If Brittany was anything like Justine, she likely knew each kid at that table. Burke caught the excited chatter as they neared.
“I got totally drenched at last year’s creek run,” one said.
“That’s why bringing change of clothes is so crucial,” another chimed.
“Or the bonfire,” another added.
Brittany, thinking he was leading her to that table, began to slow.
“Oh, not this one,” Burke said under his breath. “Thatone.”
At once, Justine spun to look over her shoulder. Those reckless locks danced softly in the breeze, grazing her rosy cheeks as she smiled at him. He watched her expression shift as she caught sight of his company, her eyes hardening along with her jaw.
“You’re not here withher, are you?” Brittany asked under her breath.
Burke kept his eyes trained on Justine as they reached the table at last. He broke away from Brittany’s side and hurried over to take Justine’s hand. “As a matter of fact,” he said. “I am.”
Justine came to a stand, and Burke wrapped an arm around her waist. “This might be unnecessary, seems most the people in town know one another, but in case you’re not acquainted…Justine, this is my new friend, Brittany. Brittany, meet Justine, my beautiful fiancée.”
Chapter 16
Satisfaction. There was a song she’d heard many times in her life that complained about how hard it was to attain. But as Justine looked into the fierce green eyes of Brittany Clementine, her satisfaction went bone deep and mile high.
Brittany’s eyes narrowed into slits. “You’rethe fiancé she was talking about?” Her pink lips curled over her teeth as she folded her arms hard over her chest.
“The one and only,” Justine assured.
“Aw, that’s sweet.” Burke nuzzled into her neck “You were talking about me, babe?”
“I was trying to be discreet, but when you live in a small town…” Justine said, trying very hard to not be affected by his tickling touch at her neck.
Burke chuckled darkly.
“Well, if you’reactuallyengaged, then why don’t I see a ring?” Brittany challenged.
“Oh, she’ll have a ring, all right. Any ring she chooses.” Burke lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “I’m not the traditional type. I think that if a woman’s going to wear a ring on her finger for the rest of her life, she should pick the exact ring she’s always dreamed of, down to the cut, karat, and size.”
Brittany’s mouth hung open. She blinked once. Twice.
“Nice to meet you, Britt,” Burke said, pulling Justine back to the table. Justine took a seat beside him, replaying the event in her mind.
Burke plopped a napkin in front of her, then one in front of himself.
Justine stared at the action, barely focusing as he slapped a thick piece of fresh baked bread on each.
“She’s gone,” he muttered.
“Are you sure?”
Burke pried the lid off the small tub of butter and sank the plastic knife inside. “I’m sure.”
“I can’t believe I almost passed this up.”
“What’s that?” He was smearing butter on her bread now. And then his. “What jam would you like?”
“I can’t believe I almost passed up the chance to experience one of the best. Things. Ever.”
“You liked that, did you?”
