Page 121 of More For Me

Everly ignores most of the questions, but pauses at the last one. She gives the photographer a cheeky little smile. “I guess you’ll just have to check out the next season.”

The idea that she plans for us to still be dating when the next season starts shooting has a huge grin stretching my face. I nod at the photographers and lead her to the door.

The Cain’s team again show their proficiency at this whole PR thing when the twins arrive right before we enter the building. Juniper ignores the paparazzi entirely and skips toward Everly, wrapping her in a huge hug. Looking at her, you would think this is just an every-day meeting with a good friend, not a carefully constructed publicity opportunity between near strangers. Behind us, I hear the cameras click away.

“Should we go in?” Everly asks. She’s doing a good job of hiding it, but I know she’s freaking out right now.

“One second,” Juniper says smoothly. “Your cousins just pulled up. We really should get a shot with all of us.”

“Right,” Everly says, eyes darting around, probably looking for Alex. I press my hand more firmly to her lower back, hoping to calm her.

“Just smile and pretend like we have so much to catch up on,” Juniper continues. Then she tips her head back and laughs, like one of us said something funny. I meet Everly’s eyes and immediately start laughing, too, because this is just so incredibly surreal.

“Here we go,” Juniper says, turning her movie star grin on the car that’s just pulled up. “Let’s say hi. Then we can all go in together like the best of friends, yes?”

“Um, sure,” Everly stammers.

We both hug Fox and Alex, which feels incredibly staged. “This is so weird, this issoweird,” Alex chants under her breath as I hug her.

“The weirdest,” I agree.

To my surprise, though, Fox seems to be totally in his element. He gives a casual wave to the cameras and when Juniper hugs him, he holds on just a second longer than strictly platonic, much to the delight of the shouting paparazzi. I wonder if the rumors of his casting are starting to get around town.

“You know,” Alex murmurs at my side, eyes wide. “I didn’t see it until just now.”

“That he could totally pull off the movie star thing?”

“Yeah.” She looks a little freaked out by it, to be honest, but Juniper is herding us all to the door and we don’t have time to talk about it anymore.

“My brother is going to do his moody-stare-at-the-cameras thing for a while,” Juniper says, rolling her eyes as she glides past the hostess holding the door for us. “Let’s go sit down.”

Our table is near enough to the windows that the photographers will be able to get some shots during lunch. Alex’s eyes keep darting in that direction and I know she doesn’t like this. Out of the three of them, Alex was the one that had the hardest time with being on TV. She looks nervous and stiff just being this close to so many cameras.

“Sit here,” I tell her, pulling out the seat that seems to be at the best angle to remain hidden from the cameras.

“Thanks, Bodhi,” she says gratefully. I feel eyes on me and look up to see Everly giving me a soft smile.

“Alex, it’s so good to finally meet you,” Juniper says, reaching over and taking her hands over the table. “I’m such a huge fan of your clothes.”

“Thank you,” Alex says, her cheeks going bright red. “It’s such an honor to work on the dress for your engagement party, Juniper—”

“Oh my God, please call me June,” the actress says. “Juniper is the name you get when your mother goes through a crunchy yoga phase right before you’re born.” She waves her hands. “Anyhow, the honor is mine. I love the sketches Everly sent over. In fact, I think we’re going to ask you guys to do the bridal gown.”

Everly’s mouth drops open in shock but Juniper—or June, apparently—doesn’t seem to notice. “We’re just waiting on final approval from my grandfather.”

“Your grandfather?” I ask, confused.

The actress waves her hand. “All this stuff has to go through him.”

“Because someone is too chickenshit to stand up to the old man,” James says, appearing behind his sister’s chair. He shoots a cocky smile around the table and I get the impression he feels like we should be grateful for the effort. “Afternoon, all.”

“You’re one to talk about being chickenshit when it comes to grandpa,” June mutters, looking annoyed.

“I’m not the one letting him make decisions about my wedding.”

“It’s a high-profile event,” she says stiffly, her cheeks going a little red. She takes a deep breath, visibly relaxing in front of us. “The Ransomes don’t want to hear our sibling bickering. Sit your ass down and stop preening. None of these waitresses want to sleep with you.”

“I beg to differ,” he says, grinning that arrogant grin again, but he listens to his sister’s direction and takes a seat.