She perked up. "Really?"
"Yup." He reached into the front pocket of his Hawaiian shirt and pulled a soggy business card. He handed it over and said with a little swagger, "A million views a month."
She smiled like this was the best news she'd had all day. "Do you cover weddings?"
He looked thoughtful. "I haven't yet…"
She leaned closer. "But you could."
"I dunno," he said. "I guess it depends on the couple." He looked back to me and said, "About Shark Bike, just put it on my tab, alright?"
Technically, we didn't run tabs. But I still had all of his information from earlier, so I said, "Sure thing. I'll wheel it around."
Chad grinned. "Excellent." He turned back to Sierra and said, "Sorry, I've gotta roll."
Her face fell. "But I haven't told you about our wedding."
"Tell me in email," he said. "The info's on the card."
She brightened. "Oh. Yeah. I'll do that, totally." She looked back to Devon, and her expression soured. "Are we leaving or what?"
Wordlessly, Devon scurried to her side. A moment later, they were heading out the door.
It was so ridiculous, I had to laugh. But when I looked to Griff, he wasn't even smiling. He was eyeing the front window, as if waiting for Devon to reverse direction and come back.
Happily, he didn't. Instead, my annoying ex faded into the rain, dragged along by his bride-to-be.
Still, I had a sinking feeling this wasn't over.
Judging from Griff's expression, he was thinking the same. And he didnotlook happy. I moved around the counter to stand by his side.
For a guy who didn't say much, Griff was giving me the distinct impression that he wasn't just watching for Devon. He was watchingoutfor me.
Call me crazy, but I sort of liked it.
I liked it even more when he reached for my hand and gave it a lingering squeeze. Whether he was playing a role or reaching out for real, I liked the feel of his touch far too much to pull away.
Instead, I squeezed back, loving the feel of his hand and the quiet thrill it sent through me. With him so close, I felt reckless and safe all at once, like free-falling with a parachute I trusted.
He was strong and steady, and his fingers were still damp from the rain. But they were warm and welcoming, and I gave a happy little shiver.
At that moment, I could've stood there forever, watching the falling rain and feeling Griff's fingers wrapped around mine like that's where they belonged.
And who knows? Maybe Griff felt it, too, because he turned and gave me a look so sweetly intense, it went straight into my soul, making my lips part with the promise of a kiss.
When his gaze dipped to my lips, I lifted my face even as he lowered his.
But I never got that kiss – not because I didn't want it, but because Chad took that moment to call out, "Hey, if you're gonna make out, can I get my ride first?"
Oh, crap.
Chad.I'd forgotten all about him.
Mortified, I pulled back my hand and stammered, "Uh, yeah. Definitely." With my face in flames, I hustled toward him. "And just so you know, we weren't gonna kiss or anything. I mean…Griff just works here, that's all."
Did I believe it?
At this point, I didn't know what to believe. But the next time I looked Griff's way, that look was gone, making me wonder if I'd imagined it all along.