“We have you until…when?Mid-August?”Sara asks.We spent most of dinner catching up on their career and relationship developments.I’ve tried not to share too much about what’s recently imploded for me, but they know I’m single along with my recent layoff.
“Just until my sister’s wedding.My lease begins August first in Chicago, and I’ve already paid the deposit and first and last month’s rent, but I’ll formally move in closer to mid-August after the wedding.”
“And you couldn’t scoot in there a little sooner?”Julie asks.
“No,” I say with a sigh, the warmth of the heavy-handed cocktail winding through me.I need to be good about drinking water tonight, but it’s hard to remember when there’s so much conversation and the tasty cocktails are flowing.“I’ll be moving in with one of my Chicago besties.But she’s got a roommate whose lease runs through July.”
“Well I’m glad that lease is there because it means we’ve got you for the summer,” Roxie says with a grin.
“It’ll be nice to spend some time in Bayshore,” I say, though I’m not sure I fully feel it.Truthfully, I’m worried about my parents and my sister undercutting me at every turn.Of being smashed into the box labeled Small & Useless.But I also want to turn over a new leaf.A new chapter, really.Hell, I’d start a whole new book at this point–some of my personal plot developments have me wanting to DNF and find a different genre.
“Ladies.”The bartender approaches us with a cocktail in each hand.It looks fruity, fancy, and utterly delicious.He slides one toward me, then another to Roxie, and then grabs two more for Julie and Sara.“These were sent from over there.”
Surprise trickles through me as I exchange shocked looks with my friends.I turn to follow the nod of the bartender, and I recognize the handsome smile before my tipsy brain even puts two and two together.
Relief washes through me.
It’s Griffin.
He’s here.
“You guys bought us a round?”Roxie shouts across the bar.Griffin and another high school friend of ours, Branson, are smiling proudly as they saunter our way.I can’t rip my eyes off Griffin as he comes near, and I swear he holds my gaze the entire time.
“Hope we didn’t miss the fun,” Griffin says, cocking a grin.He looks freshly showered and is wearing a sleeveless tee that allows glimpses of those cover model-grade pecs and washboard abs I felt yesterday through his shirt.To top things off, he’s wearing a backward ballcap, which leaves a few unruly waves curling outward at the back.My entire body clenches with need as I gobble up the delicious details of this man.
High School Casey could never have fathomed that Griffin Keegan was capable of gettingeven hotter.
“We’re just getting started,” Julie promises, though I’m not entirely sure I agree with that.I feel like I’m just shy of finishing, but maybe I’m a lightweight.
“How did you know we were here?”I finally ask, unable to stop grinning as I look up at him.
“Well, since somebody wouldn’t answer her texts, I asked my buddy Zane if he’d seen you guys.”Griffin tips his head toward the bartender, who gives a tiny salute in response.“I figured you’d all eventually migrate here.”It takes a moment for his meaning to sink in.
“Wait, you texted me?”I ask.
“Like three times,” he says with a laugh.“Did you forget how to use your phone?”He pauses, looking down at the round of drinks.“Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten you another drink.”
I’m fumbling to pull out my phone, absolutely bamboozled about this turn of events.I’d been waiting on pins and needles for a response from this man forhours.And here he’d sent me three messages?It’s the nightmare scenario from every high school rom-com.When I pull out my phone, I see nothing amiss.
“Is there no cell phone service in downtown Bayshore?”I ask to anyone who’s listening.
Griffin leans over, his deep voice closer to my ear.“It’s in airplane mode, Casey.”
I suck in a sharp breath.Goosepimples flare across my forearms, and I can feel how close he is.Heat is pouring off him, and I swear my thighs could start quivering if he whispered “airplane mode” again right now.
“Ope,” I say with a little laugh, tucking it back into my purse.Absolutely every cell of my being is focused on two things: Griffin’s nearness and trying to play it cool.“Not sure how that happened.”
His grin turns mischievous.“You don’t want your boyfriend calling tonight, huh?”
The comment roots me to my spot.I’m not sure how to respond, other than blurting that I’m perfectly single and ready to mingle.
Luckily, Roxie does the heavy lifting for me when she leans over and says, “Boyfriend?Casey isfree as a bird.”
Unfiltered interest flashes across Griffin’s handsome face.A brow lifts as he says, “Wow.I must have missed a lot by not going to dinner.”
“No, no,” I say, waving a hand in the air between us as I slurp down the rest of my mint julep.I might not know how to keep my phone out of airplane mode, but I know why Griffin is confused.My sister openly talked about Jake attending the wedding in front of him yesterday.“I’ve been single for a while, I just, uh…haven’t told Claire yet.”
Griffin rubs his hand along the scruff of his jaw as he yanks out the stool next to me at the bar and sits down.“And why would that be?”
