Page 80 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

“Thanks,” Garrett said when they walked a few feet away. “I don’t need to hear that tonight.”

He’d spoken that quietly to his father, his mother and Justine walking ahead for the moment.

“I know,” his father said. “But you better get used to it. It might be on a lot of people’s minds. Just push it off.”

“I will,” he said, but his eyes landed on Justine.

“You have to make decisions for you and no one else,” his father said.

“I plan on it.”

24

PART OF YOUR FAMILY

Three hours later, Justine was struggling to keep the smile plastered to her face.

If she heard one more time what a beautiful couple she and Garrett were, she might scream.

They were more than just looks. It’s not like anyone talked to her about her job or what she did.

Half of the men she was introduced to just nodded at her, some sneered a bit, others all but patted her on the head as a blonde with no brain.

Maybe she experienced that when she was a kid growing up, but as an adult, they knew her as her father’s daughter. Her father bragged about her, they knew she was smart.

People that she met were at her job, and because of her career, they knew she wasn’t some airhead that didn’t have a thought in her brain other than fashion.

“Don’t let it get to you,” Laine said.

Laine had moved over and sent her a smile as she took Garrett’s seat.

“What’s that?”

“The looks that you are all surface and no substance. I’ve gotten them most of my life. Now I don’t care. I don’t need approval from anyone. I know my worth and value to society.”

It was the humorous way she said it. “I do too, but it’s hard not knowing anyone here.”

“I was new to the island too,” Laine said. “A few years ago. I’ve got a bit of a reputation as being a little out there. Whatever helps sell my artwork, sure.”

Laine was laughing. “Did Laine tell you how we met?” Carson asked when he moved closer to his wife.

“No,” she said. “But something tells me it’s a funny story.”

“Let me tell it,” Laine said almost bouncing in her seat. “I’d just finished one of my favorite pieces and Beyoncé was blaring on the radio. I broke out into dance like I always do and jammed my finger on the wall.”

“She has a mouth on her,” Carson said. “Silly swear words that took me time to figure out what she was saying while I was taking X-rays.”

“And the rest was history,” Laine said, giggling. “Well, I asked Carson for a baby, and he gave me two. Then we got married.”

There was a round of laughter to that statement. It had to be a joke.

“That is quite the story,” Justine said, her eyes moving around the table.

“What my wife is trying to say is that people are always going to talk. If you’re with a Bond family member, it will be more, but we are a tight group. It only happens so much, then it will stop quickly if it gets out of hand.”

“I don’t need anyone to protect me,” she said.

“Good girl,” Garrett said, moving closer. “She’s stronger than she gives herself credit for.”

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