Page 28 of Griffin

“Might have feelings? Really? You growled at someone for even looking at him,” Noah pointed out.

I rolled my eyes, trying to shrug off the intensity of what he was saying. But he wasn’t wrong.

"Yeah, okay. More than might,alright? It’s weird, though. I barely know him, and yet…”

The words trailed off, but Noah seemed to get it.

He nodded slowly, his usual playfulness replaced by genuine interest.

“So, you gonna do anything about it? Or just stand around here all broody?” Noah asked.

“Maybe,” I said with a sigh. “I don’t know where to even start. You got any advice?”

Noah let out a short laugh.

“Advice? From me? I’ve never had a serious relationship in my life. Now Sawyer, on the other hand…but too bad he’s off playing lovebirds with Casey,” Noah said.

My shoulders slumped. It was true.

As much as I liked to keep things to myself, I knew Sawyer would’ve had some kind of guidance, especially now that he was happily mated to Casey.

But he wasn’t here, and that left me floundering.

Just then, Michael appeared at the bar, ticket in hand for another order. He looked between me and Noah, curiosity lighting his eyes.

“Looks serious,” he said, nodding at the two of us. “What were you two talking about?”

“Nothing,” I answered a little too quickly, turning back to wipe down the counter.

Noah gave me a knowing look, but I ignored him and focused on pouring drinks for Michael’s table instead, hoping my face didn’t betray anything.

Michael’s eyes lingered on me a little too long, and I felt my wolf becoming attentive, interested.

He seemed to catch the awkward silence between Noah and me, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Okay, then,” he said, sounding unconvinced.

Michael took the tray I’d loaded up with drinks, but just before he turned away, he muttered, “Let me know if you need help with…whatever it is.”

His voice was soft, hesitant, like he was unsure if he should have even offered. But then he left, tray balanced perfectly as he wove back into the crowd.

The moment he was gone, Noah chuckled. "Smooth, Griff. Real smooth. He’s gonna figure it out if you keep acting like that,” Noah pointed out.

“Mind your own business, Noah,” I grumbled, but there was no real bite in my words.

Chapter 7

Michael

Griffin grunted as he took another step up the ladder, his head vanishing deeper into the top shelf.

“Which one did Noah want again?” he asked, shuffling through the boxes with a clinking of glasses that sounded borderline chaotic.

I held the ladder steady, fingers gripping tight as I silently counted to three before answering. “Second row to the right. The one with the extra inferno kick.”

I bit my lip, trying not to laugh, my grip tightening both to keep the ladder stable and to hold back the snicker threatening to escape.

Watching Griffin struggle with a stack of hot sauce boxes was definitely worth it.

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