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in Justice's gut at those words. "And how do you know that?"
    "Like you, I just have a feeling. Besides, I asked around about you."
    Justice cocked his head to the side. "Really? Who did you ask?"
    "Don't worry, I was very discreet about it. I mostly talked to Paula Chase."
    "Oh, no," Justice groaned. "I can only imagine all the embarrassing stories she told you."
    Best friends since junior high, Paula had seen Justice at his best and worst. He had no doubt she shared all of the stories from both categories.
    A waiter came and took their order. Ashton waited until he left before answering. "She said that you were sweet, generous and too forgiving for your own good."
    "Don't let her fool you. She's only saying all that stuff to get on my good side. She borrowed my car last week and put a dent in it and she's afraid that I'm still mad at her."
    "Are you? Mad at her that is?"
    The waiter came and delivered breadsticks and salads, amazing Justice with the speed of service. Must be one of the benefits of being the nephew of the owner. Justice took a couple of bites, being careful of his cut lip, before answering, "No, she didn't mean it and I know how bad she feels about the whole thing."
    "So is your car at least drivable?"
    "Yes and no. It's not severely damaged, but my dad took if away from me for not taking better care of it."
    As soon as that admission slipped out, Justice winced. The bruises already labeled him a victim and he didn't want to add to it, by sharing any more facts about his father's abuse. Justice cleared his throat before abruptly changing the subject, "This bread is awesome."
    Ashton studied him for a few moments before replying, "Thanks, it's the same recipe they've been using for years."
    "So are you going to go into the family business after you graduate?" Justice's face burned as he realized how that question could be taken in the wrong way. "What I meant is, are you going to work in the restaurant, not the other thing."
    "Don't worry. I have no aspirations of following in my father's criminal footsteps," Ashton replied, his voice strained.
    Justice shocked himself by reaching across to hold Ashton's hand. "I know. I'm sorry my question came out so wrong. Whenever I get around someone I get a bit clumsy at times."
    Ashton curled their fingers together, his touch warm and soft. Tingles of pleasure danced up Justice's arm as he found his gaze transfixed on the man's full lips. He wondered what it would be like if they kissed. Not a light, barely there number like in the library, but a real knock you on your ass lip lock.
    "So what are you majoring in?" Justice asked, desperate to get his mind off his libido.
    "Pre-med. How about you?"
    "Law."
    "Ah, I should have guessed. Just like your father. He probably had that all planned out since the day you were born and he named you Justice."
    Guilt swamped Justice. As always whenever the topic of majors came up, he felt bad because truth be told, his heart really wasn't in law. He just forced himself to go through the motions to please his father.
    "Tell me, Justice, if you had your choice what would you really want to major in?"
    Shocked by how quickly Ashton saw through him, Justice let out a small gasp. "I've always wanted to get into social work."
    Ashton gave a tiny smile as he rubbed the pad of his thumb over Justice's knuckles. "Somehow that doesn't surprise me. That line of work suits you much better."
    Justice gave a sad sigh. "It really doesn't matter, since that option isn't open to me."
    "It could be if you wanted."
    A spark of anger went through Justice. "My father doesn't like it when I argue with him. I'm sure yours is the same way."
    Ashton cocked a brow. "Why? Because he's a criminal?"
    "Kind of," Justice admitted before amending. "With running an operation as big as his, I'm sure he doesn't like to have to give an order more than once."
    "He may be that way with the people who work under him, but never with me. He's always encouraged me to make my