Page 183 of Love in Riverbend
“There’s a little more to it,” I say.
“We’re all ears,” Kandace says.
Swallowing my tea, I say, “He didn’t know who I was. It was at the Gordons’ hog roast.”
Dax leans back. “That was you?”
Justin nods.
“Man, he was talking about you for weeks. No one else saw you.”
I reply, “I didn’t tell anyone I was in town.”
Justin chimes in. “I later learned she was here for her interview with Cory.”
“Even Cory didn’t know who you were talking about,” Dax says.
Justin turns my way with a sexy grin. “I couldn’t believe no one else saw her. I couldn’t forget her.”
“Okay,” Kandace says. “Now get to the good part. When did he figure out who you were? Or are, I should say.”
I go on to tell them the story of Marilyn’s dad being called into work. Justin taking his place. How he pretended not to recognize me. Even Randy is laughing when I tell them about the open windows and slamming doors. I leave out the part about the fortuitous moving tote.
“I guess,” Justin says, “you can say the rest is history.”
“That reminds me,” I say. “Since Justin and Ricky have known one another their whole lives, I’m going to need some dirt to hold over his head, things he did as a child.”
Kandace laughs. “Oh, I have hours of material. We may need wine.” She pouts. “No wine for me.”
There is that rumor.
“Congratulations,” I say.
Her smile beams. “Thank you. We weren’t exactly trying.”
“We weren’t not trying,” Dax adds.
It’s Randy Sheers who holds up his hands. “Not a conversation for a dad to hear.” He clutches his chest with a grin. “Remember, your old man has a bad heart.”
“Your heart is the best,” Bridget says. She stands. “Devan brought fresh strawberries, and I found vanilla ice cream in the freezer. Who wants some?”
Everyone says yes.
I stand up to help with clearing the table when Justin reaches for my arm. “You don’t have to help.”
“You help at my house. I want to.”
It feels right to help Kandace and Bridget. They’re fun and keep the conversation light. After the ice cream and strawberries, I worry I will need to undo the button on my shorts. Justin and I stay a while, talking, watching Molly, and having a nice afternoon.
As we’re driving toward my house, Justin asks, “How do you feel about a weekend getaway?”
Chapter 30
Justin
“Is it too soon?” I ask. “I know we haven’t been official long, but I feel like this all started a few months ago, at the hog roast. I was thinking, since neither one of us has our own place, maybe we could spend some time…” I peer to my side.
Devan is smiling.
