Page 34 of Playing for Keeps
That was one way to hit him in the gut. “It would have crushed me.”
“Crushed you? But you let her go.” Skye’s voice rose as her anger climbed. “You made her feel likeshe was disposable. You hurt my friend, and I’m scared you’re going to do it again.”
Justin nodded. He should have expected this. Skye was the one who stayed. She was the one who probably picked Caroline up off the floor when he left. Now, facing the consequences of his actions meant humbling himself before everyone he’d hurt, including Caroline’s best friend.
“Everything you said is true. I didn’t deserve her then, and I don’t deserve her now. I made decisions back then that I thought were best, but I ended up hurting the person I loved the most.”
“Yeah, you did,” Skye shot back before her shoulders fell in defeat. “I don’t like it when she’s sad like this. It’s her favorite time of the year, and she’s hurting again because of you.”
He let the guilt hit him with its full force. “Are you saying she’s not going to give me another chance?”
Skye scoffed. “I don’t know the answer to that, but I think she wants to. She’s just afraid to trust you again. Rightly so.”
“I promise I’m here for good this time. Or, I’m wherever Caroline is.”
Skye looked him up and down, took a deep breath, and studied his work on the shelves. “Nice job. I’ll let you get back to it.”
Everything Skye said was true. Caroline hadtrusted him with her heart, and he’d broken it. Was there anything he could do to fix what he’d done?
There had to be. If there was a chance she’d have him back, he had to do everything in his power to make sure she knew he was in it for good this time.
Once the stock room was organized, Justin found a broom in a small closet and swept the floor. He’d do any little thing he could to help Caroline out today. Plus, seeing the place she loved thriving the way she always wanted was inspiring. This was her dream, and she’d achieved it.
By noon he’d worked a major overhaul on the stock room and placed a call to Nick to request a lunch delivery. Alicia mentioned that Caroline was skipping meals because the bakery was busy, but that wasn’t going to happen today.
The warm scent of sugar and spices was stronger in the public area of the bakery, and the smell Caroline carried with her tingled in his nose. It was impossible to think of anything else when he was reminded of her.
Skye smiled at a young woman as she handed a bag over the counter.
Caroline pressed a lid onto a hot drink and turned to hand it to a customer at the other end of the bar. “Chai tea.”
She hadn’t noticed him yet, and he took the opportunity to watch her. She moved effortlessly inthe small space, reaching and pouring in graceful motions.
He’d once been at home on a baseball field. He could have plotted the diamond in his sleep. Now, the only place he wanted to be was by Caroline.
The young girl Skye had served joined her friends and they slowly moved toward the exit. There wasn’t a line at the register, and Justin took the chance to talk to Caroline.
“Hey. I finished working in the stock room.”
Caroline was busy wiping counters, but she stopped to look up at him. “Really? That’s great.”
Justin held his hands out at his sides. “What’s next, boss?”
A thud against the window drew their attention. The group of women who’d just ordered from Skye were crushing cupcakes against the outside of the window.
“What are you doing?” Skye shouted as she rounded the counter and headed for the door.
Caroline let out a deep sigh. “Great.”
Justin took a step toward the door, but Caroline grabbed his arm, rooting him to the spot where she held him.
“Don’t. I don’t want to cause a scene,” she said quietly.
“They’re the ones who caused a scene. Caroline, I can catch up to them and do something about that.”
“Please. Just let it go.”
Let it go. How was he supposed to do that when the fire churning inside him begged to be released?
