Page 53 of Playing for Keeps
“Dinner?” Her perusal of the house could wait. Her stomach let out a low rumble at the mention of food.
“Steak, mashed potatoes, and salad. Does that sound okay?”
“Delightful.” Sweets might be her favorite, but she’d never turn down a steak.
Justin led the way into the kitchen and set the bakery box on the island. “The grill is ready for our steaks.”
“I’ll come with you,” she said, taking her coat back.
The dim light on the side of the house barely lit the area, and it was impossible to see much beyond the wooden railing topped with a thin layer of snow. Leaves rustled in the soft wind, and she pulled the collar of her coat up around her chin.
“Hmm.” Her mouth watered at the spicy smell of meat in the fresh, cool air. “It smells so good.”
“I hope it tastes good.” He checked the coals anddouble-clicked the tongs before moving the meat to the grate.
This was an entirely different experience from the last few weeks of trying to hide from him. She’d pushed him away at every turn, afraid of the hurt he could bring. Now, she craved him and the small pieces of their old life that were coming back like the first drops of rain.
Here she stood in front of the love of her life like the last twelve years never happened. It was all bittersweet. They’d missed so much, but the hope in her heart budded like a flower in spring.
Justin rested his hands on her shoulders, slowly sliding them down her arms and back up again. “If you’re cold, we can go inside.”
“I like it here.”
He glanced at their feet before lifting his chin. “You said you have something to talk to me about. Should I be afraid?”
“No. Not at all actually. I guess you know about what happened at the bakery today.”
Justin’s grip on her upper arms tightened. “What happened?”
“Um, Alicia showed up and passed out Christmas presents like Santa’s little elf. Are you serious? There were atonof presents, and you bought them all?”
His fingers relaxed around her arms. “Oh. Well,it wasn’t anything big. I couldn’t just hear their wishes and forget about them.” He let his hands slide down to hers. “I didn’t want the kids to go without like I did. You gave me my first gift as an adult. I could easily help those parents, so I did.”
That little bloom of hope in her chest was a full and beautiful rose now. One thing she hadn’t been able to forget about Justin was his quiet kindness, and it seemed he still made the world a better place one secret act at a time.
Justin pulled up the sleeve of his shirt, revealing the leather bracelet she’d given him for his birthday all those years ago.
Caroline grasped for his wrist, turning it to make certain it wasn’t a daydream. “You kept it?”
“Of course I kept it. You gave it to me. I couldn’t wear it during practice or games, but I wear it everywhere else.”
“How have I not noticed it?” she asked, more to herself than to him.
“It’s winter, and long sleeves usually cover it.”
She traced her fingertips along the band. She certainly hadn’t forgotten him, and he’d kept a steady reminder of her. The years between them suddenly felt like a dark age.
“It’s the only thing I’m attached to,” Justin whispered. “The only person I’ve ever loved gave it to me.”
She turned her hands over in his until their palms lay flat against each other. His larger hand engulfed hers as he slid his fingers into the spaces between hers.
“Is this what you wanted to talk about?”
Oh, right. She’d come here because of an overwhelming desire to see him, but she’d also prepared a list of talking points.
“Alicia told me you’ve met Jordan.”
This was the part that could get dicey. Her older brother could be a brute when he wanted to be. With his background in military communications and current career as a security agent, there were few people who could stand in front of him without cowering a little.
