A fool.
A foolish fuck buddy?
I should be saluting.Sucker of the century, reporting for duty.
I heard myself say, "Aren't you even gonna deny it?"
His voice was cold as he replied, "Deny what?"
"That your dad is David Montgomery?" I forced a sad little laugh. "You know, the billionaire hedge fund manager." I feigned confusion. "And hey…isn't he from Wall Street?"
Griff stiffened. "Just becauseheis, that doesn't mean I am."
"But you were named after him…at least in a roundabout way. I mean…your first name is hislastname, right?"
"In theory."
What kind of answer was that?"Regardless, that has to meansomething."
"Yeah, well…you'd have to ask my mom, not me."
Ask his mom.The thought hurt to consider. As I searched his face for any sign of sincerity, my thoughts drifted to that one magical night, when Griff had hinted that he would like me to meet her.
That wouldn't be happening now.
I should be glad.
For all I knew, his mom was some rich society type who'd look down her nose at someone like me. And no, I didn't know for sure, because after maybe fifteen minutes of basic research, I'd rushed over here to get the full story straight from him.
But now, he said nothing. Here on the balcony, he was just standing there, silent and stone-faced, like if he only waited long enough, I'd vanish on my own.
It was an obvious hint, so why wasn't I taking it?
I glanced toward the interior of the apartment – if you could call it that. The place was so dumpy, it had to be a joke.Rich men and their games – I'd never figure them out.
Then again, it's not like I made a habit of rubbing elbows with billionaires. And forgetotherbody parts.
All of Griff's parts were exceptionally fine – and not only those below the waist. How many nights had I slept curled up in his muscular arms, with my cheek pressed to his chiseled chest? How many mornings had I woken to the sensation of his lips on my forehead, nuzzling me out of my dreams?
At the thought of everything we'd shared, my heart literally ached.
This was the worst of all worlds, because somehow this one stupendous guy had managed to shatter my trust and ruin me for all other men.
And he'd done it in less than a month.
Softly, I asked, "So…you've got nothing to say?"
"Why would I?" he said. "It seems to me, you've got it all figured out."
"Oh come on! That's not fair, and you know it."
"No kidding," he said, likeIwas the one who had deceivedhim.
I stared, almost too stunned to speak. "So, that's how you're gonna play it?"
He didn't answer, at least not with words. He just stood there, with his arms crossed and jaw set, like his best defense was to say nothing at all.
It was the silence of someone looking to avoid an ugly scene.But didn't he get it?Ugly scenes weren't my style. They neverhadbeen. Even with Devon, it's not like I'd pitched a fit.
