Page 25 of You and Me, For Real
“I want to. I believe in you and your abilities. I think you’d be great for Roxy.” He pulls out his wallet and removes a business card. “Here’s my number. Think it over. If you’re interested, text me. Call me. Whatever.” He holds out the card.
I eye it like it’s going to bite me. Then again, putting myself within the vicinity of someone so famous might truly bite me in the rear. Again.
The front door swings open. “Good morning!” Lynn pulls theOpensign’s chain. “How are you thi—” She spins around and sees Griffin. “Oh, well, hello again, dear. Everything work out okay with the dog? Did you bring her back this morning?”
“Actually, I decided to adopt her.”
Her face lights up like it’s Christmas. “Oh, wonderful. Wonderful. Such great news. Congratulations on becoming a pet owner.”
“Thank you. I’m just trying to line up a trainer.” He looks at me.
I dart my eyes away.
“I see.” Lynn studies the two of us. “We do have an excellent list of trainers in the area.”
“I had my mind set on one in particular.”
“Right.” Lynn comes around the counter and stands next to me. “We’re happy to help in any way we can.”
“Great.” Griffin hands his card to Lynn. “See if you can convincethisone to be my trainer.” He removes his key fob from his pocket. “I appreciate you ladies.” He looks at me. “Ashton, I hope to hear from you soon.”
I open my mouth, but nothing comes out.
He walks out the door.
It’s not until his car is out of the parking lot that Lynn speaks.
“Oh, honey, youhaveto do it.”
A big part of me wants to say yes, but the other part is still reeling from my sister’s reappearance and the reminders of everything I left behind. Can I really jump back into that realm? It doesn’t matter how nice Griffin seems, I’m always the one who gets hurt.
8
GRIFFIN
Did I sound too desperate?
Of course you did, you idiot.
Call me, text me, whatever. Might as well have said,Marry me.
The woman discombobulated me with her statement about how I’m a regular guy. While that may be the last thing someone might want to hear, it was exactly what I needed to hear. Who I long to be. With that one simple statement, she flipped my world right side up. I wasn’t just some celebrity to be used for her own benefit. That alone made me want to work with her more than ever.
She’s like no other woman I’ve ever met—certainly not like anyone in my typical Hollywood circle.
This fact is on repeat in my brain when I return home to see Scarlet’s red Porsche in my driveway. After such a rejuvenating morning, my body deflates knowing what I’m walking into. Yet another awkward conversation walking on eggshells.
Scarlet is perched on a barstool, sipping a glass of ice water with a freshly squeezed lemon.
Really rolling out the red carpet there, Luke. Should we add a tiny umbrella too?
“Hey, Scar. What are you doing here?” I drop my keys on the wide marble island.
Luke wide-eyes me from the opposite side of the counter. His pointed look tells me he’s plotting his escape now that I’m here to relieve him.
I laser my gaze on his, conveying the clear message of: “If you dare leave me here alone with her, so help me?—”
A slow grin stretches across his face.
