Was that even a thing?
I made a sound of annoyance.Enough.With an effort, I returned my attention to the rental forms that we'd collected so far.
There were lots of them – a great sign for the bottom line. Today was shaping up to be a terrific success. Business was good, Griff was being helpful, and I'd had cookies for breakfast. So, why did I feel so dissatisfied?
The front door jingled, and I looked up just in time to see Franny Mulberry breeze in, all floral scarf and oversized sunglasses.
She didn't even say hello. She just sailed up to the front counter and proceeded to do exactly what I'd been doing until just a few moments ago.Yes. I meant she was staring at Griff.
She blew out a long, exaggerated breath. "You didn't tell me you hired eye-candy."
I didn'thaveto tell her. She already knew. I'd learned this from Tessa – not that it had been a surprise. As usual, Franny knew everything. But it seemed rude to say so, so all I said was, "Yeah, well…he'll be gone before you know it."
With a laugh, Franny asked, "Says who?"
ButIwasn't laughing. "Sayshim."
Franny gave a dismissive wave of her hand. "Nah, I don't think so."
"I'm serious," I said. "It was our agreement from the get-go."
"Agreements change all the time." She whipped off her sunglasses and gave her eyebrows a little waggle. "I see the way he looks at you."
Now I did laugh – except for some baffling reason, it came out weird, like I was trying too hard to be jolly. "Oh, come on. You haven't even seen us together."
"Says who?" she said for the second time today.
"Says me." I let out a nervous chuckle. "And I haven't seen you in days."
She gave me a sly look. "Yeah, but that doesn't mean I haven't seenyou."
I opened my mouth to protest, but then thought better of it. Probably, she was right – well, about seeing me, that is. As for the rest of it, she was dead wrong. I pointed vaguely toward Griff. "He's just an employee, nothing more."
"Employee, my ass." She gave a derisive snort. "You're not even paying him."
"I am, too." But then under my breath, I added, "Sort of."
"What? The sandwiches?" She shook her head. "Honey…nobody works for sandwiches unless they want something extra on the side." She lowered her voice. "And I don't mean mayo."
My stomach twisted. Even if hedidwant something extra, he didn't want it from me.
When I said nothing in reply, she once again turned her eyes toward the window, where Griff was finishing with the seats.
Unable to resist, I looked, too, taking in his broad shoulders, the way his shirt clung to his back, and how his biceps flexed as he worked. The day was unseasonably warm, and there were no long sleeves to hide his gloriously defined muscles – or his bad-ass tattoo.
I heard myself sigh. A guy like that could make even a bike helmet look sexy – except he'd declined my offer of a helmet, telling me that he didn't plan on wearing one.
In that way, we were the same. I preferred the wind in my hair and full visibility as I took in my surroundings – except today, my visibility was full of Griff.
Franny said, "If I had a view like that, I'd be charging admission."
My eyes twitched at the thought. All day, I'd been watching him way too often – and for longer than I should. At this rate, I should bepayingadmission, not charging it.
Franny wasn't even done. "And that backside…Darleensaidit was nice, but you know how she exaggerates. Not this time though." Franny gave a girlish giggle. "Imagine getting your hands onthat."
That did it. "Franny!"
She turned to face me. "What?"
