Page 50 of Barefoot Dreams
But tomorrow comes and goes just like the day before.
And the next day. And the day after that.
After a week of no shows, I decide to go see if everything is all right with him. Loverly Cave isn’t known for keeping secrets, so not having a sliver of news about Griffin makes me worried.
For a second, I’ve convinced myself our town is too much for him again and he must’ve moved away after all, but as I round the corner and the fire station comes to view, I spot those broad shoulders stretching the back of his dark blue T-shirt and those khaki pants molding his backside to near perfection.
I was never into tight-fitting clothes until I saw Griffin in his uniform, and I have to mentally shake myself. Griffin has always been handsome, at every age, but this version of him? It’s by far my favorite.
I’m still a good twenty feet away, but he seems to sense someone approaching, swinging his head to look over his shoulder and for a second, all my worries fall away because there’s a flash of happiness on his face.
But it’s only a flash.
One he replaces with a blackened expression. I have a strange sense he wants to run away but by this point it’s too late.
“Hey, Julie,” Griffin greets me with an acknowledging nod. I don’t like it.
Hey, Julie?Why does that sound so…wrong?
“Hi, Griff.” I smile, my heart beating so hard I swear he can see it through my shirt.
“What are you doing here? Going to lunch with Owen?” he asks, the stubble on his face much longer than the last time I saw him.
“Oh, no, I was coming to see you.”
“Me?” His eyebrows jump up.
“Yep,” I smile broadly.
That’s my life motto.
One of many.
In any situation, smile. A happy smile or a sad one, a smile is an answer to any question. And the worse the situation, the bigger the smile.
Delusional much? Yeah, maybe. But it’s worked for me thus far.
“You haven’t stopped by the shop in a while,” I say, hiding the nerves behind my happy expression.
Right away, his arm starts moving up and I know it’s to rub the back of his neck, but Griffin must catch himself doing it and drops it. “I got a coffee machine.”
I blink. “A coffee machine?” I state, not understanding what that has to do with anything.
“Yeah, you know to make my own coffee at home.”
“Oh, okay, I haven’t thought of that scenario.”
“Mm-hmm. It’s peaceful.”
“Your coffee machine?” I frown.
“Yep, it’s my new best friend.”
“Wow, must be some good coffee.” I nibble on the corner of my lip.
“The best I’ve had.” Realization hits Griffin even before he finished the sentence. “I didn’t mean—” he starts but I stop him.
With a smile that just barely glazes over the drop my heart made.
