Page 39 of Playing for Keeps
Caroline tilted her head toward the empty seat across the table. “Please go sit. Having you this close makes me nervous.”
Justin slowly reclaimed his seat as she’d asked, and she settled into hers too.
“If we’re going to move past what happened, we have to talk about it. You know, I don’t need closure. I need to understand. So you didn’t ask me to comewith you because you didn’t want me to leave my family?”
“One hundred percent. I think I said that back then, but you were still reeling over Dom’s sentencing.”
She pushed a hand through her hair. Had she been so emotionally wrung-out that she hadn’t even listened? “Maybe you’re right.”
“How were things after we stopped talking?” he asked.
Thinking back on that time wasn’t something Caroline did often. She’d been close to Dom, and he’d always treated her like the baby of the family she was. Coming to grips with the fact he’d intentionally killed someone had broken her heart and shattered her trust in one quick swoop.
“It was rough. Mom still hasn’t healed from it. We don’t talk about it, but we visit him whenever we can. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to understand it, but he pled guilty.” She shrugged her shoulders. “What else is there to know?”
Alicia made her way over to the table with the main course, then slipped a fresh tissue into Caroline’s hand before quickly disappearing again.
Justin glanced at the food before looking back up at Caroline. “How did I do?”
A lump swelled up in her throat as she stared at the peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the plate.Potato chips hugged the side of the sandwich cut into triangles. “It’s perfect.”
She bit off a corner. Instantly, she was transported back to times playing in the barn while Dad worked on whatever ranch equipment had broken down. She’d eaten many peanut butter and jelly sandwiches perched atop his toolbox.
It all hit her at once. “Justin, there’s something we need to straighten out. I was so happy during our time together, but you’re not the maker of my happiness. It had been there all along in the quiet, beautiful life the Lord has given me. Maybe that’s why it hurt so much when you left. I always wanted to share this with you.”
She felt her smile wobble as Justin reflected back with an expression of contentment that can only be gained from a hope in the same Spirit. They fell into a comfortable silence as they ate chips and sandwiches. The buzzing nervousness had dissipated between them, leaving only peace.
A few minutes later, Alicia returned with two cupcakes. After putting the chocolate one in front of Justin and the vanilla one in front of Caroline, she disappeared again.
“Don’t worry. It’s from The Cakery. Skye snuck them out for me.”
Caroline snorted a laugh. “Good. I don’t think I could handle it if you cheated on me with Donut Haven again.”
Justin hung his head. “Please forgive me. I was terrified to face you.”
Rolling her eyes, she reached across the table to lift his chin. When his gaze met hers, her heart softened.
“You’re forgiven.”
A deep breath rose and lowered his whole frame. “You don’t know how good it is to hear you say that.”
It was her turn to take a deep breath. The tugging had begun a long time ago, but the urge to leap was finally here. “I forgive you for everything. I’ve been so hurt that I couldn’t see your side of it. You knew how hard it would be to leave my family.”
“Still, looking back, I can see that I should have given you the choice. Then, you wouldn’t have doubted how I feel about you.”
Oh no. He saidfeel. Not felt.
Justin rose and extended a hand to her as “I Cross My Heart” by George Strait began to play. “May I have this dance?”
She wanted this just as much as he did, and denying him wasn’t good for anyone. Taking his hand, she got to her feet beside him. “Sure.”
He led her to the open area that served as the dance floor and gently pulled her to him with a hand on her lower back. “I had no idea this was even possible, but you’re more beautiful now than you were back then.”
A chuckle bubbled out of her as she lowered her head. “That’s sweet of you.”
“I’m serious. You’re beautiful and sweet, and it’s incredibly intimidating.”
She looked up to find him mere inches away. A swarm of butterflies bubbled in her middle. “Says the heartbreaker.”
