31
February
It’s Valentine’s Day, a holiday I’ve never really loved because I haven’t been in a relationship on this day before. Cades and I have been staying at Griff’s place in Minnesota for the past six weeks since he was injured. I told him we weren’t moving in here permanently, that we were just staying until he was finished with recovery and back in Colorado.
What I didn’t realize at the time was that his injury was season-ending, and Griff will be recovering and doing therapy through the offseason in Minnesota.
I’ve since amended our timeline to be until he’s back on his feet, likely sometime around Cadence’s second birthday at the end of March, which he insisted we now host her birthday party here instead of at Carson’s as I had originally planned.
Griff hasn’t pushed me regarding a relationship between us. He promised me we’re going to take this at my pace, and he’s honored that.
But . . . that hasn’t kept me from sleeping in his bed each night. I can’t help it! What if he needs his leg propped up in the middle of the night? Or for me to help him fill his bottle of water? It’s just easier to be in the same room as him in case he needs me.
Yeah, that’s the reason. It has nothing to do with how surreal it feels to wake up with his strong arms wrapped around you. Keep living in your delusional little bubble, McKenna.
We haven’t done anything, though he does kiss me on the forehead before bed each night and pulls me into his chest, where I fall asleep. Needless to say, my restraint is hanging by a thread.
After a long stretch, I roll over to find an empty bed and Griff’s crutches missing from beside his side of the bed. I quickly go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, wash my face, and throw my hair up in a messy bun before heading downstairs.
I get to the landing of the stairs, and the sight before me has me stopping in my tracks.
Holy. Shit.
There are two vases full of pink and red flowers on the kitchen island, balloons floating to the ceiling, and a shirtless Griffin is just placing a platter of crepes, fruit, and toppings next to the flowers.
“What’s all this?” I ask, trying not to drool at the sight of him shirtless in the kitchen.
He wipes his hands on his gray sweatpants—which are slung so low on his hips I can see every delicious edge of his abs, the smattering of hair that disappears under his waistband, and the V of his adonis belt that makes me melt. Then he grabs his crutches and meets me at the bottom of the steps, where I’m still gawking.
Griff places a kiss on my forehead, then each of my cheeks. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Sunshine.”
His smile lights up his face, dimples on full display. My heart swells from the sincerity shining in his eyes, and I can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of belonging. These past few months since Griffin has come back into our lives have made me feel alive again.
“Happy V-Day, G.” I take him in again now that he’s closer and I’m spellbound by the intensity of my need for this man.
The trance I was in is broken when I hear a clang in the kitchen. He had me in such a stupor I didn’t even see Cadence in her highchair.
“Good morning, baby,” I coo to her.
“Mama! Look!” she points up at the balloons hanging from the ceiling next to her highchair. She’s squirming around so excitedly I fear she’d fall out if she weren’t strapped in.
“Oh my goodness, Cades, what are we going to do with your daddy? He’s spoiled us silly this morning!”
Griff chuckles, probably laughing at the animated voice I use when talking to Cadence.
“I had to go all out for my girls on my very first Valentine’s Day with the two of you.”
I pull him in for a hug. Heat tugs low in my belly at the feel of his warm skin and toned muscles encasing me. His familiar scent is like my own personal drug—the pheromones making me feel like I’m an animal in heat.
“Well, thank you. We appreciate it, and you.”
“No need to thank me, Sunshine.” He places a quick kiss on the top of my head, and I can’t help but long for his lips to land on mine.
“Now, let’s get this little gremlin fed before our hangry Cadeygirl comes out.”
We’ve just gotten Cadence to sleep when Griff asks, “Will you watch a movie with me, Valentine?”
I smirk at the new nickname.
