Page 49 of Mess With Me

My stomach grumbles audibly. “Waffles sound amazing.”

Griffin shakes his head. “We’re not going for waffles.”

“Why not?” I ask. Now that they’re in my head, I can’t think of anything else.

Chester frowns and leans forward, whispering loudly, “Is it the money, son? I know you’ve been wearing the same clothes for a while. I got my pension check last week. I can spot ya.”

I hide the little snort that comes out of me with a cough.

Griffin sighs wearily but places his big hands on the back of Chester’s shoulders and guides him toward the path. “Very kind of you, Ches, but we’ll sort it out.”

“You sure?” Chester asks as he lets himself be led toward the trees.

“Bye!” I call, blowing Chester a kiss.

He grins dopily, looking up at Griffin. “Did you see that?”

Griff grunts, turning him around again. “I didn’t see anything.”

I laugh, then run inside.

I wish dearly that I had some new clothes, but I’d wear a potato sack right now for waffles. I’m not taking no for an answer on that. Still, except for a few streaks of dirt, my pantsuit is in surprisingly decent shape. Besides, a waffle place isn’t going to have a dress code.

I’m just tucking my shirt in as I head for the front entry when Griffin comes in the back.

“I know you don’t want to,” I say, “but I’m desperate for waffles. I’ll buy.”

He frowns. “What are you doing?”

“Getting dressed. You know, in clothes. I’m wearing the same ones as yesterday, but that’s out of necessity, not because I’m struggling for money.”

“I’m not—” He looks down. “Okay, listen, Chester thinks I’m wearing the same clothes as the last time he saw me because I only have one kind of clothes.”

“Oh I know. You left your closet door open this morning.”

He glowers. “I was asking whyyou’re heading for those boots.”

I want to be a smartass and say it’s because I don’t have any shoes yet, but he already looks a little steamy. Instead I smile sweetly. “Because we’re going out for waffles.”

“I didn’t say we were going for waffles.”

“You’re right. Chester did, and I think it’s a great idea.”

Griffin folds his arms.

I’m getting irritated now. “Sorry, do you have plans or something?”

Griffin looks exasperated. “We can’t just go wandering around in public, Sasha. Did you forget everything that happened yesterday?”

Just like that, the warm feelings I had about him a moment ago cool over like ice. My irritation turns to anger. “I can’t believe you just asked me that.”

“And I can’t believe you’re ready to go gallivanting out in the world when a fucking criminal appears to be stalking you.”

My stomach goes swirly. I think I’m going to be sick. “Stalking?”

Griffin pales. “Fuck. No. We don’t know that. I shouldn’t have used that word.”

“No? Just a pet theory you’re working on?” I swallow, sitting down on the little bench in his entryway. It’s a nice bench. “Did you make this?” I ask, running my hand along the seat next to me. “I wonder if I could make something like this.”

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