Tammy pointed toward Griff. "Because he's standing right there, next to a girl who's worth a hundred of you."
Next to me, Griff said, "More like a million."
Tammy called out, "Damn straight!"
Sierra gawked. I blinked. Griff's hand found mine, anchoring me with a tender squeeze.
Suddenly I felt warm all over – not only from the sentiment, but from the fact that everyone was staring, especially Sierra, who looked utterly horrified, like she'd just sent an accidental nudie to her dad.
Into the silence, Devon muttered, "I wouldn't say amillion."
Sierra whirled to face him. "What?"
Devon shrugged. "I'm just saying…a million seems alittlehigh."
She glowered at him. "Just a little?"
When Devon replied with only another shrug, Sierra threw up her hands. "And what? A hundred isn't?"
Devon's gaze drifted to me, and his voice grew wistful. "I dunno…maybe itisa million."
As Sierra sputtered, I opened my mouth, unsure what to say. But in the end, it was Griff who stole the show, pulling me close as he told Devon, "Your loss, buddy." And then, he turned his warm gaze on me. With a smile, he added, "Andmygain."
And then he kissed me – right there in front of his mom, in front of my ex-boyfriend, in front of Sierra, in front of Trevor, and even in front of Chad, who burst through the door and hollered out, "Slither Time!"
We all stopped to look. But it was Trevor who collected himself first, asking, "So you want Viper Bike?"
Chad grinned. "Hell, yeah, I want the Viper!" But then his grin faded, and his gaze traveled from face-to-face. "Wait a minute…you're not doing that key-party thing again, are you?"
Sierra gave a little huff. "Says the guy whoneveranswers my email."
"Why would I?" Chad asked. "You're like…a total nobody."
Tammy called out, "You tell her, Snake Man!"
Chad's grin was back. He eyed the bike beside her. "So you're taking out the Disco, huh?" He gave a slow, approving nod. "Nice sparkles."
Tammy grinned back. "I know, right?"
Sierra grabbed Devon's arm. "You know what? I'm too good for this place."
Devon replied, "You meanwe'retoo good."
"Whatever." Sierra flounced toward the door, dragging Devon along behind her. He didn't protest, but hedidturn to give me one lingering look before jingling out the door as Tammy called out, "Don't let the door hit you on the ass!"
As they left, my gaze traveled to the front window, where I spotted Franny and her gaggle of friends staring through the glass. All of them were grinning.
I couldn't help it. I grinned back.What a day.
And later that night, after the shop was closed and the streets grew empty, it got even better.
83
From Local to Grand
Griff
Maisie was laughing in my arms. "Can I confess something?"
