Page 23 of Broken Trust
Then Bryce continues, “And his assistant and physical therapist, Jovie Asbury.”
My brain completely short-circuits as she walks through the gate with a confident stride.
Bright smile.
Long blonde hair, pulled into a wavy ponytail.
Tan tank top.
Formfitting jeans.
Dark brown boots.
Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
For a second, I don’t recognize her. Little Jojo Asbury.
The girl who used to run around Wildhaven with scraped knees and pigtails.
The little girl who Cabe followed everywhere.
The little girl who I taught to ride that stubborn paint pony.
Except she isn’t a little girl anymore. Not even close.
My mouth goes dry as I take in the woman standing before me.
Geezus.
When did that happen?
When did she turn into …
Into that?
I instantly hate myself for the thought because she’s Cabe’s girl.
Still, I can’t stop staring.
She’s smiling at the students as she and Dr. Stoke talk with them.
Completely unaware that my entire nervous system just malfunctioned.
Royce elbows me.
“Ow. What the hell?”
His eyes narrow. “You okay?”
“I’m fine. Why?”
“Because you look like you’ve seen a ghost or something.”
Or something.
“Just noticing that little Jovie has grown up. Fuck, we’re getting old, brother.”
He chuckles. “We are.”
