Page 68 of Nothing Heals Me Like You Do

Taking a deep breath, Justine made a decision. “Darrel, I need you to handle this. Call Taylor; she’s experienced with these kinds of situations. She’s built a rapport with Lila over the past few weeks. I trust you both to manage things until I can check in later.”

There was a pause at the other end—a moment of surprised silence. “Are you sure?” Darrel asked. “You always handle these situations yourself.”

“Yes, I’m sure. Keep me updated, but I’m not coming in tonight. I have plans with Sienna, and I need to be there for her.”

She ended the call and turned to see Sienna watching her, a mixture of surprise and relief in her eyes. Justine walked over and took Sienna’s hands in hers, feeling the warmth of her skin, the gentle strength in her fingers.

“You’re staying?” Sienna asked softly.

Justine nodded, her throat tight with emotion. “Tonight, I’m choosing us. Darrel and Taylor can handle it. I want—I need—to be with you and your family.”

Sienna’s eyes shimmered as she leaned in and kissed Justine. It wasn’t a kiss of passion, but one of gratitude and love, a recognition of the significance of this moment. Warmth spread through Justine—a sense of rightness and balance that had eluded her for so long.

As they left for Maxine’s party, peace settled over Justine. She knew she wouldn’t change overnight, that there would still be struggles and moments of tension. But this was a step, a conscious choice to prioritize the woman she loved, to find a way to be true to both her life’s work and her heart.

She could be there for Sienna and still be committed to the shelter. It wasn’t all or nothing; it was about finding the moments that mattered and choosing love when it counted. As she walked hand in hand with Sienna into the celebration, Justine knew that this was one of those moments.

Tonight, she was exactly where she needed to be.

Chapter39

Three Weeks Later

Sienna was sitting on the balcony of her apartment, holding a large envelope in her hands. Los Angeles seemed somehow quieter with Bobby gone. As if someone had turned down the volume on life itself—such had been her father’s loud presence, despite Sienna not having had nearly enough time with him.

The sunset painted the LA skyline in strokes of orange and pink. Justine came to sit beside her.

“I didn’t have enough of these with my dad.” Sienna nodded at the setting sun. Her father had not been the kind of guy to quietly enjoy the end of a day.

Justine reached out her hand and covered Sienna’s with hers; it was warm and reassuring.

Sienna leaned into Justine’s shoulder. Something about her made it easier to breathe, to accept the heaviness of grief without letting it pull her under. Justine had this quiet strength that made Sienna feel safe and protected.

Being with Justine was like discovering a secret pathway through the wilderness of her emotions. Justine’s maturity was a light in the dark, guiding Sienna through this unexpected grief with a gentleness she hadn’t known she needed. It wasn’t only Justine’s age, but everything she’d gone through. It made her empathy as deep as the roots of an old, sturdy tree.

“I have something for you.” Sienna toyed with the envelope. “For the shelter, actually.” She gave Justine the envelope. “It’s not really from me. It’s from my dad.”

“Oh, babe.” Justine’s eyes moistened. She was, no doubt, clever enough to guess what was in that simple, brown envelope. “Thank you.” Justine’s voice was soft and solemn, as though she wanted to honor the moment with her tone.

Justine pulled out a stack of papers. The first page said, in big black letters:

The Rainbow Shelter Endowment Fund

Sienna had worked with her lawyer and financial advisor to set up a special investment fund that would generate a steady yearly income for the shelter. The profits of the fund could only ever go to the Rainbow Shelter, no matter what happened.

Justine leafed through the pages. Her eyes went wide as saucers when she saw some of the projected numbers.

“Oh my god, babe.” She glanced at Sienna. “Is this for real?”

“It’s very real.”

“Fuck me,” Justine muttered under her breath.

“Maybe later,” Sienna joked.

“Seriously.” Justine swallowed the lump in her throat. “Five million a year?” She huffed out an incredulous breath. “I can’t believe this.” She turned her head and fixed her damp gaze on Sienna. “I don’t know how to ever thank you for this.”

“It’s for the shelter and it’s Bobby’s money.” Sienna had put nearly all the money she had inherited from her father into the fund. She already had all the money she needed. She had this place—that her father had bought for her. The kids at the shelter had nothing. “You don’t have to thank me. If anything, I should thank you.”

---