Page 40 of Playing for Keeps
He bit his bottom lip as his lips spread in a soft smile. “You’ve been keeping up with me?”
She playfully slapped his shoulder. “It would be hard not to know what you were up to when your face is everywhere on TV and online.”
He pulled her a little closer and rested his cheek to her forehead, further melting her heart. “I kept up with you too, sweetheart.”
15
CAROLINE
Thirteen years ago
Caroline pulled the sheet of cookies out of the oven and breathed in the warm, chocolate smell. They were double chocolate—Justin’s favorite, and if he arrived on time, they’d still be warm.
Skye padded into the kitchen of the small house they shared and sighed. “Wow. That smells amazing.”
Caroline scooped one up with a spatula and offered it to Skye. “They’re for Justin’s birthday, but you can have one.”
Skye grabbed a paper towel before letting Caroline slide it onto her hand. “Best roomie ever. So, areyou sure your family won’t decide to drop in unannounced tonight?”
Caroline’s parents had surprised her a few times since she and Skye set up house together, but being able to spend time with Justin without meeting at her family’s land on the edge of town was a definite plus to having her own place.
“I told them I had to be at work early in the morning.” Caroline held up a finger. “Which is not a lie. I do. And I also told Mom I had dinner in the slow cooker, so she doesn’t have an excuse to stop by to bring me food.”
Skye lifted her cookie. “Smart girl. I know you hate lying to them.”
Hate was a mild word for the twisting in Caroline’s gut. She couldn’t go much longer without telling her mom, at least, that she was in love with a great man. She’d always told her mother everything.
“I’ll tell them eventually. It would be a whole lot easier if his dad would stop terrorizing them.”
Ever since Justin had gone to college, it was as if Chuck was bored. The sickening truth was that he didn’t have Justin to fight with to take up his time.
“So glad Justin isn’t awful like his dad,” Skye said before stuffing the cookie into her mouth. “He must be adopted.”
“Unfortunately, Chuck is his real father. I’d hate to see what kind of damage Chuck could do tosomeone he isn’t related to if he’s so hateful to his own flesh and blood.”
Skye’s whole body shivered. “You’re right. Justin was dealt a bad hand.”
A knock came from the front door, and Skye brushed the cookie crumbs off her hands onto the paper towel. “That’s my cue. I’m going to Joe’s to watch a movie. I’ll text when I’m on my way back.”
“You don’t have to leave when he comes over,” Caroline said as she untied her apron and hung it on the hook beside the mail slip on the wall.
“I definitely do. You two are sickeningly sweet.”
Caroline halted and gasped, resting a hand on her chest. “Why are you saying that like it’s a bad thing? Sweet is good.”
Skye scrunched her nose. “You’re too sweet. I said what I said.”
Laughing, Caroline turned her back on Skye and went to let Justin in. “Fine. I’ll see you later.”
“Love you!” Skye called before the back door closed behind her.
Caroline pressed her cheek against the front door. “What’s the password?” she sang.
“Snickerdoodle,” Justin said.
She threw the door open, and Justin rushed into her, sweeping her off her feet and swinging her legs in the air as they twirled. Holding onto him, she gave in to the weightlessness of flying. Her arms tightenedaround his neck as the scruff of his short beard scratched against her face.
“I missed you, cupcake,” Justin whispered against her ear as his embrace tightened around her ribs. “I missed you so much.”
