“I love you, too.”
He looked surprised. “You do?”
“It shocked me, too,” she admitted with a grin. “That day I quit, I saw you in the office…I felt like I’d been hit by lightning.”
One corner of his mouth tugged up, quickly followed by the other.
“But that was the morning after Nate told me about your grandfather,” she explained. “I thought I could pretend I didn’t know anything, but it felt like a lie. I was afraid you’d want Nate prosecuted, so I said the first thing that came to mind.”
“‘I quit.’”
“I’d intended to say good morning.”
“I would’ve preferred good morning.”
She gave a half-laugh. “I thought if I didn’t see you every day the feelings would go away.”
“I’m glad they didn’t.” He captured her lips with his again. She pulled back this time and glanced toward the house.
“About Nate—no, let me finish. I know you have to do what you feel is right.”
He shook his head. “Something Dad said that night got me thinking.”
Marley frowned. “I don’t remember him saying anything about Karl.”
“I’ve listened to the tape a few times. There’s this part, where he mentions Granddad’s name. He started to say something like ‘it should’ve ended when I’, caught himself, and changed his words.”
“You don’t think…?”
Justin shrugged. “I don’t know. I don’t want to know, really. Let’s just say I believe Nate’s telling the truth about Granddad being alive when he left. I don’t see how an investigation will make any difference. We’ve all been through enough, and it’s not over yet.”
Marley held her relief at bay and asked, “You’re sure?”
He nodded and pulled her close.
“What about Jordan?”
“You mean the interfering dumbass?”
She raised her brows. “I’m serious. Have you talked to him about it?”
“He’s heard the tape. He’s not ready to welcome Nate with open arms, but he doesn’t want more scandal, either.”
“How’s he doing?” she asked with concern.
“It’s hard for him, but I hope it’ll get better after the trial.”
Justin tightened his hold, and she leaned her cheek on his shoulder. She gave in to the temptation to press a kiss against his warm neck. When his hand rose to tilt her chin to his lips, it didn’t take long before their enthusiam threatened to flare out of control.
Reluctantly, she whispered, “Nate’s inside on the couch.”
“Hmm, okay.” He removed his hands from inside her robe and placed them on her shoulders. “So…if we can’t have any fun, there are other things we should talk about.”
“Yeah?”
“Well, you know I had a job before all this,” he began.
“Had?”