Page 38 of Billionaire Retreat

Chapter 8

“So, are you really going to go out with him?” Griffin asked, sitting down next to me while I waited on set.

I sighed heavily. I hadn’t slept well that night and it was all his fault. I was naturally angry with him, even if he hadn’t done anything directly to cause it.

“What I do in my free time is none of your business, Griffin.”

“You know my friends call me Griff.”

“You’re not my friend.”

“I’d like to be...”

I looked at him sharply. The statement caught me off-guard. I stared into his eyes and realized that he meant it.

“Come on, Nina. I’m not a bad guy. You know that.”

“Actually, I don’t know. We barely know each other.”

“We could change that.”

He was right, but I didn’t want to talk to him. After all, he hadn’t answered my question from the other day.

“I know things between us didn’t end well. I know in your opinion you don’t have a reason to trust me, especially after the way things ended between us on the island. “

“That’s one way to put it.”

“Listen, join me for dinner. That’s all I’m asking for. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Why? Why even bother?” I said mostly to myself.

“Closure?”

“Ha!”

“Ok, maybe because the other day you wanted answers that I couldn’t give you. I want to give you those answers.”

I considered his words. I needed answers... not just for me but for Sadie.

“Tonight then.”

He smiled widely. “I’m glad. I’ll see you tonight.” He walked away, clearly not interested in the commercial now that he had apparently got what he wanted. I was afraid I’d made it too easy for him.

“I’ll send the car for you,” he yelled as he sauntered out. I couldn’t help but stare at his butt and then his words sunk in.

“What? No! I’ll just meet you somewhere!” I yelled back, but it was too late. He was already gone.

“Great, just great,” I said shaking my head... what the heck had I just agreed to?

I spent the rest of the day trying to not mess up my lines. I was so distracted. I decided to call Mom and Sadie when I could no longer think straight. I missed home so much. I didn’t reach them and looked at the time. I forgot about the time difference and assumed they were probably watching TV together and Mom was away from her phone.

I decided to call Dad instead. I knew he would just be sitting around looking at some genealogy stuff while Mom and Sadie drifted off in front of the TV.

He picked up immediately, like I knew he would.

“So finally, you call your dad... I was beginning to feel like you forgot about us Southern folks down here.”

I laughed. “Hi to you too, Daddy. How are you? How’s work?”