She gave me a penetrating look. "Is that why you're here with me instead of there with him?"
"I guess," I murmured. "I mean…at the end of the day, we just sort of went our separate ways." And then, there was the thing Ididn'tsay.Griff had gone first, bolting like the place was on fire.
At the time, I'd tried to brush it off, but now, it was gnawing at me more than I wanted to admit.
I wasn't even sure why. After all, it shouldn't be a big deal. It wasn't like Griff and I had agreed to spend every evening together – even if this had become the pattern.
I was still mulling it over when Tessa said, "Youdoknow, you can have him come here, right? I mean, thisisyour house."
I felt heat rise to my cheeks as I considered how many nights we'd gotten busy in the tent. "I know."
"But…?"
"Honestly? I wasn't sure you'd like it."
She smiled. "Trust me, it's fine. Like I said, it'syourhouse."
"But that's not all," I admitted. "The truth is, it feels kind of funny having him come here when I have no idea wherehe'sliving."
"And you haven't asked?"
"Not really. I mean…I've hinted for information, but I haven't asked outright."
"Maybe you should."
I sank back against the cushions. "Maybe. But what if he won't tell me?"
She gave me a funny look. "Why wouldn't he?"
"I don't know. Maybe because he's private?"
Her eyes narrowed. "How private?"
"Well…if you want the truth, I'm not even sure of his last name."
She sat up straighter. "You can't be serious. Have youaskedfor his last name?"
I recalled my attempt to make his employment official. "Sort of. I mean, I asked him to fill out some paperwork once."
"And?"
I almost didn't want to say. When I replied, my voice came out oddly quiet. "And he refused."
"Oh." She frowned. "Well…that's not good."
I couldn't argue with that. So I didn't. Instead, I drained the bottle and excused myself to take a long, sudsy bath, hoping to wash away the sliminess of the day.
I soaked for a good, long time, but I never did feel quite clean – at least not when I considered the way Sierra had been eyeballing Griff, like she wouldn't mind stealing two guys in a row.
But then again, was Griff really mine to steal?
49
Thirteen Days and Counting
Griff
I arrived at the shop thirty minutes early but didn't enter. Instead, I stopped just outside the back door and stared good and hard.
