Page 49 of Home for Justice
She’d sprinted out the door that morning with her hair still damp and her stomach empty, promising herself she’d find a break in the day. That had been hours ago.
With a groan, she reached for the phone, halfway through the mental math of which pizza place delivered the fastest, when a soft knock came from the open doorframe.
She glanced up, and the sight of Tyler leaning casually against the wood stopped her short. A slow smile curved across his face, and in his hand was a paper sack that radiated the glorious scent of burgers and fries.
Her squeal was instant, her fatigue momentarily forgotten. “You are literally my favorite person right now.”
“I’m not sure if you’re more excited to see me or the food,” he said, grinning as he stepped inside.
Justice all but rushed him, hands reaching for the bag even as she laughed. “Both! Absolutely both. I was two seconds from ordering delivery and trying to survive on hope until it got here.” She turned, waved him in, then nudged the office door shut behind him. “I have an open-door policy with my team,” she said over her shoulder. “But sometimes I just need a break from being available. They know to give me space when the door’s closed.”
He waggled his brows playfully. “That sounds like there’s more on your mind than just eating burgers.”
Her laughter rang out, some of the weight from the day lifting with it. “Honestly, it just meant I didn’t want them witnessing me inhale an entire hamburger in one bite. But now that you’ve put ideas in my head…”
She stepped up to him and rose on her toes, pressing a soft kiss to his mouth.
“Let me feed you, woman,” he said with mock seriousness, his hand ghosting over her back.
They settled into the chairs near her desk, pulling open the bag like it was Christmas morning. She didn’t hold back since she was starving, and Tyler didn’t seem to mind that she devoured the burger like a woman possessed—grease, ketchup, and all.
Leaning back with a satisfied sigh, she dabbed at her lips and let out a slow exhale. “I can’t thank you enough for this. You just saved me from hangry despair.”
“Well,” he said, his tone warm, “I figured I owed you. You’ve fed dinner to me for quite a few nights.”
“I wanted to feed you,” she replied, brushing her hand across the arm of his shirt. “I liked spending time with you. And it was good for Dad, too. He’s been smiling more lately.”
Tyler reached out and gently wiped a dab of ketchup from the corner of her mouth. But instead of drawing away, his eyes stayed on her lips for a beat longer than necessary. Her pulse jumped.
“I’m going to miss you tonight,” she said softly. “I hope that doesn’t sound too much, too fast. But I’ve gotten used to seeing you.”
His smile turned tender, his gaze steady. “Why do you think I showed up now? Sure, I wanted to make sure you had something to eat. And clearly, you needed it.” His teasing grin returned, then softened again just as quickly. “But honestly? I just wanted to see you. I knew your dad and I would be heading to the AL meeting tonight, and I didn’t want to go the whole day without at least this.”
She reached across and squeezed his hand. “I’m going to have a pampering night. Long, hot bath. Glass of wine. Maybe do my nails and a face mask.”
Tyler shifted in his seat, one brow arched. “Wow… damn… sorry. Just picturing you in a bath…”
Justice laughed, the sound light and unguarded. She leaned in and kissed him again, sweet and brief.
They rose together, tossing their wrappers in the trash. But before she could return to her desk, Tyler hesitated, and his expression sobered.
“I hate to bring up anything negative,” he said, “but when I got home earlier, Anthony Milton was in my driveway.”
She whirled around, the warmth from his kiss instantly burned away, replaced by a flash of fury. “That snake! I am so sick and tired of him slithering around like he owns the county.”
Tyler didn’t flinch. “He’s getting desperate. You can hear it in the way he’s talking. He’s laying it on thicker than ever.”
Justice pressed her lips together, her thoughts spinning. She knew Tyler didn’t owe anyone anything, least of all her. Justbecause he’d decided to stay in the area and work with LSIMT didn’t mean he’d planted permanent roots. He could still change his mind. He could still sell and live somewhere else. Trying to sound casual, as though her voice came out a shade too quiet, she asked, “So… what exactly is he offering?”
Tyler’s eyes never left hers. “He said if I sell my land, he’ll build the condos. I’d get my choice of unit and could pick whatever custom finishes I wanted. Same view of the mountains. And I’d only have to pay half price for it.”
Her stomach turned, the heavy meal from earlier now sitting like stone. She hadn’t let herself imagine that Anthony would really make it tempting or that he would sweeten the pot until it seemed like a no-brainer. Her heart gave a lurch. “Oh,” she managed to say, barely above a whisper.
Tyler stepped forward without hesitation. His hands found her shoulders, grounding her, steadying her. And then, gently, he drew her into his arms. She went willingly, melted into his chest as his chin rested on the top of her head, his heartbeat strong beneath her cheek.
“Justice,” he murmured, “I’m not going to sell to him.”
The breath she hadn’t even realized she was holding fled her lungs in a rush. Her arms wound around his waist, holding on tight as tears threatened to gather behind her eyes.
