“Griffin!Wait!”
Casey rushes toward me, but she doesn’t know that I was already waiting for her.She bounds up to me, flushed and excited.“Thanks again for coming to see me on my first day.”
“Of course.This is my favorite place to come.You’ll probably be seeing me a lot.”
She toys with the end of her ponytail as she gnaws on her bottom lip.“Speaking of seeing you a lot, I wanted to talk to you…”
“What’s up?”I make my hands into fists in my pockets in a bid to keep them from moving any closer to her.The orange-red sunset over the lake has reached us here in the gravel parking lot, and it’s got me feeling romantic.I catch the scent of peonies from a nearby bush.I’d pull her into my arms and not let go until tomorrow if I could.
But instead, I make fists in my pockets and wait.
“Is your roomie offer still on the table?”She smiles hopefully at me.
“Fuck yeah it is.You decided?”
She nods, though it’s mixed with a grimace.“I just need to get out of my parents’ house.I was thinking about what you said…about getting robbed and all that.If you’re willing, I’d much rather live with a friend than a stranger.”
“I think that’s smart.”
“The only thing is Iwillbe paying you rent.”She points a finger at me as though this has any impact.
“Uh…no.”I laugh, adjusting my backwards ball cap.“You won’t.”
“We’ll see about that,” she warns.
“I already saw to it,” I respond, playfully swatting her shoulder.“We’re good.”
She gives a super cute pout-harrumph, crossing her arms over her chest.
“When you moving in, roomie?”I ask.
“Whenever you’re ready for me.”
It seems overeager to sayright now,so I shrug.“Let’s shoot for tomorrow.I’ll be around.”
I need to keep this attraction casual, though the thumping behind my ribcage is anything but.Her living with me will soothe the anxious part of me that would worry whether her random roomie was out to hurt her or steal from her.At least now I can keep an eye on her.Keep her safe.
But definitely not make hermine.
Even though that’s the only thing I want to do as I look into her pretty hazel eyes.
CHAPTER EIGHT
CASEY
“There we go,” I murmur as I zip up the last suitcase and push it under the bed.“Home sweet home for you.For the next couple of months at least.”
I lean back on my heels, looking around the room.I’ve spent the morning getting settled into the spare room at Griffin’s house.It didn’t take long for me to move in, since I don’t have much here in Bayshore.It’s certainly nice that my car doesn’t look like I operate a Tupperware business out of the backseat anymore, or a used bookstore.Now I could even give a friend a ride if they needed one.But the truth is that I don’t plan to use my car much this summer.Not when the couple-mile bike ride from Griffin’s house to the bar issoenjoyable this time of year.
I’ve gotten all my clothes neatly arranged into the dresser.On top I’ve stacked my emotional support pile of books, which, as usual, is far too many.I think I unpacked more books than anything else.But I need to have a variety on me at all times.It’s a requirement for my well-being.
Just like my little purple satin bag, which I tuck into the drawer of the nightstand.The contents of that bag won’t be used until later tonight, and I couldn’t be more excited.I need to let off some steam in the worst way.My infatuation with Griffin is growing to dangerous levels.When he came into Brews last night, I thought I’d cry from excitement at spotting his broad shoulders at the end of the bar, those gray-blue eyes already waiting for mine.And coming to support me on my first day at a new job?
Just marry me already, Griffin.
But those aren’t things you say to your old friend…remember?
I push the thoughts out of my mind, realizing I have to pee.Badly.I’ve been so focused on my task that I forgot about bodily functions.I crack open the bedroom door just as the bathroom door opens.A puff of steam escapes, followed by Griffin.
