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Chapter Four

Calder

It’s been two weeks, and I can’t get Juno out of my mind.

It’s not just her perfect curves, either.

It’s her laugh, the way she sucks on her lower lip when she’s afraid to admit she doesn’t know what something is, and her quiet confidence that turns me on so much I have to jerk off in the shower every time I leave her place.

It’s a damn shame I had to meet her now.

If I were twenty years younger, I’d have saved myself a lot of years playing the field only to end up a bachelor at forty-five.

No woman I’ve ever dated could hold a candle to her.

Truth is, I’ve gotten so comfortable with her that it feels like I’m working on my own place, that the two of us are playing house.

Stupid as it sounds, there’s something calming about making believe that when all is said and done, I’ll be sleeping in her bed with her.

The coffee she makes for us will be from our kitchen instead of just hers.

Being around Juno has only made me realize how lonely I’ve been without someone to share my life with.

Before I head to Juno’s for the day, I swing by the bakery for a dozen donuts. I’m hoping that by satisfying my sugar craving, it can help ease the need I have for my sweet Juno. Something tells me it won’t, but at least we’ll have baked goods.

When I pull into her driveway, I’m surprised to see there’s already a car there. I turn off the ignition, eyeing the red pickup truck. My heart starts racing. It’s probably nothing, but what if she has company? That kind of company.

My body moves without my brain’s permission. I don’t even grab my tools, gripping the box of donuts as I hulk toward the front door and give three hard knocks, not waiting for her to answer before poking my head in and announcing my presence. I’m greeted with laughter coming from the kitchen.

Nervous energy draws me forward as I round the corner and see Juno, still in her robe, at the table with another man. Every drop of liquid in my body turns to lava. Who the fuck is this joker?

“Calder.” Juno stands, wrapping her robe tighter around herself. Her eyes move toward the box in my hands. “Aw, you brought donuts.”

I notice another box of donuts already on the table. You’ve got to be kidding me. “Not such an original idea, after all.”

“Who’s this?” I can’t hide the irritation in my tone.

“Logan.” The buff, visibly younger guy stands and extends his hand. I grip it a little too tightly. “I’ve heard about you.”

“Is that right?” I say, sizing up this motherfucker having breakfast with my woman.

“I hear you’re quite the handyman.”

“Logan!” Juno hisses, making big eyes at him.

“What? Look at this place. It’s looking so much better than when I first saw it.” Logan raises his eyes toward the kitchen ceiling, freshly patched, still drying.

So he’s been here before? I can’t form any words that don’t amount to telling this guy to get the fuck out of here. But I don’t have the right, and it seems like Juno’s enjoying his company. If she’s not asking him to leave, there’s only one other option.

“Maybe I should go.” Unjustified anger zips through me.

“I was just leaving.” Logan moves toward Juno and gives her a kiss on the cheek. She leans in, closing her eyes.

“I’ll walk you out.” She takes his hand, and they both leave the kitchen.

I throw the donuts on the counter and run a hand through my hair.

What the hell was I even thinking? I’m a fool for thinking someone as young and beautiful as her would even think of choosing a man like me over one like Logan.

And the worst part is that I have no right to be this upset.

She owes me nothing. I’m the one that threw myself into her life. She didn’t even ask for it.

“Sorry.” She rolls her big green eyes, grabbing Logan’s mug and plate from the table. “I totally lost track of time.”

“Mm.” I grunt, worried about what will come out of my mouth if I part my lips.

“I just need to throw on some real clothes and we can get started on the living room?—”

“Who the hell is Logan?” Dammit. Here I go.

“Just a friend from work. He teaches Math and coaches tennis at the middle school.”

“A friend, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Did he stay all night?”

Juno tilts her head and leans up against the counter. “Yeah, actually, he did.” My fists ball at my sides. I’ve never been this angry in my life. If I don’t leave this room, I may say something I’ll regret. “His apartment’s being fumigated and he needed a place to crash.”

“I see.”

“No.” Juno’s sly smile only angers me further. Why is she messing with me? “I don’t think you do.”

“What then?”

“Logan stayed here last night.” She’s so close I can smell her shampoo. “Because his boyfriend stayed with his parents in the town over.”

“Boyfriend?”

“Yeah. Logan has to coach summer tennis this afternoon and didn’t want to commute this morning beforehand.”

Holy fucking shit. Am I the world’s biggest idiot or what? “Uh-huh.”

“Uh-huh.” Juno repeats. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll just be a minute.” She sucks her lower lip between her teeth. I nod, acknowledging everything she’s just said. As soon as Juno heads toward her bedroom, I practically dance a jig.

Logan’s gay. Praise Jesus, Logan. Is. Gay.

The jubilant feeling is short-lived, replaced by shame.

I totally overreacted and wasn’t very kind.

Not to Logan, and certainly not to Juno.

I know I should apologize, but that comes with telling her why I acted the way I did, and I’m not ready to throw my heart on the line.

I have to make certain she’s into me. Being rejected by Juno would damn near kill me.