Page 7 of Nothing Heals Me Like You Do
“There’s a reason Rochelle invited you toherhouse. You should see my place,” Justine confided in Sienna. “I don’t spend a lot of time at home and after a while the messiness just becomes a part of the decor, you know?”
“And you couldn’t be bothered to tidy up for two up-and-coming actors taking Hollywood by storm?” Sienna joked, because she felt as though she could now.
Justine tilted her head. “Alexis Dalton is definitely an up-and-comer, but you?” She sank her front teeth into her bottom lip. “I’d say you’ve very much arrived already.”
Sienna looked into Justine’s eerie blue eyes. “The praise just keeps on coming. And that from a woman who has no time for half-truths.” If Sienna knew one thing, it was what flirting looked like—and she was staring it straight in the face.
“You’re right.” Justine painted on a small smile. “What do I know?” She tilted her head and kept her gaze on Sienna. She seemed to have lost interest in the delicious food in front of them.
“Have you seen anything I’m in?” Sienna braced herself for a hard no.
“No, but I can so easily imagine you as, um, let’s see.” Justine narrowed her eyes. “Any type of smoldering leading lady, really. Surely you’re aware of being drop-dead gorgeous?”
Although an expert at flirting, Sienna was thrown. She didn’t know whether to laugh it off or go along with it. From the vibes she’d gotten from Justine throughout the day, she could only conclude she wasn’t a woman who’d play games. Unless playing games was her preferred relaxation after another challenging day at the homeless shelter.
“A famous movie critic once wrote I won big-time in the genetic lottery, although he might have been referring to my status as a Hollywood nepo-baby rather than my looks.” In the end, Sienna couldn’t resist playing along. She never could. And most definitely not with a formidable woman like Justine Blackburn.
“Nah. I don’t think so.” Justine sipped her beer, all the while keeping her gaze trained on Sienna.
Sienna had focused most of her research on Rochelle’s life, personal as well as professional. She’d need to do a deep dive into whatever there was to find about Justine’s romantic history—or the lack thereof. Her best bet was probably to just ask Rochelle.
“Everything to your liking?” The maitre d’ appeared at their table, carrying two more plates, and breaking the spell of whatever game they were playing.
“It’s all fantastic as usual, Min-ji.” Justine beamed a wide smile at the woman. “I swear the food gets better every time.”
Sienna took the pause in conversation to regroup. She inhaled deeply and piled some more of the mouthwatering food onto her plate.
“This one here…”—Min-ji pointed at Justine—“forgets to eat half the time, so I make sure there’s plenty whenever she comes to my restaurant.” She placed the dishes on the table. “I will not tolerate leftovers so, please, eat more.” She suddenly sounded rather bossy. Min-ji glanced at Sienna and shot her a wink. “Sometimes, Justine needs a firm hand.”
“Good to know.” Sienna had a feeling she’d be coming to this restaurant again. “Thank you for this invaluable insider information.”
“My pleasure.” After another stern nod at the food, Min-ji walked away.
“She’s right,” Justine said. “I barely ate anything today. I got so sucked into things, I just forgot. And today’s been a weird one, what with you and Alexis coming over.” She averted her eyes and reached for more food. “That beer might have gone to my head a little and I’m a terrible flirt when tipsy.” She looked at Sienna from under her lashes, a crooked grin on her lips. “Let me focus on this bibimbap first before I become even more impertinent.”
“For the record, I don’t think you were being impertinent at all.” Sienna spooned a few bites of the divine-smelling bulgogi onto her plate. “And I’m a big fan of flirting, although I admit I wasn’t expecting it tonight.”
Justine shrugged. “I don’t have many vices, but inappropriate flirting with beautiful women is definitely one of them.” She didn’t come across as extremely apologetic—it was stated like just another fact about herself.
“It’s not inappropriate when reciprocated.” Sienna could push the boat out as well.
In response, Justine widened her grin. “And you are very beautiful.”
Between mouthfuls of food, Sienna asked, “Do you tend to flirt just for the sake of it or with a certain outcome in mind?”
Justine gave a hearty chuckle now. “Your directness is absolutely refreshing.” She leaned over the table. “I don’t usually hit on women who are so much younger than me so I’m not used to that, but I like it.”
“Ten out of ten for not answering my question.” Sienna was getting fired up—perhaps even getting a little carried away.
“Gorgeous and feisty. Fuck. I think I might be in big trouble.”
“And still you persist with your non-answer.”
“I’m nothing if not persistent.” Justine took a sip of water instead of beer. “But fair enough.” She tipped her head to the right. “While I do like a good flirt, that doesn’t mean I’m very skilled at it and half the time, even if I have, um, a certain outcome in mind, my advances get rebuffed. Turns out that practice doesn’t always make perfect.”
“Persistent and brutally honest. Wow.” Sienna was impressed with Justine’s candor.
“That thing about not having time for half-truths also pertains to myself.”
