on this?” She reached up and stroked the back of his neck the way she knew he liked and said, “Just know I’m yours, and if you feel the need to stake claim in front of other guys, then hold my hand or kiss my cheek. Don’t make a scene and embarrass me.”
His eyes narrowed, and he said, “And if the guy keeps looking?”
“Then take it as a compliment and know you’re the only man I’d go home with.”
She went up on her toes and kissed him. He held her tighter as cheers, applause, and whistles rang out around them. Chloe turned to see what all the commotion was about, and her cheeks flamed. The Dark Knights were standing up, applauding them.
There was only one thing to do.
She turned back to Justin and said, “I hereby condone two minutes of Neanderthal behavior. Please kiss me until I forget how embarrassed I am.”
“Damn, baby. You are one hell of a woman.”
“And I’m all yours.”
When his lips met hers, more cheers rang out. Justin took the kiss deeper, burying his hand in her hair and turning all the embarrassing nonsense to white noise.
LUNCH WAS DELICIOUS, and Justin introduced Chloe to everyone, including Brandon Owens, the guitar player. It turned out that Harper knew him, too. Brandon was the graphic designer who had created the logo for Harper and Tegan’s production company. Chloe knew she’d never keep the names of all the people she’d met straight, but she’d loved meeting them, and they clearly thought the world of Justin.
They were heading back to the table after talking with Jesse and Brent Steele and their cousin Levi, when a chipper little honey-haired girl yelled, “Maverick!” She ran between Tank and Baz and threw her arms around Justin’s waist, beaming up at him.
“Hey there, princess.” Justin lifted her into his arms, and she hugged him around the neck.
Holy moly. Chloe’s heart did a double take. Big and bad, with that sweet little girl in his arms, Justin became ten times hotter.
Justin said, “How’s my favorite girl?”
“Good,” the girl said, basking in his attention. “Did you make my sculpture yet?”
“Peanut, what did I tell you about that?” Levi asked.
“You said not to bug him. But, Daddy, I’m not bugging him. I’m just asking.”
Justin chuckled and said, “I’m working on it, and you know I won’t let you down.” He smiled at Chloe and said, “I have someone special I want you to meet. This is my other favorite girl, Chloe. Chloe, this is Levi’s daughter, Josephine.”
“Maverick!” The little girl rolled her eyes, and it was about the cutest thing Chloe had ever seen. “I’m Joey. Are you Maverick’s girlfriend?”
“Yes,” Chloe said, enjoying the grin on Justin’s face.
Joey hooked an arm tightly around Justin’s neck and said, “Well, I’m going to marry him when I’m older, so don’t get your hopes up.”
“Josephine Steele, that’s not nice.” Levi chuckled and said, “Sorry, Chloe.”
“It’s okay. Your daughter has good taste.” Chloe took out her phone and said, “Would you mind if I took a picture of you and Maverick? I’ll be sure to print it out and mail you a copy.” It was strange using Justin’s road name, but in this part of Justin’s world, it was probably strange for everyone to hear him called by his given name.
“Nope! Go ahead.” Joey rested her head against Justin’s. He lifted her hand from his other shoulder and held it as Chloe took the picture.
“Can you text me a copy?” Levi asked.
He gave Chloe his number, and she texted the picture. “I have a photo printer at home. I’ll send you a hard copy, too.”
“And one for me,” Joey reminded her.
“Absolutely. One for each of you.”
They visited for a long time with Levi and Joey, and then Levi had to leave to take Joey to a birthday party, but not before Joey said goodbye to all of her Dark Knight uncles, which was every member of the Dark Knights, giving Chloe a chance to take more cute pictures. Joey gave Chloe a big hug, too, but not nearly as big as the one she gave Justin, who informed her that Joey had whispered to him, “Don’t forget we’re getting married.”
A little while later, Justin took Chloe, Harper, and Gavin for a stroll down the boardwalk before meeting up with everyone again and getting ready to leave. There was a loud round of goodbyes with manly embraces and many promises from Chloe to come back again sometime with Justin.