Page 35 of Fighting for Brielle
“Would you like to do a few touristy things while we’re in LA?”
“Sure.” So, she wanted to spend the rest of the day with him!
Their first destination was a food truck. They both declared they were hungry after their sparring match. While they devoured pressed Cuban sandwiches and bags of potato chips, Justice wanted to know if he’d been too rough with her.
“I would feel horrible if I gave you any more bruises.”
“I’ll let you know tomorrow,” she replied, offering a smile. “But even if I am bruised, it was worth it.”
Sensing the subject was unpleasant for her, he dropped it, and they discussed the sights Brielle planned to show him as they finished their sandwiches.
They toured LA, strolling along its famous boulevards and laughing over the exorbitant price tags of items displayed in windows. Brielle waited until an hour before sunset to take Justice to the hills above the Hollywood sign. There, they watched the sun sink low in the sky until it disappeared, and the city below them glowed brilliantly with light.
“Breathtaking,” Justice murmured.
Brielle slipped her arm around his waist, and he drew her close to him. They stayed like that for several minutes, enjoying the comfortable intimacy between them.
“There’s one more place I want to show you,” Brielle said, eventually moving toward the bike. “The Griffith Conservatory. It’s spectacular at night, and we have just enough time to get there before it closes.”
They were too late to get into the planetarium, so they spent an hour wandering through the other areas.
As they left, Justice rubbed his stomach and exclaimed, “I’m starving! What about you?”
“I’m ravenous,” she confessed. “I know a great place to eat that serves the best food in LA.”
Thirty minutes later, Brielle pulled into the parking lot of Vinny’s Bar and Grill. As soon as they stepped into the dimly lit, noisy restaurant, Vinny rushed from behind the bar to meet them. The short, stocky owner pulled Brielle into a bear hug and kissed her on both cheeks.
“Brielle! What a surprise! It’s been too long.” Vinny quickly appraised Justice and offered a knowing grin. “She’s my avenging angel. A year ago, I was left for dead in the alley behind my restaurant. Not only did Brielle find me and save my life, she chased the thief and got the cash deposit back. Now, he’s rotting in prison.”
Turning toward her, his grin grew even broader. “I’m so glad you’re not with that whiny, artsy-fartsy weasel anymore, and found yourself a new boyfriend.” Thrusting his hand out, he continued, “I’m Vinny Bono.”
Justice shook his hand with a firm grip. “Justice McQuaid.” He didn’t bother to correct Vinny’s assumption that he was Brielle’s boyfriend.
Neither did she. In fact, she boasted, pride resonating in her voice, “Justice is a retired lieutenant commander, a SEAL. He’s just been appointed Chief of Police of Laguna Beach.”
Beaming, Vinny looked from one to the other. “Well, it’s about time you found someone worthy of you. Come on. I’ll show you to a table and bring you a huge platter of barbecued ribs. Once you’ve tasted my ribs, Justice, you’ll never be satisfied with anyone else’s. Mine are the best in LA.”
He brought them two bottles of beer and promised to be back with their appetizers.
When they were alone, guilt swirled through Justice for not being completely honest with Brielle about his brain injury. Although she didn’t mention any of the difficulties he experienced throughout the day, he knew they were on her mind, and she deserved an explanation.
He took a long swig of his beer and cleared his throat. “Brielle, there’s something I neglected to tell you yesterday about my brain injury. I…I’m not fully recovered. And it’s highly unlikely that I ever will be.”
Justice shared his primary issues with her and studied her face as he spoke, looking for signs of rejection, or worse, pity. Neither appeared in her expression. She drew closer to him, leaning forward, caressing his forearm, and asking questions about his condition when she needed clarification.
He fell silent as Vinny set two salads and fresh bottles of beer on the table and made a few teasing remarks before he returned to the kitchen.
Meeting Brielle’s eyes, he began awkwardly, “Um…I…don’t know what you’re thinking right now.”
“No? Well, I’m thinking that it took a lot of courage for you to be honest with me. You’re the bravest man I’ve ever met, and…perfect boyfriend material.” Her tiger’s eyes sparkled with a teasing light as she grinned at him.
Justice relaxed, though his heart flipped. He resisted the urge to cup her face and kiss her senseless. He kept that in the back of his mind for later.
Smiling, he replied, “According to Vinny.”
After enjoying Vinny’s succulent barbecued ribs and baked beans and sharing a rich, decadent piece of chocolate cake, they complimented his culinary skills and promised to visit again soon.
When they reached Justice’s motorcycle, Brielle handed him the keys. “You’ve got this. I’ll tell you step by step how to get to the highway, and from there it’s a straight shot down to Laguna Beach.”
