Page 31 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

“My family is aware of your situation,” he said quietly. Almost in a soothing tone, which was such a contrast to his big stature, handsome looks, and deep voice. “There will be no uncomfortable or upsetting questions about why you’re here or alone.”

She turned to look at him. “Thank you.”

“I took a gamble that it’d make it easier. This is going to be a nice friendly holiday meal. There will be talk about work, the kids, and the island. Nothing more. I promise.”

She nodded.

When she walked in the door, two older women came forward. She could tell right away who was Garrett’s mother. The calming dark blue eyes gave it away.

“Hello, Justine. I’m Selena Mills. I’m so glad my son asked you to come.”

“Thank you,” she said, reaching her hand out.

“I’m Lacy Mills,” Garrett’s aunt said. “Please come into our home. We’ll try not to bombard you.”

“Like you did at the door,” Garrett said, leaning in to kiss his mother and aunt on the cheek.

What a sweet move.

She’d never seen a man do that before.

Maybe her heart skipped a few beats watching it.

“Just wanted to introduce ourselves,” Selena said, winking at her son.

“It’s fine,” Justine said. “Here. I brought chocolate. I’m not much of a baker. I figured everyone loves chocolate.”

“Thank you,” Lacy said. “Oh, these are my favorites. Did you go to Boston to get them?”

“I had Friday off and took the ferry over,” she said. “There were a few things I needed to get there anyway.”

She didn’t but used that as an excuse to hit a few shops and pick stuff up. She’d left her car at the docks and boarded the ferry and had an Uber waiting for her when she got to Boston.

She hadn’t been looking forward to bringing her car on and off any more than she needed to.

“Even sweeter,” Selena said. “Come in and we’ll introduce you to everyone.”

Justine moved toward the back of the house, got introduced to Garrett’s cousins, father, and uncle, then took a seat on an upholstered chair. He sat on the arm next to her after he got her a glass of wine.

She was there as his friend, but it sure the hell felt like something much more by the time the day was done.

10

A MOMENT OF WEAKNESS

“You went to a holiday dinner with a guy’s family?” Jordan asked her two days later. “A guy that you just met? My sister, who won’t go on a date with a guy until she’s talked to him for a few weeks? Not even texts, but actually talked in person or on the phone?”

She rolled her eyes at her sister’s laughter. “Not true,” she said.

“What isn’t true? That you didn’t go to a holiday dinner with some guy? Or that you need more than a few weeks to talk to a guy before a date?”

“Now you’re just riding my butt,” she said.

Justine didn’t date often because she was the shy one between the two of them.

But she did date. When she found someone she was interested in.

It’d just been a few years since it was more than a few dates.

---