Page 75 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

“Yes,” she said. “I got picked up at the docks and driven around and brought back. I know this takes getting used to.” They ran into the traffic now and were just stopped. “But I’m missing the island.”

He laughed. “Living here for so long I never thought much of it. I’d go to the island on the weekends and notice how nice it was not to deal with traffic but never stayed long enough for it to take effect. Now it does.”

“Does that mean you’re thinking of staying on the island?” she asked.

He still had a lot of time to decide and it wasn’t as if he couldn’t change his mind.

She knew he wanted to bring it up and hadn’t. Or she tried to change the subject when he hinted.

It felt like that was wrong on her part, but most times she couldn’t stop herself from avoiding it when she knew she had no answers for him.

“I haven’t decided,” he said. “Nothing is off the table. Plenty of time to decide. You?”

“The same,” she said, grinning. “Though my boss checked in with me to see if I was losing my mind yet.”

“She said it that way?” he asked, frowning.

She patted his leg. “No. But it was implied. She’s not fond of the island. I can see where it’s not for everyone.”

“What do you see?” he asked.

“Come on now, Garrett. You know it’s not for everyone. You haven’t even lived on the island for years other than visiting.”

“You’re right,” he said. “Not sure what I was thinking.”

She thought he wanted answers she didn’t have, but he was being nice enough to not say that.

“Let’s just enjoy our time here. We can spend it doing something tomorrow and you can give me a taste of Boston. I’d only been here a few months and I didn’t do all that much. It’d be nice to see some things or shop. I don’t know. Just to do something. I can’t wait to see your place too.”

He turned to look at her. “Really?” he asked. “You haven’t said anything on the island about seeing my house.”

She laughed. “I didn’t know I had to ask to see your house. Is that why you haven’t asked me over? Or were you hiding something from me?”

“Nothing to hide,” he said, laughing. “I promise. I guess I always pick you up and we end up back at your place. But I do have a much bigger bed so I’m looking forward to that.”

She pushed at his leg. “You’re silly. I can’t believe it never occurred to you I’d want to see your place.”

“I promise you,” he said, “it didn’t. But you’ll see my condo. They are much different. My condo is smaller and more modern. My house isn’t huge by most standards in my family.”

“Because it was a weekend home?” she asked.

“Yes. But I’ve had work done to it. I’ll bring you over when we go back to the island on Sunday.”

She smiled. “Thanks. I can’t wait to see it. I wish I could show you my apartment while we are here, but it’s subleased. I’d like to check in on it since all my furniture and stuff is there, but I can’t.”

“I want to see it,” he said. “When you’re able to show me.”

“Look at us,” she said. “Being all open and accommodating.”

He laughed at her. “I hear sarcasm in there and I like it.”

“I don’t normally do that and am not sure where it came from.”

“I like you feel as if you can be yourself with me,” he said. “And you’re going to see my sister tonight. No issues there, right?”

“I told you I was fine with her. Are we sitting with most of your family?”

“We’ll sit with my parents and Gabriela. I think there will be some others from my department at the table, but my cousins will all be there with their spouses so I bet they are close by.”

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