Page 56 of Griffin

I signed the contract and handed it back to Todd. He gave it a quick once-over before tucking it neatly into his folder.

“And here’s the bag you asked for,” Todd said, reaching under the table to pull out a small duffel bag.

“Oh, right!” I’d almost forgotten about it. I asked Todd to help me grab some things I hadn’t been able to pack before leaving.

I unzipped the bag and peeked inside. “You got everything I asked for. Thanks!”

Todd glanced at the open bag and let out a small laugh. “Didn’t know you still had those old college t-shirts.”

I pulled one out instinctively, smiling at the faded design. “Yeah, I wear them almost every night.”

Todd chuckled again. “Practically rags now, huh? Why don’t you throw them out? Saw you’ve got better ones.”

I laughed, trying to keep the mood light. “No way. These are too comfy.”

Beside me, Griffin shifted again, and this time I didn’t need to look to feel the tension rolling off him in waves.

Todd’s comment had clearly struck a nerve—implying he’d gone through my clothes? Yeah, that’d do it.

I reached under the table and tapped Griffin’s thigh lightly. A subtleit’s fine, don’t reactsignal. But the muscles beneath my fingers were tight.

Todd’s gaze flicked downward, catching the movement, and a smirk spread across his face.

“Why don’t I give you some of mine?” Todd offered, his voice smooth, almost amused. “Just as comfy, but not as, you know... threadbare.”

The air at the table felt like it had shifted, heavier and charged.

Griffin’s thigh twitched under my hand. I slid my palm down slightly and gave his leg a reassuring squeeze.

Todd’s smirk only widened.

My chest tightened.What had I been thinking, letting them meet?

It was like putting a lit match near a gas leak and hoping it wouldn’t blow.

Chapter 14

Griffin

“Nah, I’m good,” Michael said, his tone light but his posture stiff.

I noticed the faint, awkward smile he wore—the kind that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Todd’s offer had come out of nowhere and felt... off.

Todd leaned back, frowning slightly. “You sure? I’ve got some good ones. You always liked borrowing my stuff.”

I arched an eyebrow at that. Borrowing stuff? Maybe it was just a friendly gesture, but my instincts were prickling.

Todd wasn’t supposed to be anything more than Michael’s friend, right? So why was he acting like a possessive ex?

Michael cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable.

“I’m absolutely sure. Thanks for asking, though.” Michael picked up a fry, probably hoping that eating something would end the conversation.

And then Todd did the unthinkable. He reached across the table and snagged the exact fry Michael was holding. He popped it into his mouth with a casual shrug.

“I finished mine. Do you mind?” Todd asked.

Michael blinked, stunned, his hand hovering mid-air.

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