Page 30 of Cakewalk
With the sun well past the horizon, I parked in the Davidsons’ driveway, stepping out with my high heels in my hands. I wiped my brow and let out a huff, wondering if every day would be as long as this one.
Not that I would mind if I was in Griffin’s company.
With that, I padded up the sidewalk, preparing myself for a very cranky King Kong inside.
Chapter 11
Jade
When Friday afternoon came,I must’ve been giving off a sense of dread, because Griffin looked up from his computer to ask, “Something wrong, Jade?”
I smiled up at him from my new desk. He had purchased a proper one for me, along with a chair Wednesday morning, much nicer than what he was working with. “No. I’m fine.”
Griffin’s deep blues narrowed on me, and it seemed like he wasn’t sure if it was his place or not to prod further. We had been keeping things surprisingly professional, despite the close proximity and memories ofthatnight making me want to tear his clothes off sometimes.
Finally, he decided to hell with it and asked me his first personal question in days. “It’s your sister, isn’t it? You haven’t told her?”
“I will tonight.”
“What are you planning on telling her?”
“That I’m working for the big bad Reed Enterprises. Though… I’ve been avoiding the subject of this entire thing so much that I’m not even sure yet if she knows you’re a completely separate entity from your father.”
“Probably should start with that.”
I laughed. “Yeah, probably.”
“But definitely stop before the part about the fountain and the park.”
My cheeks heated as I remembered the ecstasy of him deep inside of me. “Oh, I’m not even goingnearthat night. I thought we agreed it didn’t happen.”
He gave a wistful sigh and stood. “We can call it a night, then. Good luck with your dinner, and I hope you have a good weekend.” He started piling some things into his briefcase.
I stood after him, but I wasn’t done. “Wait. What can I tell her? Can I explain the whole thing about your dad framing you? And can I tell her what we’re planning with the business? I think she’ll be impressed.”
“Tell her what you must, but it might be better to wait until I can address everything next week at the town hall meeting.”
I nodded diligently. “Thank you, Griffin. For trusting me. And giving me a chance.”
His eyes softened. “You’re the one who gave me a chance. It’s the least I can do.” He lifted his briefcase. “Anyway, see you Monday.”
I watched him as he headed out. This was the first time he was leaving before me, so I peeked out the blinds to see how he managed to handle a motorcycle in his business attire. He strapped the briefcase onto the back, onto the seat where I sat that night, then he popped on his helmet and took off.
His mood seemed to drop at the very end there. I guess me insisting that night didn’t happen must have been like a punch to the gut.
If only I could tell him he wasn’t alone in that feeling. But that’d only encourage it, wouldn’t it? And we’d both be screwed if we gave into those whims again.
I sighed and closed up the office, trying to mentally prepare myself for tonight’s dinner.
Chapter 12
Jade
The warm yellowlight of the hanging lamp over the table did little to combat the wintry chill coming off of Courtney. She knew something was up. I cleared my throat and smiled at James, her husband. “How’s the general store?”
“Bit busier than usual,” he answered between bites of mashed potatoes. “Some blogger wrote an article about it. Called it something like ‘a quaint step back in time, but with a bit more inflation.’”
“That sounds about right.” I often dropped by to grab an old fashioned soda, but it certainly wasn’t five cents a bottle anymore.
