Griff was still focused on the window. "Yup." He turned and gave me a wry smile. "Wait here. I'll be back in thirty seconds."
52
Balconies and Bombshells
Maisie
I stayed put for barely a minute before drifting out to the balcony in search of fresher air. As the breeze rustled the tendrils of my hair, I stood still, gazing out over the water while my thoughts churned a mile a minute.
Back in the beginning, Griff had given me two main reasons for working at the shop. Reason one. He was living in a dump. Reason two. He was hurting for cash.
At the time, I hadn't quite believed either of those things.
But now?Oh, yeah. I was believing, alright.
It was a relief to learn he hadn't been lying. And if I were being totally honest, it made me feel just a little better about myself.
When I'd first spotted him at the ferry dock, he'd seemed so far out of my league that I couldn't even picture us in the same orbit, much less together.
Now, I was seeing all sorts of things.
Sure, he was still a mystery to be solved, but maybe he was coming off hard times of his own.Hey, it happens to the best of us, right?
My thoughts were still churning when I heard his voice, low but perfectly clear from somewhere below. "What areyoudoing here?"
The second voice – Ryder, obviously – replied with a laugh. "Not just me."
Griff's reply came out clipped. "What?"
With a grin in his voice, Ryder said, "Unless you've stolen a second bike, you've got company."
Right.Both of our bikes were parked outside, near the stairs. We'd come here straight from work – well, after I'd spilled my financial guts, that is.
I glanced toward the interior of Griff's apartment.Should I go back inside?I didn't want to eavesdrop. But I didn't want to linger in that stench either. Still unsure, I leaned over the railing and looked around.
I couldn't see them, but I could still hear their voices. The way things sounded, they were standing near the bikes.
I was still debating what to do when Griff replied, "Yeah, well you're not meeting her, so don't ask."
"Why not?" Ryder gave a low chuckle. "Don't tell me she's naked."
At the thought, I felt a slow blush creep up my neck. I was crazy about Griff. Really, I was. But it would take a lot of liquor and lust to make me get naked inthisplace.
Lust, I had plenty. But liquor? There wasn't enough in the world forthat.
Outside, Griff replied, "Oh, fuck off."
I couldn't help but smile. He sounded annoyed and just a little protective. He was sweet that way, even if he was far too paranoid when it came to the shop.
Ryder laughed like it was no big deal. "Why areyouin a mood? You should be happy."
"And why's that?"
"Because Iknowyou didn't come home last night."
My breath caught.Home? Meaning here?
Griff asked, "What home?"
