Page 110 of You and Me, For Real
The slacks he wore for his date withScarlet. My stomach clenches.
Griffin pets the top of Teddy’s head. “It’s fine. Can you talk for a minute?”
“Sure.” I command Teddy to go inside. He does, wagging his tail for Wren this time.
Griffin waves to Wren. “Hey.” His greeting lacks his usual charm, appearing slightly deflated.
Wren waves and walks backward toward the kitchen, Teddy following her. “Don’t mind me. I’ll just be in here…doing dishes. Not listening at all.”
Griffin and I both smile and shake our heads.
I step further onto the porch and shut the door. “What’s going on?”
“I’ve been texting you. Have you not seen them?”
“No, we’ve been watching a movie. I left my phone in the kitchen. Is everything okay?” His worried tone puts me on alert. Is there more media drama?
He blows out a breath and rakes his fingers through his hair. “I was worried about you. I hated the way I left things earlier. I’m sorry for the things my dad said. He’s been overstepping for a while, and it’s just now becoming more apparent to me.”
“It’s okay.”
“No, it’s not.” He steps closer, and starting with my pinky—one finger at a time—he latches his hand to mine. “You mean a lot to me. And I never want to see you hurt, especially if I’m able to prevent it from happening. I want you to know that nothing my dad said about you or … us…has any weight on my decisions. I’minthis with you. This thing. Between you and me.”
Him fumbling with words is adorable. I’m torn between watching him blunder a little longer or putting him out of his misery and kissing him senseless. The hormones running through my system post-Austenlandare strong.
Before my head and body completely sync, my lips are on his. His arms wrap around my waist. My fingers comb into the back of his hair. While our kiss on the beach was a light exploration, this is a heated embrace that probably doesn’t belong outdoors. But when one feels led, one acts on those feelings.
Seconds…minutes later, Griffin pulls away beaming, breathing slightly heavier. “Does this mean I’m forgiven?”
I toy with the button of his shirt. “Yes, you’re forgiven.”
“Does that mean you’ll come over for a little while?”
“Actually, Wren and I are doing this girl-bonding thing tonight.”
He arches an eyebrow. “Girl bonding, huh?” His finger traces my face along my hairline. “Is that what this is?”
I mimic where he touched my face and feel the crusty remnants of the face mask. I cover my face along my hairline. “You weren’t supposed to see that!”
He chuckles and gently pries my fingers away. “I already know exactly what you look like and I’m sort of crazy about that woman.”
My arms go limp at my sides. “Really?” I smile, leaning toward him.
“Yes. Besides, I considered mentioning it to you, but before I had the chance, youthrewyourself at me.”
“Oh, hush up!” I scold but pull him closer.
He curls a strand of hair behind my ear. “I was thinking…maybe I could take you on a proper date sometime this week?”
I pull away, searching his eyes. “Are you sure that’s wise, considering what your dad said?”
“I’ll deal with my dad. This is my life, and it’s time I start living it the way I want to.”
“But what about the paparazzi? The public? What if they see us together?”
He smiles. “It wouldn’t be the end of the world, but I’ll take care of that part. Do you trust me?”
I wrap my arms around his neck and bring my nose to his. “Absolutely.”
