?”

“I don’t think so.”

“I’ll see her at pickup. I can just talk to her then.”

“Well, do that, but tell her what you want. If she really doesn’t want the same, I’ll be there when you get home, and we can get drunk or something.”

“You barely drink.” Jill laughed.

“I’ll watch you get drunk, then,” Rory replied.

“Who’s getting drunk?” Logan asked as she sat back down.

“Jill, maybe,” Rory replied.

◆◆◆

A few hours later, Jill sat in her car, waiting for Juni to get out of school, or rather, waiting for Willa to walk out with her so that they could talk.

The students started leaving two by two, and she spotted her sister talking to a few kids who looked about her age.

Juni was laughing, and it was nice to see.

Jill smiled and went to get out of the car, expecting to see Willa coming out next, but a different teacher emerged instead.

Then, Juni opened the door and climbed inside.

“Have a good day?”

“Yeah. I made two new friends,” Juni replied.

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yes.”

Juni talked about her two new friends while Jill stared out the passenger side window, looking for Willa. Then, she heard a car honk from behind her. Jill was blocking the way. She checked one more time, but there was no Willa, so she left the lot as Juni continued to talk about her day.