Now I did turn around, and the look on his face nearly undid me. "Yes, it does. I can't afford to screw this up, Griffin. This job is everything I've worked for."
"And what about us?"
The question hung in the air between us like a challenge. "There is no us," I said, hating myself for the lie. "There can't be."
Griffin's expression hardened. "Right. Because you can't risk anything messing up your perfect plan."
"That's not fair."
"Isn't it?" He stepped closer, and I caught the scent of his cologne, the warmth radiating from his skin. "You felt it too lastnight, Lila. What happened between us wasn't just sex, and you know it."
I did know it. That was the problem. "I can't."
"Can't, or won't?"
I didn't answer, couldn't answer. Because the truth was, I was terrified. Terrified of wanting him as much as I did. Terrified of letting someone get close enough to hurt me. Terrified of losing control of the life I'd fought so hard to build.
Griffin stared at me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Fine. You want to pretend last night didn't happen? Have it your way. But don't expect me to make it easy for you. I’m going to accept the offer to co-lead the buyer showcase on behalf of Rhodes Select Imports."
He turned and walked back toward the building, leaving me standing alone in the parking lot with my heart breaking and my carefully constructed walls crumbling around me.
Twenty minutes later, I sat across from Madeline Foster in the Sparkling Oak Winery conference room, trying to focus on her words instead of the ache in my chest.
"The buyer showcase is crucial," Madeline was saying. "Our biggest potential clients will be there, and I want everything perfect. Having Griffin Rhodes from our distributor presenting with you will show them the kind of win-win relationships we build."
"About that," I began, but Madeline cut me off.
"I know it's unconventional to throw you into something this big on your first week, but your resume is impressive. And Griffin comes highly recommended. Elise says you two have already been working together."
If she only knew how true that was.
"The showcase is Friday evening," Madeline continued. "That gives you both time to prepare. I've arranged for you to meet tomorrow morning to go over the presentation."
My stomach dropped. "Tomorrow?"
"Is that a problem?"
"No," I said quickly. "No problem at all."
But as I signed my employment paperwork and listened to Madeline outline my responsibilities, all I could think about was Griffin's parting words.
Don't expect me to make it easy for you.
Something told me the next week was going to be the hardest of my life.
Chapter Eight
Griffin
The sleek glass offices of Rhodes Select Imports felt like a different world from the dust and heat of Foxfire Valley. I sat across from Aunt Elise's polished desk, watching her manicured fingers tap against the gleaming surface as she studied me with those sharp hazel eyes that missed nothing.
"You look terrible," she said bluntly, leaning back in her leather chair. "When's the last time you slept?"
"Thanks for the pep talk," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. The truth was, I'd spent most of the night staring at the ceiling of my motel room, replaying every moment with Lila. The way she'd pulled away from me in the parking lot.The hurt in her eyes when she'd said there could be no "us." The walls she'd thrown up the moment things got complicated.
"It's the girl, isn't it?" Elise's voice was gentler now, the tone she'd used when I was younger and the world felt too big and hostile. "Lila."
I didn't bother denying it. "It doesn't matter. She made it clear she's not interested.”
