Page 114 of Love Felt Like This

I look up as the bartender approaches, just in time to say, “Two waters.”

“Two?” Griffin asks.

“Well, you look parched too.”

He clears his throat but doesn’t answer.

“Well, you do!” I continue. “You keep licking your lips and swallowing and clearing your throat, just like—there!—you just did!”

Griffin tongues his cheek. “You’re noticing a lot of things about me tonight, B.”

Yes, I’m noticing that his mouth is beautiful. Thick pink lips hidden behind a well-kept beard. Beau never could grow a beard.

I lift my chin. “That’s why I got you water. Y’know, Griffin, I think you need someone to take care of you.”

“Do I, now?”

“Absolutely. You’re looking out for me and for Ava, and I see the way you look at your friends. You love them. Well, I’m gonna be looking out for you.”

He chuckles. “I appreciate that, but what can a five-foot blond girl do for me?”

“Make you less thirsty.”

“Oh.” He says it slowly, as if wistful. “Probably not.”

“Do you want bourbon?”

“Why bourbon?”

“You were drinking that on our first date. I mean, dinner. Dinner.”

Griffin smiles. “You can call it a date, if you want.”

I ignore him because that seems smart right now. “So, bourbon?”

“Just water is fine.”

“Three waters!” I call with my hand in the air, but Griffin tugs my arm down with a laugh.

I lean on the bar with my elbow, gazing into Griffin’s beautiful brown eyes until Poe comes up and stumbles right into the bar, clotheslining his own stomach.

“Ooh,” Griffin and I say at the same time, squinting like we’re witnessing a wrestling match between Poe and the bar.

Poe, undeterred by pain, asks, “More shots?”

“I, uh…” I straighten my posture. “No, I don’t think so.”

Griffin gives another half smile. But Poe leans his head on the counter, and Griffin’s expression falls.

“Poe, you all right, man?”

“Yeah, I just need…hmm…do you want some fun history facts? I can give any you want. I’ve read so much. Wars? Cowboys? Rooomance?” He croons the last one.

Griffin pats his arm. “Maybe later, Poe.”

Poe’s eyes squint. “Do you know where the toilets are? Is that—” He points to a random corner with an Exit sign.

“Other way.” Griffin takes Poe’s arms and turns him in the opposite direction.