Justice For Juniper (Tatienne Richard) novel Chapter 40

Designated Driver – Part II

“What kind of thoughts?” Beni looked at Juniper curiously.

“The kind where there are four in the bed and,” Suki started.

“Suki!” Juniper knew her face was bright pink as the car pulled out of the underground parking lot and into the evening city light.

Beni’s chuckle filled the interior of the car, “Suki, poor Juniper is likely to have a heart attack with you planting such wicked thoughts in her head.”

“Her mother wants her to sign onto Tinder.”

“Don’t do that,” Beni reached out and took Juniper’s hand in hers and kissed her fingertips. “If you’re only looking for hookups there are plenty of men in your vicinity to help with such things. When you’re ready for more than that, the same men will still be there. We’re not going anywhere, sunshine.”

“I don’t want to lose my friends, even my new ones.” She whispered nervously.

“Do you know, Phineas, Adil and I have known each other since we were born? Our fathers were best friends and our mother’s hung out. Our dads were pretty competitive and when Mr. P told his buddies he was ready to start a family well then it was game on. We were all born within a month of each other.

Phineas is the oldest, then me and then Adil. There is nothing any of them could ever do which would make me love them less. We were blessed having my mom around us growing up, helping us navigate our friendships. We have very open, honest, and real communication with the three of us. All we ever want for one another is happiness.”

“You’re suggesting she should experiment with the three of you?” Suki boldly asked. “What if she chose Phineas and not you?”

“Then I’m grateful for the opportunity to have kissed those lips.”

“What if she chose someone not in your little friend group?” Suki was pushy.

“All I want is for Juniper to be happy again.” Beni said with a shrug, “and I know both Phineas and Adil feel the same way.

Juniper gave a nervous jump as he put her hand back on her lap, but his fingers stroked the inside of her thigh where her dress rose up a smidge too high. She gulped too much air and choked on her own spit and Suki snorted.

“I can’t see your hand Beni. What are you doing?”

Beni lifted his hand off the steering wheel, “it’s right here.” His grin was broad as Suki chortled with glee at Juniper’s hiss of embarrassment, but he didn’t pull his other hand away as he wrapped it around the warmth of her thigh. He shot Juniper a sideways glance, “you okay?”

“Yes.” She put her other hand over his and watched his smile broaden.

A few minutes later they were pulling into a gas station and Suki leaned forward, “I’m going inside to grab some gum. Coming?”

“Sure. Mints might be a good thing to have tonight.” She shot Beni what she hoped was a flirty look.

“Sunshine, you could have licked dog shit off a filthy floor, and I’d still want to put my tongue in your mouth.”

“Exactly but I’m with your mom, though. Don’t marry the first guy you kiss. Explore yourself a bit first. Find out what you like and stop trying to conform to what someone else wants for you. When we were eating earlier, you mentioned you were recognizing a lot of the ways you’ve changed over the years of being with him. Dropping drama, doing the community college course for administrative assistant instead of getting your degree in business you were originally intending because you knew you could only afford to pay for one degree between you, and you knew his law degree was going to be the better money maker in the long run. You planned your whole lives out at sixteen, seventeen, eighteen without knowing who you would grow into. I think it’s really important for you to view this as an opportunity to learn more about what Juniper the adult wants for her life versus what teenage Juni planned out for yourself with his input.”

“I know.”

“I’m telling you. He ruined my entire life! I know it was him behind my tires getting slashed. My parents threw me out because his father and grandfather went off the deep end that I wrecked someone else’s marriage. It’s not like I did it single handedly! None of my friends other than you are talking to me because they all think I’m going to ruin their marriages and sleep with their husbands, and I know it’s because Phineas told his friend circle to tell everyone what I did.”

Juniper made wide eyes at Suki and mouthed, “that’s Denise.”

Suki wrinkled her nose up and started to walk towards her, but Juniper shook her head at her. Suki wanted to protest but Juniper was pulling her towards the cash to pay for her gum and candies. Denise was at the back of the shop looking at bottles of wine and complaining she couldn’t afford decent wine anymore.

She wasn’t sure why, but it hurt to see Denise, even if she was complaining of her miserable life. It hurt this was the woman Kyst decided to throw their marriage all away over.

Juniper was on edge, trying not to shake, when Beni c. pay for his gas. She flicked her gaze towards where Denise vas yapping loudly about Phineas. His face transformed into one o disgust and he shuddered visibly. Suki caught it and she giggle

Beni wrapped his arm around Juniper’s shoulder and whispered in her ear, “Kyst was a fucking idiot, and it has never been more apparent than in this moment. She’s trash and you’re class, baby.” He tilted her chin and pressed a lingering sweet kiss to her lips. “She’s nothing and you are everything and while I’m sorry you are hurting, I’m so glad I get this chance with you.”

She blinked at the quiet affirmative words he spoke, and she stood on tiptoes to kiss his cheek, “thank you Beni.”

“Thank you, sunshine.”

“Benicio?” Denise saw him and beelined towards him.

He ignored her and passed his credit card to the attendant to pay for the gas and the treats the girls put on the counter.

“You need to talk to Phineas!” she narrowed her gaze at him and he wrapped his arm around Juniper. “I didn’t know you the way had a girlfriend, Benicio.”