her thoughts. “It’s about time you stopped doing that.”
Maybe it was time, or maybe she was just completely out of sorts, because whenever he was near, he made her feel so many things she never had before. He was dangerous for her heart, wasn’t he? She needed to know more about him, about his life, his world.
“Why did you leave so fast tonight?” she asked.
“I’m sorry about that. My grandfather, Mike, is in the hospital.”
The pain in his voice brought an ache to her chest, and she held him a little tighter. “I’m sorry. Is he okay?”
“Hopefully. They’re keeping him overnight.”
He’d dropped everything to go see his grandfather. Maybe that shouldn’t surprise her, but it did. “Are you close to him?”
“Very. He’s a good man. He’s taught me a lot.”
She realized the song had started over, and she was glad it had. She wasn’t ready to stop dancing with him. They fell into comfortable silence, and she found herself hoping the song would repeat a third time. She wanted to ask Justin more questions, but she sensed that maybe he needed this quiet moment, this closeness, as much as she wanted it. It was a strange thought for her to have about the man who took advantage of every chance he got to flirt with her. He probably did the same thing with a lot of other women. She’d seen women ogling him every time they were out with their friends, and just because she’d never seen him bring a date with him or pick up a woman while they were out didn’t mean it didn’t happen.
Although, now that she was really thinking about it, his eyes were always on her when they were out.
Ugh. She was so conflicted. On the one hand, she saw Justin as an impossible flirt without boundaries. But on the other hand, she knew him to be a good, caring, protective friend, a talented artist, and from what she’d seen and heard, an honest, hard worker. She didn’t know what to make of everything she felt right then. But she knew one thing for sure. Dancing barefoot beneath the stars on that warm summer night with the man she’d sworn off felt good and right, and it was the most romantic thing a man had ever done for her.
When the song ended and didn’t restart, her heart sank, but neither of them stopped dancing. Justin held her a little tighter, and she gave in to the urge to be closer. She rested her head on his shoulder, enjoying the type of closeness she’d read about in too many romance novels and had never believed could happen in real life.
But it was happening. Justin didn’t seem to have an ulterior motive for this impromptu completion of their dance, which she found incredibly sexy.
She wasn’t sure how long they’d danced to their own silent beat, but when Justin drew back with a soft and compelling gaze, she instantly mourned the loss of their closeness. Those feelings came with a side of confusion, but she didn’t try to figure it all out. However long they’d danced, however confused she might be, she wanted to step back into his arms and experience it all over again.
“Thank you for the dance, Chloe. Sorry I came by so late.”
“Tha…that’s it? That’s really all you wanted?”
“For tonight, yes. A gentleman always finishes what he starts.” He kissed her cheek and said, “But I’m nowhere near done with you, Chloe Mallery.” He pocketed his phone and sauntered over to his bike, where he grabbed his helmet and said, “Sleep well, hot lips. Now, get your sweet little ass inside so I know you’re safe.”
There’s the Justin I know…
She went inside, grinning like a fool. When he started his bike, she peeked out the sidelight window, watching him put on his helmet and back out of the driveway.
Maybe it is time I get to know the rest of you.
Chapter Six
MOST OF CHLOE’S friends talked about how wonderful it was to return to their childhood homes and visit their parents. They raved about those visits sparking memories of family dinners, heartfelt moments, and more importantly, the feeling of safety. For Chloe and Serena, family dinners had never been a thing. It was usually just the two of them, and meals were pasta with butter that they’d made themselves, cold cereal, or something else equally easy and cheap. Heartfelt moments were few and far between, and a feeling of safety was something Chloe had strived to