Page 49 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

He followed her up the stairs and she tried to compose herself. She didn’t want the call with her mother to put her in a mood and should have never answered it.

But she didn’t talk to her mother often and it was the only parent she had left.

She just couldn’t be as firm or strong as Jordan was at times.

“Are you hungry?”

“I had something small when I got home and then went for a run,” he said. “That looks good though.”

His eyes were on the tray. “Thanks. I just got home, showered, changed, and put it together.”

“I should have brought wine,” he said. “That would go with it, but you told me not to.”

“I’ve got wine,” she said. “Not sure if you drink it, but I’ve got beer too. I told you I had the night covered. You’re taking me out tomorrow.”

He didn’t let her pay for anything last Saturday. Even their first dinner at McKay’s that was an impromptu thing, he paid for it.

She didn’t want to put up too much of a stink about it and asked why he kept doing it and he said it’s just the way he was raised.

Not that Garrett knew her wealth, but she made good money in her career too. He had to know that.

So maybe it was just what he said—it was how he was raised.

Her father was the same way and that was why it annoyed her that her mother needed more.

Even Elise.

Guess when it came down to it, her father didn’t have the best taste in wives.

“Do you know what movie you want to watch tonight?” He picked the tray up and brought it to the living room and then sat on her couch, putting his hand out for her to sit next to him.

“We can decide together,” she said.

“Do I get a hello kiss?” he asked.

“I thought you’d never ask,” she said, turning toward him and putting her arms around his neck.

He kissed her lightly and she kept it that way at first. Just to be held by someone felt good.

That was the problem when you were alone so much. You missed human contact.

His mouth opened and hers followed and she realized she could get lost in this. That she didn’t want to worry about the outside world or her problems.

Not what people said about her. How they looked at her. Or what they thought.

She just wanted to be in Garrett’s arms and stay like this forever.

She gasped when that thought popped into her head.

15

HAVE TO COAX HER

“What’s wrong?” Garrett asked and leaned back.

“What?” she asked.

“You just let out a sound like you’re hurt. Did I do something to hurt you or upset you?”

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