Page 23 of You and Me, For Real
There’s a clatter, followed by a thump and a jiggling of a door handle. “Ashton?”
“Oh, dog biscuits!” I completely forgot about Griffin. I rush to the storage closet and swing open the door. His body barrels into mine, nearly knocking me over. His hands clasp my waist and hold me upright. “I’m so sorry about that.”
He’s breathing heavily. “What was that all about?”
“I panicked!”
His hair is disheveled and his eyes are wide.
“I’m so sorry. It was my sister.”
“Wow. You really don’t want me to meet your family?” His tone is playful, but there’s genuine surprise in his expression. His hands are still on my waist, our bodies closer than the social norm.
“No. It’s not that. I mean, it is.” How can I explain without actually explaining?
“Griffin Ford!” Marissa shrieks from across the room.
I jump back from him.
He looks down at me instead of the shrieking girl racing toward us from the back.
I mouth, “Sorry.”
His lips twitch just before Marissa bursts in between us like an eager, overgrown puppy. “Ohmygosh. Ohmygosh. Ohmygosh. My friends are never going to believe this!”
I may have dodged the fangirling over my sister, but it doesn’t appear I can be so lucky twice in one day.
“I’m such a huge fan. I loveMalibu Shores. I’m so crushed there’s not going to be another season.”
“Glad you enjoy the show.”
“Are you kidding? I freaking love it!”
Marissa clutches her phone to her chest with both hands, staring moon-eyed at Griffin. He chuckles, and I creep toward the counter, walking backward. Griffin’s smiling, but it doesn’t quite meet his eyes.
“What are you doing here?” Marissa asks.
“Adopting a dog. Actually, I need to finish some paperwork.”
I glance up.
His focus is entirely on me.
My heart does that weird pitter-patter thing again.
“Oh, right! Totally! Makes sense. Um, would you mind taking a selfie with me?”
He doesn’t hesitate, as though he already knew this question was coming. “Sure.”
They lean in together and take a quick picture.
“Thank you so much! My friends are going to flip out!”
He laughs. “No problem.” Griffin walks to the counter and grabs the pen from his paperwork.
Marissa continues to stand there, staring at him with the goofiest grin on her face.
I bring her back to earth. “Would you mind rinsing and refreshing all the water bowls?”
