“Ah, the meals of champions. I love a good PBJ.”
She groaned.
“Lighten up, honey. Xavier’s a thinker. He needs to go through all the reasons why he can’t handle a long-term girlfriend, see that he’s being ridiculous and fear-based, then declare his undying love for you.”
“He never even said it,” she mumbled. “I did. Put myself out there only for him to say he ‘felt the same way.’ What the heck is that?” She liked the anger stealing through her numbness.
“That’s a young man who can’t get over past trauma,” Aunt Rosie said with authority. “Now stop wallowing and enjoy life. Just think, in another month, Kai and I will be back with a bunch of stories. And maybe even a step-uncle in your future!”
“Really?”
“Well, maybe. He hasn’t shown me his estate yet, so we’ll see.”
“Estate?”
“He’s a count. Honey, I don’t settle for just anyone. And you shouldn’t either. Your life will work itself out. If Xavier can’t see how wonderful you are, then he’s not the man I think he is. And that’s one from Aunt Truth. You can take that to the bank.”
Justine disconnected and wound her way down to the fountain in the courtyard. She sat glumly, staring up at the clear night sky while the fountain bubbled and the flowers scented the air.
“Hey, whatcha doing?” Sam came to sit next to her looking tanned and happy.
“Welcome back, Sam.” She gave him a hug, amused that he clung to her like a limpet she had to pry away. “We missed you.”
“Aw. I missed you too.” He grinned, adorable with his bright Hawaiian shirt and a plastic lei. He took the necklace off and put it over her head. “For you.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“Yeah, it is. So when are we going out?”
She laughed and shocked herself by starting to cry.
Sam’s eyes grew wide. “Oh my gosh. Are you okay?” He paused. “Is it…that time of the month?”
“What? No.” She hiccupped on a laugh. “And don’t ask women that.”
“Sorry. I won’t. My bad.”
The goofball made her feel better. “Sorry for breaking down. It’s been a rough couple of days.”
He sat closer. “What happened?”
“I quit my job for my fathead boss. Aunt Rosie’s coming back so I need to find a new place to live.” Because she loved her aunt, but that apartment waswaytoo small for her aunt’s personality and anyone else. “And Xavier and I are…taking a break.”
“Oh.” He paused and his face lit up. “Oh.”
“Sam. I’m too old for you to date. But not too old to be a friend.” She held out a hand.
He sighed and shook it. “Rylan said the lei wouldn’t work, but I tried.”
“Tell me about your trip.”
He expounded on the virtues of scuba diving with a trained guide, told her about swimming with his uncle and messing up Adam’s chances with a lifeguard, and showed her a handful of shells he’d bought at a gift store.
They talked for quite a while, the young boy and nearly thirty-year-old woman with little in common, and laughed and enjoyed themselves before Sam had to turn in.
Justine stared at the night sky, not so sad anymore, and hoped that Xavier soon came to his senses. Or she might just be tempted to wait until Sam turned twenty-five and take him out for real.
CHAPTER 39
