Page 96 of How He Got the Girl
Rhett makes it sound simple. But the thought of spending months apart from Griffin at a time feels anything but that.
I cross my arms on the table, ready to change the focus of the conversation to him. “You seem to know a lot about making relationships work for someone who doesn’t have a girlfriend. Why doesn’t some lucky girl already have you locked down?”
He runs a hand through his dark-blond hair, making it stand up in a messy way that somehow doesn’t look bad. “I was focused on getting my music career started, which didn’t leave much time for relationships. Once I made the time to date, most of the girls I went out with only did it to make a name for themselves, get their five minutes of fame. I want someone who wants me for me, not my fame.”
“You deserve that.” I grab a dumpling from a passing waiter. “I can only imagine how amazing the love song album you’ll make will be once you’ve found your person.”
“Does that mean you like my music?” Rhett pops a bacon-wrapped shrimp into his mouth.
“I may be a Rhettinator.”
“No kidding.” He smiles. “I’m honored, thank you.”
I shake my finger at him. “We’re going to find you a girl so you can write the best country love songs of all time.”
He shrugs. “I’ll take any help I can get.”
We talk until Griffin is finally done with all his obligations and rejoins us. He kisses my temple. “What do you say we get out of here? I know it’s been a long two days.”
I yawn. “Sounds good to me.”
Rhett closes the distance between us and pulls me in for a hug. “It was wonderfulfinallymeeting you after how much Griffin has talked about you for the past three years. You always have a place to stay if you visit Nashville.”
“Thanks.” I squeeze him back. “The same goes for you in Louisville.”
He moves to Griffin next, pulling him in for a bro hug. “Don’t mess this up, dude. You found yourself a good one.”
Griffin smiles at me over his friend’s shoulder. “I know I did.”
We say our final goodbyes and head out the back door to the car. Brittany is standing on the sidewalk and waves when she sees us. “It looks like we had the same idea.”
“Avoiding the paparazzi?” Griffin gives her a side hug.
“Exactly.” Brittany opens her arms to me, and I fold into them like we’re old friends. “How’d you enjoy your evening?”
“It was fun to see Griff in his element.” I run my hand along the side of my dress. “And to feel like a princess for the night.”
“What’d I tell you?” She smirks. “He couldn’t keep his eyes off you all night. I’ve never seen thatman so distracted.”
“Hey,” Griffin cuts in. “You’re giving away all my secrets.”
“If the fact that you find your girlfriend attractive is a secret, then you have bigger things to worry about.”
He shakes his head, stepping closer and settling his hand on my lower back. It’s starting to get chilly as the weather drops into the high fifties, though it’s not even close to the kind of winter temperatures I’m accustomed to. But Griffin’s hand feels warm and sure.
“Mallory knows just how gorgeous I think she is.” He brushes his free hand along my chin, turning my head to face him. “Don’t you, beautiful?” His eyes dip to my mouth. I bite my bottom lip, and his hand on my back draws me closer. The romantic tension between us hangs in the air like a thick fog, palpable and unignorable.
Brittany looks between us with a grin. “You two have a fun car ride.” She winks at me. “And a safe flight home tomorrow. Griffin has my number. Let me know if you’re ever back in the area, and we’ll get brunch or something.”
I wave to her, unable to find words with Griffin looking at me like that. After she leaves, Griffin’s driver pulls up. We slide into the car, and Griffin slides up the divider between us and the front seats.
The moment we’re fully alone, he turns to me. He trails his fingers along my ankle, my calf, and thigh before settling them on my hip. He reaches over, cupping the side of my face with his other hand.
The way his eyes soften as he looks at me makes me feel like I’m precious. Not an object to be won, but the prize he’d spend his whole life striving for. “To answer your earlier question, I think I’ve been falling for you ever since I met you.” His voice is low and husky. “I never had a chance of stopping it.”
My heart pounds in my chest. I’m still processing my own feelings and what a future between us would look like. But there’s one thing I know for certain: hearing him say he’s falling in love with me makes me happy. Like front-row-at-a-Taylor-Swift-concert-with-my-besties kind of happy.
“Griff, I—”
