Still, when Edith asked, he couldn’t very well admit he was deliberately making things difficult. He simply shook his head. “No, it makes little difference who we partner with.”
A flicker of hope sparked in Edith’s eyes, making them shine.
To Justin, that brightness was almost too much–uncomfortably dazzling. He wondered why Edith was so intent on helping the Vance family.
But Edith’s mind was elsewhere, filled with thoughts of her beloved oil paintings. She completely missed the trace of disappointment on Justin’s face and blurted out, “So, is there still a chance the Hawksley family could work with Pioneer Prime again?”
Justin’s expression clouded over, his features darkening. After a pause, he lifted his obsidian eyes to hers. “If you want it, the Hawksleys will
work with Pioneer Prime.”
Edith stared at him, momentarily stunned.
She hadn’t expected him to agree so easily.
She hadn’t dared hope for this outcome, and now–just like that–she could get her paintings back!
Once she got her things out of the Vance family’s hands, she’d have nothing more to do with them–finally free.
The thought made her so excited she nearly leapt from her seat in
celebration.
Justin watched her, a hint of indulgence shining through his lingering discomfort. How could anyone be this happy?
When she grinned, she looked almost childlike–those dimples just barely visible on her cheeks. Irresistibly cute.
Caught up in her excitement, Edith reached out and grabbed Justin’s
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hand. “Really? That’s wonderful!”
Her fingers were soft, and even though she held his hand tightly, there was nothing uncomfortable about it.
Justin couldn’t help but ask, “Are you really that happy?”
A trace of sadness flickered in his eyes.
After all the awful things the Vances had done–after Beckett Vance’s repeated harassment, even dragging Jayne into it–why was Edith still running around for the Vance family?
He just didn’t get it. The ache in his chest only worsened.
But Edith was too busy plotting how to retrieve her precious paintings
from the Vances to notice Justin’s mood.
Just then, Beckett called.
Justin glanced at the glowing screen, narrowing his eyes.
Seeing the caller, Edith excused herself and stepped out of the hospital
room to answer.
Beckett’s number had been blocked until recently.
Because of all this, Edith had reluctantly taken him off her blocked list.
But as soon as she got her things back, that number could go back on the blacklist for good.
The thought made her hum a cheerful little tune as she opened the hospital room door.
The happier Edith became, the heavier Justin’s heart grew.
He worried–had Beckett already told her everything?
His mind was a tangle of confusion.
About two minutes later, Edith returned to the room, still smiling slightly. “Justin, I need to go to the Vance house to pick up a few things. I’ll head
out now.”
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Justin couldn’t bring himself to look at her. He just nodded. “Alright.”
As Edith turned to leave, he suddenly looked up and called her name.
“Edith!”
She glanced back, her eyes questioning.
He hesitated for a long moment before letting the words slip out. “I like it when you call me Justin.”
For a heartbeat, the air between them grew charged, almost intimate.
A blush crept onto Edith’s cheeks–just as her mother had said it would.
Her gaze darted away. She mumbled, “Good, as long as you like it,“
Her gaze darted away. She mumbled, “Good, as long as you like it,” then fled in a hurry, worried someone might notice just how flustered she was.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.