Page 53 of Justus
Smiling,she pats the bed beside her, and I take a seat. “Something is on your mind.Spill it.”
Ican’t help it. It all comes pouring out. “I lied. We lied. There wasn’t reallyan engagement. Well, there was but he did it without asking me. He was supposedto be a fake boyfriend, not a fake fiancé. I’m so sorry. I thought you weredying and I didn’t want you to worry about me.”
Sheshakes her head, a little smile on her face. “Sadie Belmont, do you think I wasborn yesterday? When you brought Justus to my birthday visit, it was clear youbarely knew each other. It was also obvious that was because of your choice,not his. I knew what you were doing, but I also saw the look on his face everytime he looked at you. You might have been faking, but he wasn’t. And the factyou’re still wearing his ring says you aren’t faking it anymore.”
“Ican’t believe you knew.”
“Iknow you as well as I know myself, little girl. And you love him.”
Restingmy head in my hands, I mumble, “This wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“Peoplehave found their true loves in stranger ways,” she laughs.
“Idon’t know. We’re very different. I don’t think it’ll work out. And if itdoesn’t, I’ll never get over it. I’ve never felt like this. I don’t know whatto do.”
Momrubs my arm with her bruised up hand. “Love him. It’s all you can do. Nothingis guaranteed in this life, Sade. You have to risk your heart to find the manwho deserves to own it. Sometimes, you risk it more than once, and have ithanded to you in tatters, but you have to let it heal, stitch it back together,and try again. In the end, it’s worth it.”
“Andif I told you he’s a stripper, not a programmer?”
Momslaps the table, her laugh filling the room. “I knew it! That man is a walkingwet dream. Of course he strips. And …oh.” Her eyes widen at a suddenrealization. “If he’s a good dancer, I’ll bet he’s amazing in bed.”
“Mom!”
“Well?”
“BestI’ve ever had,” I grumble.
Shesmiles at me. “His job doesn’t matter. If it bothers you, talk to him about it,but it’s clear you’re the only woman he has eyes for. Now.” She slaps my arm.“Get the hell out of here and don’t you dare come back tomorrow. Spend sometime with that man and make me some grandbabies while I get well enough tochase them around.”
“I’llbe here the day after tomorrow when they move you to rehab,” I promise. “I loveyou.”
“Loveyou, baby girl. Now, send your brother in here. I need to straighten him outtoo. Apparently, kids listen better after a near death experience.”
Laughing,I close her door behind me and send Doug in.
Spendsome time with Justus. Hmm…I need to find something fun for us to do tomorrow.
It’slate when I get home, and my stomach is growling from the second I step insideand smell the beef stew I put in the crock pot this morning.
“Honey,you’re home!” Jutus exclaims, coming around the corner wearing one of Mom’saprons. It’s pastel yellow with tulips all over it. I might not have laughedquite as hard if it wasn’t the only thing he was wearing.
“Youlike?” he asks, spinning around so I can see his tight, perfect ass.
“Reallysexy, babe.”
“Iknow, right? How is your mom doing?”
“Better.She’s banned me from visiting tomorrow, so I’m taking you out.”
Hiseyebrows jump up. “Taking me out, huh? What are we doing?”
“You’lljust have to wait and see.”
“Youlittle tease.”
Ithrow my arms around him, unable to resist anymore. My voice cracks when Ispeak. “Thank you, Justus. For everything.”
“Hey.”His voice is as soft as his hand stroking my hair. “You don’t have to thank me.What’s this about?”
