"Oh, really?" My tone grew snotty. "So you weren't manipulating my feelings for the result you wanted?"
His eyebrows furrowed. "What result is that?"
I gave him a smirk that he could take however he wanted.
Griff took a single step forward, only to pause as something sharp flickered across his face. Then, he said it. "If I just wanted a fuck-buddy, it wouldn't have been hard to find."
His words felt like a slap, and my arms dropped to my side. My mouth opened, but no sound came out.
His expression softened. "Maisie…"
"What?" I snapped.
"I wasn't talking aboutyou."His gaze locked on mine, raw and unflinching. "I meant you were the opposite."
Yeah, right.Call me a fool, but my voice grew pleading. "But if that's true, why would you lie about your dad?"
70
Sucker of the Century
Maisie
On the small balcony, my question hung between us like a final thread holding us together. As the nighttime breeze rustled my hair, I held my breath and waited.
Finally, Griff said, "My dad." He didn't even phrase it as a question. He just tossed it out like there was nothing left to say.
And yet, like a total idiot, I waited for more.A name. A sentence. Anything.But there was only silence along with the sensation of my heart sinking like a rock in water.
Why I waited, I had no idea. After all, I'd learned most of this on my own. The article had been short – just a few lines tucked beneath a photo I couldn't unsee.
Griff and his father.
They'd been sealing some ginormous business deal like it was nothing.
That wasn't all.They'd been smiling like a family Christmas card come to life. And that resemblance? It was more than uncanny. They had the same jawline, the same posture, the same cocky look that said,Yeah, we own the place.
I hadn't needed to read the fine print. Between the photo and a quick Web search that revealed Griff's home address, I'd seen more than enough. I'd even seen photos of his Chicago penthouse, vacant before Griff had moved in.
The price wasn't even listed, showing instead just a row of blocked-out numbers, like you needed special clearance to see the full amount.
I had no clearance, but I was willing to get creative. A second search revealed a few neighboring properties that were similar, if not quite as nice. The prices were so high, I had blushed at the irony.
To think, I'd invited this guy – a silver-spoon billionaire – to stay at my outdated little house, with its faded walls and creaky floors, not to mention the single bathroom with its leaky faucet and old countertop with that chip on the edge.
He must've died laughing.
But he wasn't laughing now.
And neither was I.
And yet, I still tried to look on the bright side.At least I wasn't just a fuck buddy.
Or so he'd said.
Goodie for me.
But hey, I was something even worse.
