He presses his forehead to mine. “Me too. You had me worried for a minute.”
“But not as much as the others?”
“Sometimes people need space. I understand that.” He glances at the water. “Some people ride the emotional edge a little closer.”
“In some ways you guys are so similar,” I say to him, feeling his hand on my back, “But at the same time so incredibly unique.”
“So you’re here to stay?” His black hair blows in the wind.
“For a while, at least. I want to finish out the season here. Repair any damage I may have caused so far.”
There’s little doubt I’m talking about Justin, and Pete nods in understanding.
Out in the ocean, Justin catches a wave and floats across the water as if it’s nothing. Pete nods at him. “I love him like a brother, but in the end he’s like any other guy. He’ll push you away if you give him a chance.”
“I apologized. And I think he accepted it, but there’s still something lingering that he can’t get past.”
Ivy comes in next and the two of them splash in the water. They act like two kids. Justin only stops to dunk her under water before dragging her out again.
“They dated, you know.”
Anita hinted to as much. “Really?”
“Back before she and Maggie hooked up. It was hard on him and Maggie. They were jealous of each other.”
“I can imagine.”
“They grew up together and shared so many experiences. Maggie didn’t think she could compete with a history like that and Justin wasn’t completely ready to let her go.”
Justin stands up in waist-deep and shakes the water out of his hair. He looks like a merman. “He shouldn’t have to let her go. Not completely.”
“That’s what Ivy said. Her relationship with Justin was before she figured out what she really wanted. It took them a long time to be friends, but that’s more about Justin’s trust issues than anything else.”
“How did he take it, when he found out she…” I searched for the words.
“Didn’t like dick?” Pete offers.
I laugh and shake my head. “Yeah, I guess that works.”
“At first he was hurt, but I think in the end he accepted he would rather have her in his life than lose her out of some false sense of pride.”
I lean over the railing. “I’m glad they worked it out. I’m just not sure if what happened to them applies to our situation. Ivy can’t help who she is. I’m not sure Justin is willing to look past some of my choices. There’s a difference.”
“Maybe,” he says, pulling me against his chest. The pair has finally gotten out of the water and started up toward the house. Whit and Nick stay out in the water. “But if he’s this scared, you can bet you mean a lot more to him than he’s willing to let on.”
Justin follows the two women down the boardwalk with a towel wrapped around his waist. We’ve steered clear of one another all afternoon, but now he comes over and Pete whispers in my ear, “Give him time,” and walks off with the girls. When Justin gets within touching distance, I avert my eyes from his broad shoulders and chest. I also do my best to keep my eyes away from all his hot parts. Like the area between his belly button and his towel, or his biceps. Or really anywhere at all. Why did he have to be so good-looking?
“Sure you don’t want to try?” he offers, holding up his board.
I shake my head. “Nope.”
“Maybe next time,” he says, passing by me so close that his hip brushes against mine.
I raise an eyebrow. Next time.
Justin Hawkins may not be done with me after all.
* * *