Page 19 of Counterfeit Connection

“That explains so much,” he says while holding his stomach, chuckling at my expense. “She ghosted you. The Great Griffin Shaw was ghosted by a woman.” He pulls out his phone. “I need to document this day.”

I reach over and snatch it from his hands. “Don’t be a fuck.” I hold the phone out of his reach. “This isn’t funny.”

“Mate, it’s hilarious, but you’re right.” He clears his throat and holds his hands up in surrender. “I won’t laugh at you again.”

With that, I toss his phone back into his hands. As soon as the device is back between his palms, Tobias is doubled over in laughter again. “Sod. Off,” I grumble my way over to the mini bar, raiding it for something dark, woodsy, and with all the burn I can stand. My supposed friend’s laughter is still echoing off of every wall of my suite when my phone vibrates against the wood of my headboard.

“If that’s my father, tell him he can sod off too.”

I can hear the soles of Tobias’s shoes on the floor approaching behind me. “You know, being overly emotional doesn’t suit you. The vibration is not the only noise I hear. My mate’s openlaughter quiets to a snicker. I turn to find a smug look about his face.

“Now what?” I ask.

“It wasn’t dear old dad.” He chucks my phone into the middle of my chest. “Check the subject line on the email you just received.” The notification has left my view window, so I open the app to find it.Offer still good? Fuck me. It’s her.

From: Kaitlyn Logan

To: Griffin Shaw

Subject: Offer still good?

I’m sorry about the delay in getting back to you. Work has kept me a little busier than I’d have liked. Katarina and I would still like to meet you and Tobias for dinner one night before you head back across the pond. When would work for you?

Kait

I read the email more than once, trying to hide the uncharacteristic excitement bubbling in my chest.

I flip the phone around and show Tobias the email.

“Tell me about this Katarina,” Tobias says.

“Let’s just say she all but told me that if I hurt her friend, she’d throw me into the Hudson with cinder blocks tied to my feet.”

He smiles wide and claps his hands together once. “When can I meet her? I’m in love already.”

Chapter 7

Kaitlyn

This has been the longest Uber ride of my life, although it’s given me time to check my makeup one last time. “Jesus, Kait. You’d think you’d never been out on a date in your life.”

“This is not a date. It’s just people who know each other having dinner, or whatever, to get to know each other better. That’s it. That’s all.”

“That’s bullshit. Mika doesn’t clear your schedule an hour early so you can get a mani and waxed on a Friday or any damn day, for that matter. You’re not fussy like that.”

“Look who’s talking. You changed clothes like four times then went with your favorite little black dress anyway.”

“Hey, if it works, it works. I did my homework. Tobias Carter is notorious for going out in black. If I’m going to play ball, I’m playing ball.”

I wrinkle my nose. “That felt more like innuendo to me.”

“I’m in this for a home run my friend. If you feel comfortable as a wingman, I’m all good. Just know, you might be taking this ride home alone at the end of the night.”

I shake my head and make eye contact with the Uber driver in the rearview mirror. “Don’t mind her,” I tell him and he just chuckles.

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