Page 55 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

“Doing some research?” Garrett asked and then it hit her.

“Emma French?” Justine asked.

“That’s her,” Griffin said. “Do you follow her books?”

“I love her books,” she said.

“I don’t suppose you can let us know when she gets here?” Garrett said. “Got some fan girl love going and it might make me the hero tonight.”

Griffin laughed. “I can do that. Here comes Eli.”

Justine turned her head and saw another tall man walking their way in what looked to be a suit worth more than her monthly rent payment.

“Garrett,” Eli said. “Good to see you out tonight.”

“Thought we’d donate to your business, but it seems it’s only me so far,” Garrett said. “Eli Bond, this is Justine Keller.”

“Nice to meet you,” Eli said. “We love meeting new people in the family.”

She looked at Garrett who only laughed, then the two of them were left alone to go back to their game.

“I think I’ll take my winnings and not press my luck here again. I’ll watch you if you want to play some.”

“We can go to the blackjack table. I’ll stay away from Mitchell and Ethan. That’s Eli’s father and younger brother. Seems if they are losing, their table might have some bad mojo to it.”

She grinned. “That’s not true, is it?”

“No clue,” he said. “I don’t come here enough to worry about it. But you don’t need to be exposed to more remarks from family members. If you don’t want to meet Emma, that is fine too.”

“I absolutely want to,” she said, trying hard not to bounce in place. “It was very sweet of you to ask, but I don’t want to make it awkward.”

“It won’t be,” he said. “Trust me when I say she will be honored. She enjoys that stuff.”

“If you say so,” she said. “But you don’t need to worry about being the hero. I’d guess many already think you are.”

He smirked at her. Even through the dim lights and the sounds going on around her, she noticed how handsome he was. She could almost hear her heart beating in her chest.

She sure the hell felt it pounding like a drum.

“I only care what you think,” he said, reaching for her hand, their fingers touching briefly before he moved it away.

“I might be thinking it a little,” she said, holding her fingers up in a pinch.

“Good to know,” he said, laughing, and put his hand on the small of her back to move her around the crowds and to another table.

He sat down and she stood behind him. She was only watching and not playing.

There were four other people at the table. “It’s busy tonight,” she said.

“Not really,” he said. “It will pick up more later.”

She looked at her watch and noticed it was only seven. They’d had dinner at five and then came right over. They’d only been in here an hour, but it felt like ten minutes.

Guess it was true that you lost track of time in a place like this. Must be a way to lose even more money.

After a few games, she turned her head to see Griffin nodding to her.

“I’ll be right back,” she said.

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