Page 60 of Can't Fight the Moonlight

He frowned as she threw his words back in his face. "Still, it's not happening."

"That's too bad. I was hoping you would hit it off with her."

"She's great, but I'm leaving on Sunday."

"I know, and I wouldn't want you to hurt her, so maybe it's best you don't start anything. In fact, you're absolutely right. You and Lizzie would never work, but I hope you had a good time this morning anyway."

"I did have a good time, and I do like her, but she loves her work as much as I love mine."

"I understand. I just want you to be happy, Justin."

"I want you to be happy, too. That's why I'm here."

She gazed up at him, her expression serious and a bit conflicted. "I wish everyone could be here. Don't you sometimes wish that, too?"

"No. I stopped wishing for that a long time ago. You should give up on that dream, Grandma; it's not happening."

"Okay. Come on, let's go find something unusual and unique," she said, slipping her arm through his. "Maybe we'll find something for your apartment, too."

"I doubt it. My décor is modern."

"Well, you never know. Sometimes you find the perfect thing when you least expect it. You just have to open your eyes, so you don't miss it."

Chapter Twelve

Lizzie spentmost of Thursday afternoon trying not to think about Justin. Fortunately, he'd gone antiques shopping with his grandmother, so he hadn't been around the inn to distract her, but he'd still come into her head. And now as she drove to her sister's house to meet up before the art and wine festival, she was back to thinking about him. She kept wondering why she was trying so hard to keep him at arm's length, when spending time in his arms was hot and exciting and pretty damned wonderful. She'd never thought she was a fling kind of girl, but when she was with Justin, she definitely wanted to be flung.

She smiled to herself at that crazy thought. Maybe she should stop fighting and just say yes. Maybe she should take what he had to offer now and forget about the future. If she ended up missing him later, would that be any worse than wondering if she'd missed out on something great?

She was no closer to an answer when she parked in Chelsea's driveway. It was good she was meeting the girls and going to the festival with them. She could have fun with her friends and forget about Justin, at least for a little while. She had a feeling he'd probably show up at the festival with his grandparents, but if he did, at least they'd have chaperones around them. Maybe that would keep the wild feelings at bay, although she doubted it.

Getting out of the car, she walked up to Chelsea's front door and rang the bell. Checking her watch, she saw she was five minutes early. Not bad considering how many small tasks she'd tried to accomplish before leaving the inn. Since Chelsea lived the closest to the art and wine festival, they'd all decided to meet here and then walk into town together.

A moment later, Chelsea threw open the door with a smile. She wore a flowing dress set off by a pair of heeled sandals, always managing to pull off a bohemian, free-spirited look. Lizzie wished she'd found something a bit more stylish to wear than her white jeans and teal-colored tank top. But she should really just be happy she'd made it at all.

"Hi, Lizzie," Chelsea said, giving her a hug. "I'm glad you came. I thought you might not be able to get away from the inn."

"I'm here. Shay is manning the desk tonight."

"How was her trip to Denver to meet her future in-laws?" Chelsea asked, waving her into the house.

"It was good. They liked her."

"Why wouldn't they? She's very likeable."

"Is Brodie coming with us?" she asked, seeing no sign of her sister's fiancé.

"No. He got called in to work. It will be just the girls. Chloe and Kevin are spending the evening celebrating his parents' wedding anniversary and neither Hannah nor Keira are bringing dates."

"That's fine. We haven't gotten together just the girls in a while. What about Gianna?"

"She said they were going to skip the festival and just barbecue at home."

"She and Zach and Hailey are a little family now," she said, as she followed Chelsea into the living room. She sat down on the couch while Chelsea took the chair across from her.

"It's sweet," Chelsea said. "They're very happy together. I'm sure it isn't easy being a stepmom, but Gianna seems to get along great with Hailey."

"Everyone is coupling up. First Gianna, then you."

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