“We have… You give any more thought to spending more time here? I mean, this is almost finished, and you don’t have another job here in Whispers lined up. Planning on sticking around?”
I clear my throat. “Maybe.”
“She’s a nice woman.”
My eyebrow lifts, even as my heart beats a little faster. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I can’t look at him, my gaze remaining on the horizon in the direction of town, where I know the bakery to be. I’ve done nothing but think of my baker since the day I met her. The phone call we had a few days ago was over too soon. I wanted to call her again just to hear her voice. But I didn’t. With everything she’s got going on, that was the last thing she needs.
“Oh, Griff, I think you do.”
“I’m looking over the bakery project. That’s all.” I hate that he can see right through me. He’s the closest I have to family.
“Bullshit. You’re one of my closest friends, I know you’re talking rubbish.”
“She’s pregnant.” I’m starting to feel angry. At myself. For even having thoughts of a woman, but one who’s pregnant with another man's baby.
“Mm-hmm. I know.”
“I travel a lot.” I can’t get involved. I never get involved. I have no idea why I’m even entertaining it. Maybe I need a woman. A body. The hard-on I’ve had for the past week since she held my fucking hand in the truck is evidence of that. It’s been a long time since a woman held my hand. Fuck, I can’t even remember the last time I held something so soft.
“True.”
I sigh. “There are a million reasons why I shouldn’t even be here.”
“Yet here you are.”
I stand in the silence. Thinking.
“It’s opening day tomorrow,” I tell him, like he doesn’t already know.
“Hmmm, she’s been busy.”
My head moves swiftly in his direction. “You been in?”
“Victoria and the girls popped in to see if she needed anything. I thought since you were gone, it might be nice for them to go over.”
I nod. I’m glad there are others now watching out for her. “And?”
Tanner's eyebrows rise at my intensity. “And… she’s killing it. The bakery looks amazing, and she’s handing out free samples to everyone who drops by.”
I smile a little, huffing out a laugh. She’s so entrepreneurial. “She’ll have people lining up the street.” I told her that as we left the party last week, and I meant it. Her food is delicious. She’s going to be a success, I know it.
“She’s going to be great. Whispers is lucky to have her. And you.”
My throat thickens with emotion I try to bury deep, and luckily my cell vibrates in the next second.
It’s Savannah. Like a schmuck, I’ve been waiting for another text message, another call, so I grab it quickly. Too fucking eager.
“Savannah?”
Tanner watches me with a hint of amusement.
“Griffin!” She says my name in a way that has my feet moving.
“What’s wrong?” I’m already running to my truck, Tanner hot on my heels.
“I’m… I’m…” She’s crying, hiccupping, and I can’t make sense of anything she’s saying.
