Page 20 of Griffin

She’s not here for you, man.

I shake my head and trudge up the steps, tugging open the door.

I’m hit with the delicious smell of steaks grilling, and my stomach twists with hunger.

Melody is on a stool beside Ivy in the kitchen, placing strawberries carefully into a bowl.

“That’s it. Now you have strawberries in yogurt.” Ivy claps her hands, and Melody grins, plunging her finger into the bowl.

“I like it.”

Ivy brushes her hair away and smiles at me, flushing beneath my gaze.

“Hey, how was your day?” She asks, reaching into the fridge. She pulls out a beer and hands it to me.

I’m stunned.

The house is clean, there’s steak on the grill, Melody is relaxed and happy, and I’m being handed a beer by the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

“Uh, thanks … ” I rub the back of my sweaty neck and lean down to kiss Melody.

“Eww, Daddy, you’re sticky.” Melody pulls away from me and makes a face, and I can’t help but laugh at her.

Little madame.

My gaze moves to Ivy, who’s turning the steaks over. There’s a massive bowl of salad and pitchers of lemon water.

“You didn’t have to do all of this,” I say, holding her gaze.

Ivy looks up at me, and I’m floored by her beauty. She’s tiny too, and all I want to do is wrap my arms around her and inhale her sweet scent.

She has no idea what it’s like coming home to this.

“Stop, Griffin. We had fun, didn’t we, Melody?”

Melody is too busy shoving strawberries into her mouth to care.

“Hey, you’ll spoil your dinner.” Ivy chuckles, opening a saucepan to reveal a small boiled chicken breast.

Just the way Melody likes it.

“Okay, do you want to dish your salad up?” Ivy rests her hands on her hips, and I have to force my eyes to my daughter.

Melody nods and picks out the pieces of salad she likes from the large bowl.

It’s mainly carrots.

“Are you sure you don’t want anything else?” Ivy tilts her head, dishing the boiled chicken onto the plate. “I’ve got corn.”

Melody shakes her head and points at her plate.

“That, then yogurt.”

“Deal.” Ivy grins and glances at me. “Do you want to grab a shower? We’ve got time.”

Nodding, I place my beer on the table and head to the shower.

I try not to think of her, but it’s hard.

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