Page 93 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

“This was appreciated for sure,” she said. “I’m sorry that I might not see you much while she is here. I’m going to try to work on Saturday so I can get Wednesday off even though Jordan told me not to.”

“Don’t worry in the least,” he said. “You spend that time with your sister. I would like to meet her though.”

“Trust me, that is part of the visit. She wants to meet you.”

“Then I’ll take you two out to dinner.”

Her phone went off and she grabbed it. “Jordan just sent her flight plans.”

“Then let’s make a call and see if we can get this all set up,” he said.

“Let me tell Jordan first. I don’t think she’ll have a problem with it. I’m going to tell her my winnings from the casino are being put to good use. She won’t argue with me then.”

He laughed. “Good way to do it.”

She put her phone down after she texted. “I know you don’t need to know this,” she said. “But when I say my father left us a lot, it’s over seven figures each.”

He nodded his head. “You don’t need to tell me,” he said. “I know you’re not after me for my money. Right?”

She lifted her head sharply and he laughed, then she relaxed and smiled. “No,” she said. “I’m not. I know women were with my father and I never understood that. I couldn’t be that way. Even if I didn’t have what I do now. I’d give it all back to spend the next fifty years with him.”

This time he reached his hand over. “That’s why I love you, Justine. I’m not sure you want to hear it, but I have to say it. I’m not asking you to give me answers. I’m not asking you to make any plans. I’m just telling you what is in my heart.”

Her eyes filled and a few tears rolled out quickly.

He thought for sure he just ruined what they had, but if that was the case, it was best to know now.

“I think that’s why I love you too. I can feel that and not worry about the rest. Right?”

He let out a breath. He might have wanted her to answer differently, but all he heard was she loved him too.

“That’s right,” he said.

28

SO GENTLE WITH ME

“Ifreaking traveled in style,” Jordan said on Monday night.

Justine got out of work at six and picked her sister up at the airstrip on the island at seven.

It all worked out almost seamlessly from one flight to the next and here on the island.

“You did,” she said. “What’s it like?”

“You’ll have to ride it in at some point,” Jordan said.

“I would have booked an island tour, but there aren’t any available on this short of notice. Maybe I’ll do it another time, but I doubt it’s something that Garrett would want to do.”

“Why not?” Jordan asked. “Has he before? Just because he’s been on the island most of his life doesn’t mean he’s seen it from the air.”

“True,” she said. “I didn’t think of that. I wish I had more space for you than the couch. We can sleep together if you want.”

Jordan laughed. “No, thank you. I don’t need to share a bed with my sister. The couch is fine. You can go stay with Garrett if you want and give me your bed. I’m okay with that.”

She knew her sister was joking. Garrett had offered it, but she wanted to spend as much time as she could with Jordan for this visit.

“Do you want me to?” she asked softly. “Really?”

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