Page 48 of How to Date a Younger Man
As promised, I arrive twenty minutes early to help set up the drink table and make sure Kristen doesn’t have a panic attack before the other guests arrive. After parking in one of the few spots close to the house, I walk up to the front door, and to my surprise, it swings open before I can even knock.
Standing in front of me is a familiar turquoise-eyed tall drink of water in dark jeans and a gray sweater with a blue collared shirt underneath. He steps out and closes the door behind him, sweeping me up in his arms before I can say anything, and plants an urgent kiss on my mouth.
My first instinct is to panic, to resist—what if someone sees us?!—but Griffin’s kiss drowns out all rational thought for a moment. I give in, looping my arms around his neck and softening into the kiss. But all at once, I regain my senses, pulling away and taking a few steps back, wildly looking around us to make sure no one saw what just happened.
What the hell did just happen?
“You look incredible,” he says, a stupid smile on his face as he looks me over from head to toe.
“Stop that. You need to get it together. We’re in public.” My tone is terse, but on the inside, I’m melting.
I’d be lying if I said this new dress wasn’t for him, and the fact that he appreciates it makes the extra half hour of primping and pruning worth it. Plus, that sweater is doing his chest all kinds of favors—not that he needs any help. I know that from firsthand experience now.
“Everyone’s out back. Don’t worry.” He shrugs, that stupid smile still glued to his face, sending electric pulses straight through me.
“Look, we have to be careful. Obviously, whatever’s going on right now is still very new and fragile, and I don’t think I’m ready for anyone to know about it yet.” I have to avoid his eyes as I speak, not only because we haven’t talked about this yet, but also because the longer we make eye contact, the less I care about anything other than letting him take me right here and now.
“You should have thought about that before showing up here looking like a fucking smoke show, babe.”
Heat rises from my core, spreading over my chest and cheeks. It’s all I can do to roll my eyes, doing my best to tamp down the arousal I so obviously and clearly feel in his presence. Taking a deep breath, I meet his eyes, my heartbeat going into immediate overdrive.
“Behave,” I murmur, opening the door behind him and walking inside, my skin practically lighting on fire where our arms brush.
We walk through the entryway into the living room, where Griffin’s parents’ massive backyard is perfectly showcased by white French doors, left open to let the afternoon breeze move through the house. I knew Kristen’s party would be impeccably decorated, but this is even more beautiful than what I envisioned.
White ceramic pitchers holding fresh flowers of all kinds are scattered throughout the house, and on the tall cocktail tables draped in white lace tablecloths in the backyard. Little touches of Kristen are everywhere—from the antiqued gold cutlery to the burlap runners. It makes my heart happy to see that she’s truly able to give herself the engagement party of her dreams.
“You must be Layne!” a woman’s voice calls to us from the other side of the yard.
I turn to find what looks like an older version of Kristen smiling by the drink table and waving me over. She’s about Kristen’s height and with her same auburn curls, only hers are cut short, framing her angular face, and her eyes are a warm, doe-eyed brown.
“And you must be Donna,” I say, extending a hand when I reach the table. “It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
But when I turn to nod to Griffin, who I assumed was right behind me, he’s nowhere to be found. Apparently, the whole my new secret hookup meeting my mom thing isn’t something he’s ready to deal with quite yet. Fine by me.
“The kids didn’t warn you? I’m a hugger.” Donna pulls me in for a warm, slightly awkward embrace.
I hug her back with half the strength she’s holding me, forcing a normal-looking smile onto my face when she lets me go. “Your house is beautiful, and the decorations are absolutely stunning. It was so kind of you to open up your home like this.”
“It’s not like Krissy could have had a party this size in that apartment of hers. Could you imagine? We’d all be packed in there like sardines.”
“Well, I know she appreciates it. Speaking of, where is the blushing bride-to-be?”
“In my bathroom, still getting ready. You know how she is. Actually, why don’t you go check on her? Down the hallway and to the left.”
