Page 81 of Counterfeit Connection

I open my mouth to speak, but Kaitlyn does so first.

“I am, but Griffin and I had many lengthy conversations about this, and I wanted to do what I could to help him. What his father is doing isn’t fair, and I was in a position to do this for him.”

“So this,” she motions between the two of us, “is fake? Is that what you’re saying?”

Kaitlyn nods immediately, and I feel a deep stab in my gut at her quickness, even though I shouldn’t.

“Well,” my mother continues, “you’re better actors than I could’ve imagined.”

“Mum, please. Kaitlyn and I really do enjoy each other. Do we play up for the cameras? I suppose. What I can tell you is, this woman is selfless, honorable, smarter than I am, definitely can tell someone off better than I ever could. If this is the path I’ve been given, I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side.”

I look over at Kaitlyn as I feel her hand squeeze mine. Her eyes are glazed over with tears. I didn’t think telling the truth would gain that response. I lean over to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. Her eyes gently close before reopening to find my mother regarding us both.

“When Griffin and I met, he was brash, arrogant, and even a little, dare I say, cocky.”

My mother cracks a small smile for the first time. “You could say that.”

“After I really looked, I could tell he was full of pride, high standards, a moral compass I only thought was written about in old romance novels, but yet he never makes me feel less than in any way. In fact, if anyone, including myself, attempts to be unkind to me, he swoops in because he’s not having it. I enjoy spending time with him. I enjoy him”

“Then I have to ask,” my mother replies. “Why hasn’t this evolved into something real?”

Kaitlyn

Her question is one that I’ve asked myself time and time again over the course of the last few days. We clearly care for eachother in a way neither of us seemed to be prepared for, so why are we still faking it when the connectionisreal?

Griffin answers before I can process a response.

“That’s something I’d like to discuss with Kaitlyn at a later time… and privately, Mum.”

Oh.My heart leaps.

Bianca rises from her seat and circles the table until she’s at Griffin’s side, and she pulls him into a hug, kissing the top of his head. “Thank you for telling me the truth.”

“It was going to be hard. Fucking hard. I felt like it was the only way. Now,” Griffin looks down at me, “maybe not so much.”

Spending the afternoon with Bianca was everything I needed it to be. Once everything was out in the open, walls came down, and my heart suddenly opened wide. She told story after story about Griffin as a child as we walked the grounds surrounding her spacious cottage, while he took a phone call with Tobias in the kitchen. The countryside stretched on for miles around us. It felt like I was at home with my father. It was home.

I could see where Griffin got his smile, his personality, and definitely his moral compass. He is her mini-me. While Tobias is his mate, I can tell she is his person. While Griffin takes another call, Bianca pulls me in closer to her on the sun-filled couch. “I can’t remember the last time Griffin introduced me to anyone. He certainly found a match in you.”

“I haven’t allowed myself to think about it. I mean, don’t get me wrong, he’s very intelligent, which is a must, and he’s very attractive…I mean, look who his mother is.”

“Oh stop.” Bianca giggles like a young girl.

“It’s true. I didn’t even think about it when we were staying with my father this past week.”

“Griffy met your family then? Wow. He does have true feelings for you.”

I look down to play with one of the stitches on my dress. “I’ve only had the last hour to even realize that could be possible. It was a contract before that.”

“I don’t know you that well, darling, but I do know my son. I’ve never seen him look at any woman the way he looks at you, in pictures or otherwise.”

“I wish I knew how to properly process what you’re telling me, but I feel like I’m on a Tilt-A-Whirl at the carnival. I’m overwhelmed by my feelings, his feelings, and now this, and the fact that it could be real.”

“Sweetheart.” She stops me and takes my hands. “All I can say is you should follow your heart and chase what makes you feel good. Don’t question it or overthink it. That’s how you end up with regrets. Trust me.”

Unexpected tears prick my eyes. “Thank you so much for being so amazing to me. You don’t even know me and you’re so nice.”

“If Griffy loves you, then so do I.” She wraps me in a hug.

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