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“Someone change the subject!” Rebelle wailed.
Justine talked about mom life and they listened to how amazing Blake was as a father, not that they ever doubted he would be.
“We have news,” Justine teased them.
“You’re not pregnant again already, are you?” Christy’s face paled.
Justine tutted. “No. We’re getting married!”
Taylor frowned. “We know that. You got engaged nearly a year ago.”
“No, like married in a month. We just want to get it done so we’re going to have a small ceremony.”
“But you always wanted a big wedding?”
“I know, and now I want to be with Blake more.” Justine rolled her eyes at the chorus ofawws, but her grin was huge. “We just want to get married here, like you did Christy, and have a small reception at The Bucket. And I want you all to be my bridesmaids?”
The shouts ofYes!once again stirred Harley and as the cheers faded in Rebelle’s ears, she stared at Justine. The woman who had helped her so much, who she had grown close to, now wanted Rebelle to be part of her wedding. Tears filled her eyes again as she looked around at these women.
“I have friends,” she said quietly but the noise soon subsided at her words.
“Of course you do,” Justine said.
“Now, let’s get drunk. We have lots to celebrate!” Christy said. They talked and laughed until alcohol came out of Christy’s nose and Justine stood up laughing.
“I think it’s time to go,” she said dryly and waved off the boos. “Rebelle, walk me out?” She said goodbye to the others and Rebelle followed her, watching as she secured Harley in her car seat.
“I know we’ve worked on some of your issues but I want to be clear. You are worthy of love, whether it’s us, Will or someone else. You’re a strong, wonderfully independent woman with a kind heart and you deserve the world. We can continue our sessions if you like?”
Rebelle nodded. “That would be great. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I don’t think I’d be here without you.” Her throat closed over the words.
“Yes, you would. Now, come here.” Justine pulled her into a hard hug which Rebelle just accepted. She was getting better with affection and remembered when Will first hugged her. Would he be proud of how good she was getting at them?
Justine turned back before getting in the car. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Why did you really say no to Will’s proposal?”
Rebelle shrugged. “I thought he was trying to save me and I didn’t need him to. I didn’t want to be tied to a man again, I don’t want to need someone.”
Justine cocked her head, studying Rebelle. “Everyone needs someone. You need them to push you, to complete you and to elevate you to be the best person that you can be, and you do it for them in return. You’ve had one, horrific, example of a toxic relationship. True relationships are about partnerships and isn’t that what you’ve built with Will?”
Rebelle thought over how she’d grown in the last few months and saw that yes, she’d done it herself, but Will had given her the tools she needed. They had become partners who each had different strengths but worked best together. She had drawn strength from him to grow and develop. And he’d done the same. He’d let loose in a way she knew he couldn’t in his normal life.
She shook her head. “I just don’t know if I can open myself up to being weak again when I’ve worked so hard to be strong.”
“Honey, that’s not weakness. It takes strength and courage to let someone into your life and heart and to trust them, and you have strength in abundance.”
“I do?”
“Yes,mamacita,you do! You have itbecauseof your past experiences.”
“I feel so confused. And a little Bellini-drunk.”
Justine laughed and took Rebelle’s hands in hers. “Okay, close your eyes.”
Rebelle narrowed her stare at Justine before huffing and closing her eyes.
