Page 395 of The Romance Adventure

“I owe you and your family more than my little stunt, trying to take the keys. It’s like the little girl in me, the one who was desperate to have a family, made one last attempt to follow through with her plan. What I want to say is I’m sorry. I apologize for all of it.”

If CJ wonders what that plan is, he doesn’t reveal his curiosity. Because he’s in my same line of work, I have to give him major credit. The guy is an unbreakable vault. A shapeshifter. A chameleon. And yet, every second we’ve ever been together, I know I’ve been getting the real him.

Then he plants his hand on my shoulder. “Jolie, your family was in that room with you. Your found family. We’re on the same team.”

I shake my head. “You don’t know my deepest, darkest secret and maybe that’s what drove me to betray you.”

His ragged exhale is the only thing that indicates he’s afraid he might not like what he hears.

“I come from a long line of betrayers. Back to the very beginning. I’m not a good person.”

CJ smooths a lock of hair behind my ear and then kisses me on the forehead. “People and stories from the past can only dictate who you are if you let them.”

His comment shoves my thoughts aside. For one moment, my mind goes blank as if giving me a chance to decide what truth I’m going to let back in.

Instead of thinking about it, my heart wells up and fills the vacancy. I’ve never been shown this kind of faithful love before. This merciful love.

“Jolie, when this is over, there’s someplace I want us to go.”

This time, I arch an eyebrow in question.

“Chip used to all but have to hose us boys down and drag us to church on Sunday mornings. But we went. And then we went back. And again and again. The Word somehow grew roots in us. For all our faults and flaws, it kept us anchored to what is good, true, and beautiful. I’ve done some bad things. We all have, but it’s up to us what we do next. And as Chip used to say, do the next right thing.”

“What if you don’t know what that is?”

CJ chuckles. “At different times, all of us brothers asked that very question. Chip would say, ‘If you don’t know what the next right thing is, ask God.’”

“What if you can’t hear His voice?” I ask.

He shakes his finger as if he, too asked his grandfather that question. “Chip would say to ask again. He’ll always answer, but the problem is you. If you’re not hearing him, it’s because you might not like what He has to say, so you resist.”

I puff an exhale. Well, that’s a hard truth.

The old me wants to scoff. Why should I even bother? As if CJ would even want to be with me when this is over. When I tell him what’s true. But the changing me, rather likes the idea. However, the me right now knows that I’m going to have to make a difficult decision soon.

CJ takes my hand, unwilling to let me go easily. His gaze captures mine and I know that the only reason things won’t work out between us is because of me. On the surface, he appears to be a laid-back surfer who doesn’t care about anything. I’ve gathered that his brothers didn’t think he could hold down a job, no less a relationship—and even then they’ve suggested that he probably had a wandering eye.

Nope. His are on me. They never waver. He’s all man, dude on the outside, but inside, he’s loving, loyal, good, true, and beautiful.

How did I get so lucky?

As we enter the building, I glance over my shoulder toward the sky. People talk about God being up there. I don’t think anyone can say for sure where He is other than with us, in us, everywhere, always...and I realize all these years, He’s been looking out for me.

He gave me the gift of family I always wanted. Now, it’s up to me whether I keep it.

When we get back to the office, I get a few wary looks. I never understood the expression Hairy Eyeball until now. Royal gives it. Hard.

They talk among themselves in hushed tones.

Clearing my throat, I say, “Guys, I’m sorry.”

They don’t look up.

I repeat, “Everyone, I’m sorry. My connection to the crown is complicated, but I won’t try to take the keys, the crown, or any of it. I won’t interfere, only help. I’m on your side.” My pulse races, but after I say my piece, I feel like I can breathe again.

CJ wraps his arm around my back. The corner of his lip lifts in an appreciative smile.

“I didn’t know there were sides,” Ryan mutters.