bJayne /bbstared /bin disbeliefb, /bher lips trembling. “Ju…Justin?”

bJustin /bnodded, shing a warm smile. b“/bIt’s been a long time, Mrs. Sumner. How have you been?”

Could “a long time” even begin to describe bit/b?

Jayne racked her memory. Thest time she’d seen him must have been nearly twenty years ago. He’d only been seven.

Even back then, there was something uncanny about the boy–his young face still round with childhood, yet his eyes far too knowing. He’d shown up at their family dinner in a perfectly pressed suit, solemn and silent,pletely uninterested in the food or drink in front of him.

The only thing he seemed to care about was Edith, watching her intently from

across the table.

Despite several adults sitting between them, he’d leaned forward and asked, in an oddly formal tone, “What’s your name? How old are you?”

He sounded so much like a tiny census taker that everyone around the table burst outughing.

Edith, sweet as ever, had blinked her big round eyes and replied, “My name’s Edith, and I’m six years old!” To prove her point, she’d held out her little hand, showing five chubby fingers.

Justin, with his neatly slicked–back hair, frowned. “That’s five, not six, silly.”

Jayne could still remember how offended Edith had been at being called silly. She’d mumbled for ages, “Edith’s not silly, Edith’s just counting a little slow!” She didn’t cry though–just buried her face in Jayne’s arms, sniffling quietly.

In the blink of an eye, twenty years had flown by. The little girl who once soughtfort in her arms was now a graceful young woman.

Remembering all this, Jayne couldn’t help but smile.

The funniest part? After that dinner, little Justin, looking deadly serious with his grown–up hair and suit, had marched up to Father Benedict and dered, “Father, when I grow up, I’m going to marry Edith. No one else will do.”

Everyone hadughed it off as childish nonsense.

b1/2 /b

15:09

bWho /bcould bhave /bguessed bthat /bhe’d bmeant /bevery bword/bb? /b

Jayne squeezed Justin’s hand, her face beaming. “Son–inw, it’s bso /bgood to see byou/bb–/bso good, so good…b” /b

bEdith /bnudged her mother’s armb, /bwhispering, “Mom, I’m not married bto /bMr. Hawksley

yet.*

Jayne, usually so reserved, was positively overflowing with enthusiasm today. b*/bJustin, what a coincidence! Are you here shopping too?”

A subtle, almost secretive smile yed at the corners of Justin’s mouth. Even while talking to Jayne, his gaze kept drifting back to Edith.

“It is quite the coincidence. I’m just here to discuss a partnership.”

Edith looped her arm through Jayne’s, feeling the weight of Justin’s gaze on her. She nced around but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Weird.

Jayne started reminiscing with Justin about the old days. “When you were seven, Mr. Sumner and I both said you’d be running the Hawksley family business one day. But honestly, we never imagined you’d take it to such heights!”

Justin lowered his head with a modest smile. “I only followed the foundation my father and uncles built. I just did my part.”

Jayne patted Justin’s hand, reluctant to let go. “You’re being far too modest. You’ve always had a gift–even now, you have the same presence you had as a child.”

Edith eyed their joined hands, cleared her throat, and leaned in to whisper, “Mom, maybe you shouldn’t hold on to him like that?”

Jayne snapped back to herself, realizing she’d gone a little overboard. She let go quickly, chuckling awkwardly. “Sorry, Justin. I’m just so happy to see you again–l got carried away. I hope you don’t mind.”

Justin gave her a rxed smile. “Not at all. I’m happy to see you too.”

Just then, a sales associate appeared with the manager, drawing the little reunion to a close.

Justin nced at the manager, then pointed to a few unremarkable pieces of jewelry. “Take these, and these out–we won’t be needing them. The rest, please

have them delivered to this address.”

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