Page 68 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

They spent the weekends together when she wasn’t working, and if she was, they had dinner during the week.

He’d spent the night at her apartment every time they stayed the night together. She’d yet to see his house.

She didn’t know why that was and part of her wasn’t thinking much of it until recently.

Could be it just fell that way, that he was always coming to her.

“You could say that,” she said.

“So,” Gabriela said, “what are your intentions with my brother?”

“What?” she asked.

She’d had no one ask her that before.

Wasn’t that something that a father asked a guy?

Not that her father ever did because half the time she wasn’t with someone long enough for her father to meet them.

It’s not that her father wasn’t interested, but more likely he’d make some comments when she was dating someone and she’d know her father wouldn’t approve of them.

Why bother to get further into a relationship with a person if she’d end up listening to her father? He always had good sound advice when it came to her life.

Gabriela motioned for her to go to the side, so she walked out from behind the counter and went to talk.

“My brother has had a rough year,” Gabriela said. “And I know you have too. I’m not saying anything in regards to that. But he locks everything in and is there for everyone and puts himself last. I don’t want to see him hurt any more than he’s been. He’s been through enough.”

She wanted to be annoyed but wouldn’t.

“I’ve got a younger sister who is much more outspoken than me,” she said. “She’d probably do the same thing as you.”

Which reminded her she hadn’t talked to her sister in weeks. Nothing more than texts.

“So you’re okay I’m talking to you?”

“I’d hope we’d talk,” she said. “I like your brother a lot. I care for him. But what we have is between us. We are working it out. I’m not someone that likes drama and I’m carrying a lot on my shoulders.”

Gabriela nodded her head. “He does the same.”

“He does a good job not showing it,” she said, frowning.

“Exactly,” Garrett’s sister said. “Which is why I’m worried.”

“There is no reason to be worried,” she said. “I have no intention of hurting your brother. But I don’t move fast. It’s the way I am. If your brother is okay with it, why can’t you be?”

Gabriela laughed. “I like that you’re not afraid to speak your mind.”

She frowned again.

She’d never been one to do that with anyone other than her father or Jordan.

“It doesn’t happen often,” she said.

“Then maybe what is going on with my brother has more meaning than you want to admit.”

Her lips twitched while she thought of that. “Could be.”

“And you’re honest so I can’t fault you there,” Gabriela said. “I’m the same way. I don’t want to cause problems.”

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