I let out a shaky breath, relieved to be away from their leering gazes. “It’s okay,” I manage to say, looking into Griffin’s hazel eyes – eyes that I find both captivating and unnerving.
“Let’s get you that key,” he says, motioning for me to follow him. When we make it to his office, he clicks the door shut behind us. He crosses the room to his desk where he grabs a key from one of the drawers.
“Here you go,” he says, extending it towards me.
I take it, holding it tightly in my hand. “Thanks. I’ll make sure to bring it back.”
“Do you have somewhere else to go?” he asks, concern evident in his voice.
I hesitate. “Not yet, but I’ll figure it out. I always do.”
He leans back against his desk, crossing his arms over his chest. “You shouldn’t have to. Look, you can stay at the house. There’s plenty of space, and Elliot’s not there anymore.”
My head shakes almost involuntarily. “That’s… weird. I mean, you’re his dad.”
A faint smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth. “And? It’s not like I’m asking you to move into my room. Just think of it as a favor—for both of us. I was actually starting to enjoy having help with the cooking and cleaning.”
His words give me pause, but the uncertainty remains. Living with Griffin could lead to complications neither of us are prepared for. Yet, as I stand here in his office, the weight of my situation leaves me feeling more vulnerable than ever. And forthe first time in a long while, I find myself leaning on someone else, even if it’s just a little.
I let out a soft laugh, the sound more nervous than amused. “A compromise, huh?” The word tastes strange on my lips.
“Exactly,” Griffin agrees, his hazel eyes warm and steady.
Drawing in a deep breath, I concede to the arrangement. “Okay. But just for a little while. And I’ll pay rent or something.” The thought of living off someone else’s generosity, even someone as understanding as Griffin, doesn’t sit well with me, but it’s better than sleeping in my car or something.
“Rent” seems to barely register as he waves a dismissive hand. “We’ll figure it out. I’ll be home tonight if you need anything.” His voice is gentle.
And I find myself looking forward to seeing him back at his house where it’ll bejust the two of us.
8
FAYE
Living with Griffin has been way easier than living with Elliot ever was.
In exchange for some cleaning and cooking, he lets me stay rent-free. Not that there’s much to clean anyway; he’s naturally tidy which is something I can appreciate especially since his son was the opposite.
I realize I feel surprisingly comfortable in this house. I’ve found a rhythm with Griffin—sharing small moments like conversations over dinner or teasing remarks about my cooking experiments.
The sound of the front door opening catches my attention, and I wipe my hands on a nearby towel before making my way to the living room.
“Hey, Griffin,” I call out as he enters the house. He carries a small, wrapped package, which piques my curiosity. He smirks, holding the gift out toward me.
“This? It’s for you.”
My eyebrow shoots up, and I glance down at the coffee mug I’ve abandoned on the couch. “For me? You do realize Christmas is still a week away, right?”
He leans casually against the doorframe, shrugging. “I saw it and thought of you. Figured you’d like it, so why wait?”
I hesitate, touched by the gesture. Taking the gift, I murmur softly, “You didn’t have to get me anything. I didn’t expect this.”
My fingers tremble as I carefully unwrap the gift, revealing a beautiful, high-quality sweater. The rich, soft fabric is my favorite color, and I can’t help but gasp in delight. Running my fingers over the material, I look up at Griffin with wide eyes.
“This is… wow. It’s gorgeous, Griffin. You really didn’t have to do this.” My voice is barely above a whisper, betraying my surprise and gratitude.
Griffin’s hazel eyes are warm as he smiles back at me. “Maybe you can wear it at ‘Euphoria.’ I hear sweaters are all the rage there.” His tone is teasing, and I can’t help but burst out laughing.
“Yeah, I’m sure I’d make a ton of money bundled up in this. Very sexy.” I shake my head, still chuckling.
