Page 81 of The Nerd & the Ex-Con

“Scottie.”

I snapped my head up. “Yes?”

“That guy I saw you with at the restaurant…” He swallowed, then placed his hands on my desk and leaned forward. “You must know I like you, right? I’ve asked you out so many times.”

“Umm.” I pushed my chair back. “Well, you asked me to go out with a group of people.”

“Because I didn’t want to be embarrassed if you turned me down.”

I cradled the bouquet in my arms. “I’m sorry, Lucas. I-I’m kind of with someone else.”

“That guy?” He scoffed. “You can’t be serious about him.”

“Why not?”

“Look at you!” He waved an arm in my direction. “You’re so…and he’s the opposite.”

I slid my glasses up my nose. “It’s not appropriate for you to comment on my b-b-boyfriend’s appearance.” Dear god, had I just claimed Griff for a boyfriend? Was I being too presumptuous?

“Well, the flowers, the card, that’s not exactly professional either, is it?”

I straightened my spine. “You’re right, and I’ll talk to him about it when I see my boyfriend later.”

So we’re saying it all the time now?

Lucas gave a sharp nod and walked away from my desk. I let out a deep sigh. Had anyone else read the card besides him?

Oh, who cared? My boyfriend had sent me flowers, and yes, I would say it all the time now. What Griff and I were doing was more than just sleeping together.

The flowers proved it.

22

GRIFF

Icouldn’t tell the last time I was this excited, and it all had to do with the young man who’d just walked out of the bank, talking to a coworker. Scottie hadn’t seen me yet, which gave me enough time to stare at him in awe.

Who would have thought someone so little would make such a big impact on my life? Not just since I’d been out of prison either. While I was in the slammer, each letter he’d mailed me was like a little love sent at a time when I needed it most.

Being locked up for almost two decades was tougher than I’d let on. Some days I’d thought for sure I would go crazy. Had he stopped sending those letters, I might not even have survived.

My heart thudded painfully, realizing how important Scottie was to me. I wanted to deserve him. I wasn’t sure I did. He was sunshine and sweet. I was the opposite, but he made me laugh and my days a little brighter.

And the sex was fucking A plus. With a few extra pluses.

He laughed and raised his head. When he saw me, he widened his eyes. I waved, and he took a step in my direction, but then pulled back and said something to his coworker.

A couple of guys came up behind them. The one on the right frowned when he saw me, his expression turning sullen. Did this fool know me? His face didn’t look familiar, and he was too young to be someone I’d fucked with before my time in prison.

As he passed Scottie, he brushed Scottie’s arm. Scottie jerked back, the animation on his face dimming. He looked uncomfortable as his coworker strode to a shiny BMW my bank account could never afford.

What the hell had that exchange been about?

Scottie finished his conversation and hurried toward me, moving rather quickly for a guy with such small feet. He was back to smiling like he’d forgotten the prick who’d been giving me the stink eye.

“Hey, you didn’t tell me you’d be here.” Scottie came to a stop a couple of feet in front of me. I didn’t like the distance, so I took his arm and reeled him in. He pretended reluctance but couldn’t contain his smile.

“I can’t get a kiss hello?” I asked.

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