Page 28 of Griffin

“You are, but I think your daddy meantme.”

My eyes meet his, and they shine with amusement.

“Not my business, either way, Ivy. Come on, little miss, let’s wave goodbye to Ivy.”

I spin on my heel, heading to my car with Griffin and Melody watching me from the doorway.

“Don’t forget my dance lesson!” Melody calls after me, her voice filling with fear.

I turn back, shaking my head.

“I cross my heart. I’ll be there; then, if you want, we’ll get ice cream.”

Melody’s eyes light up, and Griffin smiles.

“If that’s ok with Daddy,” I add, biting my lip.

I overstepped the mark. Griffin may not want me there, imposing on his time with his daughter.

“No problem,” Griffin says, kissing Melody on the head. “I love ice cream.”

Relief courses through me, and I vow not to muscle in on their time together again. Griffin paid me today, which was more than I made in the store in two weeks.

Thank god I’d left the store. I’mmuchhappier now.

I try not to stare in my rearview at Griffin as I drive away, forcing a broad smile on my face until they disappear.

Something about them snuggling up on the sofa and watching TV together gives me a pang of homesickness, which is weird. But I’ve spent so much time there recently; it feels like my second home.

Daddy is working late tonight, so I have the house to myself.

I spend an hour in the bath, shaving all visible hair from my body before washing my hair. I blow dry it into big curls and slip on the tightest pair of ripped shorts I own, teaming them with a tank top and jewelry. I fan myself as I apply my makeup in the heat. It is too hot for anything more, so I slip on my sandals and head to the waiting cab outside.

Bill’s is pretty busy tonight, but Shelby and I manage to find a spot beside the bar. The bartender slides our drinks down to us whenever we give him the nod, and we get stupidly drunk on tequila shots and cocktails.

“I can’t believe you’re a nanny!” Shelby gasps, shaking her head, her midnight hair shimmering as she does. “For hot Griffin too.”

My core clenches at the mention of his name, but I wave a hand dismissively.

“Too old.”

Shelby snorts, jabbing her finger across the table at me. “Fuck off! I’d ride him at ninety.”

I snort with laughter, lifting my cocktail into the air.

“To ninety-year-old dicks.”

“Seriously though, you look much happier.” Shelby grins at me over the rim of her glass.

I nod, unable to keep the smile from my face.

“I am; Melody is so cute.”

Shelby makes a face. “That poor girl. Losing her momma so young. How is she coping?”

“She’s good, believe it or not. I think she seems happy, but sometimes she’ll ask for her mommy and get a little sad … but you know, that’s to be expected.”

Melody clings to me whenever I’m with her, and I can’t help but indulge her. It’s almost like we have a bond through our losses, even though we were virtually strangers not so long back.

---