Page 32 of You and Me, For Real
He walks to Luke, who’s been reading on a nearby bench under a tree. After some quick words are exchanged, Luke hands him his aviators and pulls a baseball hat from his back pocket.
Griffin slips them both on and returns to me. “Sorry about that.”
My stomach clenches. I dart my gaze around. “I’m not sure that’s gonna make much of a difference.”
“The other day you said I was a regular guy. I’m just blending in.”
“I said you deserve to betreatedlike a regular guy. That’s different.”
“So, you’re saying I’m special?” His lopsided smile and dimple are entirely too cute.
“You’re ornery is what you are!”
He laughs. “Thank you. And for the record, I like that about you. That you treat me like a normal guy.” His teasing tone fades. “I don’t get that very often.”
“Well, you’re welcome. It’s the least you deserve.” A common courtesy in my experience. I brush a loose wisp of hair from my face. “Regardless, I’d like to wrap up our session.”
He might not mind the extra eyes on us, but I have no desire to be recognized. The last thing I need is someone taking our picture, putting it online, and the world connecting me to the Blakes. I would end up being painted yet again as theotherwoman. Frankly, I’ll be doing him a favor as well.
Griffin takes a step closer to me. “I get the impression you don’t want to be seen with me.”
“You’d be correct.”
“And you don’t care to elaborate as to why?”
I meet his eyes, my voice calm and measured, as I keep the turmoil starting to boil under my skin in check. “I chose this park because it’s small and fairly private. I’d hoped we wouldn’t draw too much attention this early. But that seems impossible where you’re concerned.”
He takes off his sunglasses, clipping them on his shirt. “It’s part of the gig, I’m afraid. But I’ll always make sure you’re safe.”
I huff, wishing that were true. I know exactly how pushy fans and paparazzi can be. They feel entirely too entitled to people’s personal lives.
“I don’t like to be photographed, and I don’t want to be in tabloids.”
He scratches his cheek. “I’ll try to keep that from happening, but unfortunately, I have no control over the media or paparazzi. I do my best to fly under the radar, but sometimes it just can’t be helped.”
The thought of the repetitious, bright, invasive flashes over the course of my teenage years twists my gut, and my throat tightens. “Let’s call it a day.”
“Okay, sure. We can pick up where we left off next time.”
I pass Roxy’s leash to Griffin, my hands shaking. “Yeah. Next time.”
He takes the leash and bends his knees, meeting my eyes. “Which will be…?”
“I don’t know.” I look away, clinging to Teddy’s leash.
“What’s your schedule like?”
My brain is a scrambled mess. I just need out of here. The last thing he needs ismebeing photographed with him and tarnishing his image. That’s about all the media is good for anyway—twisting truths.
“I’m not sure. I’ll…I’ll text you.”
He steps closer, his voice soft. “Everything okay?”
“Yup, great. Just really got to pee.”
He laughs. “Okay, I’ll walk you to the restroom.”
“No, you stay. All good here.”
