He hadn’t intentionally hurt Ashley, either. But he had hurt her when he’d called off their wedding. She’d been floored that he’d chosen the boys over her.
He should have told Riley about his own past engagement earlier, when she’d mentioned hers. Something had held him back, though, telling him to wait until the time was right to mention that he’d come close to walking down the aisle, too, only to realize he was making a mistake.
He’d tell her about Ashley, but not now—not when Riley was just beginning to acknowledge what was happening between them.
Then again, she’d made it clear nothing long-term would be happening between them, so what did it matter if he told her about Ashley?
* * *
Riley admitted that Justin had been as good as his word. Not once had he made any attempt to go inside the house or tried to convince her to invite him in.
S
he’d let Daisy out into the backyard with them and the dog was now sleeping in her lap. She and Justin sat on the bench beneath the eucalyptus, talking, laughing, and she had to admit it was easy to forget to be nervous that they were alone when everything about the moment felt magical.
Or maybe that was just her fairy lights, casting a glowing spell.
She’d always found her backyard soothing. Tonight, next to Justin, with the night sky clear except for the dotting of twinkling stars, and the eucalyptus-laden breeze caressing her senses, she thought her backyard was the most romantic place on earth.
“Thank you for today, Justin.”
He grinned. “Thank you.”
“I’m serious. Today, and yesterday, too, were wonderful. It’s been a really fantastic weekend. The best I can recall in a long time.”
“And we still managed to get your yard work accomplished.” He took her hand into his. “You should hang out with me more often.”
In the glow of the fairy lights she stared at their entwined hands. How could something so simple cause millions of nerve cells to come to life? Cause her to want more of him touching her?
“Thanks for helping me with the yard.”
Seeming oblivious to what his handholding was doing inside her, he said, “You have a great place.”
“I think so.”
Okay, this was crazy.
She gave a nervous laugh. “I’m making small talk.”
“Why? We’ve been talking just fine.”
Further torturing her, he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss there.
“I’m going to take this as my cue to leave and go,” he said.
Her gaze hung on his.
Tell him to stay. Tell him not to go, to kiss you. All over.
She swallowed. “I think I’m ready for you to go home now.”
He studied her a moment, then nodded. “Goodnight, Riley. I’ll see you at the hospital tomorrow.”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, then let himself out the back gate.
Riley sat outside on the bench for a long time after Justin left and wondered exactly why she’d let him leave when they’d both wanted him to stay.
Wherein lay her answer.