I watched in stunned amazement as Chadwick Kensington the Third took off down Main Street like he'd just won the Tour de France and the lottery all in the same day.
I smiled at the sight. He was riding Shark Bike like someone who'd mistaken the bicycle for a stallion in a cologne commercial. Forget the motor. The way it looked, his enthusiasm was rocket fuel enough.
The whole thing felt like a springtime miracle.
I mean,Ithought the bike was fun – sort of – but Chad had totally rejected it until Mister Wall Street had worked some serious magic. Even more surreal, my rescuer was still here, standing by my side.
I liked it more than I should have. But I couldn't help it. Suddenly I didn't feel so alone, and even though the moment would surely pass, the small reprieve felt like a giant boulder lifting off my shoulders.
Still dazed, I turned to look at him. He was watching Chad's departure like someone who'd just handed a toddler a lit sparkler and was waiting to see if the porch caught fire.
His profile was all hard lines and perfect angles – strong jaw, high cheekbones, and just enough stubble to make a girl's mind go fuzzy at the edges. He looked like someone who could fix your brakes and shatter your heart all in the same afternoon.
Maybe it was the morning light, but suddenly he didn't look like someone who belonged on Wall Street at all.
I wasn't sure where he usually belonged, but he looked exceptionally fine right here on Main Street, and my heart warmed – whether with gratitude or something a lot more dangerous.
I reached out to touch his sleeve. "Hey, thanks for that. I owe you."
He turned to look, and our eyes locked. "Nah. We're even."
"How do you figure?"
"I owedyouan apology. That's why I'm here." He held up a hand. "Hang on." He paused for half a beat before saying, "Sorry I was an ass yesterday." He grinned. "Nowwe're even."
At his grin, my stomach gave a funny little flip, and I let out a laugh. "Actually, I think I got the better end of the deal." I held out my hand. "I'm Maisie, by the way."
He reached out and took my proffered hand in his. "Griff."
His hands were strong and warm in the best possible way, and I fought a crazy urge to hang on for longer than was decent.
What was wrong with me, anyway?
I let go and cleared my throat. "So, Griff. Do you always pose as someone's employee? Or was today special?"
"Call it good timing." He glanced around. "So you're on your own today?"
Not just today.The way it looked, I would be on my own for days, possibly weeks if I couldn't find a replacement for Trevor. Still, I tried for a casual shrug. "You could say that."
"What happened? Someone call in sick?"
I hesitated. This was the part where I was supposed to smile and say,Oh, it's fine. Just a busy day. Nothing I can't handle.
But the words wouldn't come. Instead, the truth tumbled out like it had a mind of its own. "Actually, that proverbial 'someone' quit." I winced. "Just yesterday, if you want the truth."
His expression shifted, showing concern. "Rough timing."
And now I felt slightly pathetic. This wasn't his problem, and I had no intention of making it so – or forcing him to act as my unpaid therapist. In the breeziest tone I could muster, I said, "It'll be fine."
He took a long look around, his gaze sharpening like he didn't miss a thing. "So you've got someone else?"
I couldn't bring myself to lie. "Um…no actually."
And just like that, the worried look was back. "They weren't youronlyemployee?"
With a self-conscious laugh, I replied, "Trust me, you don't wanna hear this."
"Trustmethat I do."
