Page 24 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

Uncomfortable when you’re alone for sure. And she’d just have to hope she was left alone, which had always been her fear.

It was like men saw the light blonde hair and either thought she was a ditzy blonde or an innocent angel.

Both seemed like it was a flashing sign for them to come hit on her.

She wasn’t sure she was either of those things.

Just more guarded.

“Good for you,” the hostess said. “Would you like a booth off to the side and back?”

The hostess nodded her head to the far side and she couldn’t tell if people were even in the booths, so that would be awesome.

“Perfect. Thank you so much.”

She followed the hostess to the booth and sat down, was handed a menu and told her server would be by in a minute.

She scanned the specials first and then opened the menu.

“Hi, I’m Kimber, what can I get you to drink?”

“How about an unsweetened iced tea?”

“You got it,” Kimber said. “Do you want a few more minutes to look at the menu?”

“Please,” she said and dropped her gaze to the laminated piece of paper in front of her.

She was scanning it for choices, of which there were plenty, then trying to decide on a few when she had this feeling of being watched.

She lifted her head sharply and looked toward the bar.

There was Garrett Mills sitting there by himself, his eyes on hers, a smile on his face.

Really? What were the chances of this happening on an island she’d been on for not even two weeks and knew very few people with lots of restaurants to choose from?

This was close to her apartment and had great ratings. It was the only reason she’d picked it when she was looking online.

She returned his smile. He seemed to hesitate and then picked up his beer to walk over.

This at least would kill some of the time she’d be here by herself so she was glad to have a bit of company.

Only glad because it was the friendly face of a person she knew and not some stranger making her want to crawl into the wall to be invisible.

“Playing hooky from cooking tonight?” Garrett asked. “Or waiting for someone?”

“Yes to the first, no to the second. You?”

“The same answers as you,” he said.

“Sit,” she said. “If you want. Or did you eat already?”

“Nope,” he said. “Just got here a minute ago and was looking at the menu too. Not sure what I want.”

She waited a second and decided she was going to ruin what she came in here to do. Maybe another time.

“Do you want to eat here with me? That way we aren’t both losers on our own?”

He laughed at her. Truly laughed and she wondered if she insulted him.

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