Page 101 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

She turned the corner and there was Garrett on the far side of the deck away from the gate and a woman in a crop top, her hair in a ponytail, and what looked to be very tiny shorts that almost had a little skirt over them. For show because they sure the hell weren’t covering anything, even with her sitting down.

“Hi,” Justine said, walking up the stairs.

Garrett jumped as if he was caught with his hand in the candy bowl on Halloween eating it rather than handing it out. Her heart sank.

How the heck could she have been so stupid?

What did her sister say? There was nothing negative about Garrett?

When you can’t find something negative, there has to be a reason and she’d been too blind to see it.

“Justine,” he said, standing. “I’m sooooo glad to see you.”

He moved toward her and put his arm around her waist, pulled her close, and kissed her on the lips. All of it exaggerated and she stiffened waiting for the ax to fall and chop her head off.

“Who is this?” the woman asked.

“This is my girlfriend, Justine Keller. Justine, Vanessa....” Did he not know her last name?

“Vanessa Winters,” Vanessa said, standing up, her very toned body on display like she was on the prowl. Older than her, most likely older than Garrett too. Prowl might be the right word. “I’m Garrett’s neighbor. I had no idea he had a girlfriend. He’s never said a word and we visit often.”

“Not often,” Garrett said, squeezing her side. “I haven’t seen Vanessa in over a month. I’m not around much.”

“Oh,” Vanessa said, waving her hand. “I never keep track. We’ve been neighbors and friendly for years.”

Years and he couldn’t think of the woman’s last name?

She didn’t like the smirk on Vanessa’s face either. One that said the woman thought she had the upper hand or at least planned on causing some issues.

But Justine didn’t know what to make of the pleading look on Garrett’s either.

She was trying not to slam the gavel down on a guilty verdict, but it was damn hard.

No way in hell she was letting this woman know she was affected by this.

“Nice to meet you,” she said. “I thought I’d surprise Garrett today.”

“Do you not live on the island?” Vanessa asked.

“I do,” she said, smiling. “I’ve been here quite a few times. I’m surprised being his neighbor you haven’t seen me?”

Maybe this was why Garrett always pulled into his garage or didn’t bring her over in the beginning. Could it be he was trying to hide something?

No, she wasn’t going to let her mind do that.

“I’ve been out of town for a few weeks,” Vanessa said. “I tend to travel for work. Guess I missed it.”

Vanessa’s smile was more forced now and she’d hit a nerve for sure. “Could be,” she said cheerfully.

“I’ll just get out of your way,” Vanessa said. “I’ll take a rain check on that drink.”

“Sure,” Garrett said.

When he turned to look at her, her eyes were all but bugging out of her head.

“Care to explain that?” she whispered when it was just the two of them.

“Let’s go inside. I’ll explain. I promise.”

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