Page 80 of You and Me, For Real
I study the dusting of freckles across her nose and cheeks, her pale skin making her green eyes pop.
“You’re gonna do great, I just know it! You’ll have Griffin or me by your side the whole time.”
I inhale a deep breath, trying to steady my heart and absorb some of Wren’s confidence. “Okay.”
“Now, let’s march you next door like the boss babe you are.”
Everyone needs a cheerleader in their life. I’m grateful to have a new one.
I wobbleover to Griffin’s driveway with only a small limp. If I walk slowly enough, no one will even notice my off-kilter gate, except for the glaring black wrap I have around my ankle.
Griffin’s back is resting against his Audi parked in the driveway, so similar to the day he came back to the shelter and asked to keep Roxy. His head is bent, looking at his phone. He’s wearing a navy button-up with the sleeves rolled up his forearms. And oh my does he look delicious. My mouth watersat the sight. Cue theSixteen Candlesmontage with Jake Ryan leaning against his sports car—but ten times sexier.
At the soft clip of my sandals, he looks up.
Time slows.
My surroundings blur.
His gaze is languid as he studies me. His mouth opens and then closes. His Adam’s apple bobs a couple of times before he says, “You look…gorgeous.”
I smile but look away, shying from the intensity of his stare. “Thank you. It’s the hair and the makeup. Wren did an amazing job.”
He takes a step toward me. His voice is quiet. “It’s not the hair”—another step—“or the makeup.” Another step, and his hands are on either side of my waist. “It’s justyou.”
“Doesn’t she just look fabulous?”
I jolt at Wren’s shout.
I swivel to see her standing on her porch waving like a proud mom about to send her daughter off to prom with a, “Toodles, you two kids have fun!”
I chuckle, my hands tingling with nerves, my face hot with the embarrassment of having an audience.
“I’ll see you guys over there, okay? I’ll be fashionably late. You know, got to make an entrance and all that.”
Griffin’s eyes never leave mine. He just waves her goodbye.
I hear Wren’s front door shut, and then it’s just the two of us, illuminated by his soft garage lights and the nearly set sun. The intensity of Griffin’s gaze takes my breath away. His hands glide around to the back of my waist, his arms encasing me, his face inches from mine.
“You look perfect. Doesn’t matter what you wear or how you do your makeup.” He places a chaste kiss on my cheek. “You ready?”
“No.”
My body is abuzz like an overloaded electric socket.
His eyes crinkle, his dimple on display. “It’s going to be good, but if you’d rather, we can just stay here. Maybe watch another movie? This time, we can actually sit on the couch together. Assuming Teddy will share you?”
He’s cute, and the picture he paints is perfect, but…
“As much as I would love to say yes, I think we both need to go tonight.” I don’t want to be the girl that held him back from his career goals. Even if the idea of seeing him with a date—a pretend date—makes me nauseated.
He groans and closes his eyes. “You’re right. Tonight will be a great opportunity for the rescue.” He weaves his fingers through mine. His chest bumps into mine. He leans in, his rough jaw rubbing my cheek as he whispers, “Though, I’d much rather be at home with you.”
His soft words make goosebumps erupt along my skin. My mind goes hazy. Why, exactly, is tonight such an important night again?
Luke shouts from the front porch, “You guys ready for the dogs?”
I jump back from Griffin.
