Page 44 of Griffin

“Look, Griffin —”

“There you are!”

We jump apart when we turn to see Kevin hanging out of the door of his truck.

He grins at us, frowning when he catches me rubbing my neck guilty.

“I’m starving. Have you guys eaten? I’m thinking of ordering in.”

“Griffin took me for dinner,” Ivy says, smiling at Kevin, who raises his brow at me.

“Where was my invite?”

I snort. “You didn’t spend the day painting Melody’s room.”

Kevin looks impressed.

“You did that, Ivy?”

Ivy nods, pushing her hands into her pockets.

“We’re gonna grab some beers. You in?” I ask, swallowing hard.

Kevin shakes his head.

“If I drink before I eat, I’ll pass out. Don’t get too drunk, you two.” He eyes Ivy. “Don’t be home too late.”

Ivy surprises the fuck out of me then.

“We’ve got more painting to do tomorrow, so I might crash on the sofa.”

Kevin shrugs, nodding at me.

“Alright. See you.”

He trusts me with Ivy. He didn’t even flinch when she said she may stay here.

His truck disappears in a cloud of dust, and Ivy turns to me.

“So, let’s have that beer.”

She smirks at me and walks forward, and I shake my head in disbelief.

She’s so fucking gorgeous I can’t handle it.

Don’t get drunk, Griffin.

15

IVY

“That tastessogood.”

The beer soothes my heated body, and I’m not sure if it’s from the way Griffin looked at me outside earlier or the stupid ass heatwave that’s killing me off.

Griffin nods in agreement, and I cross my legs. We’re sitting outside on two comfy chairs Griffin dragged out of the shed, and the air is finally cooling. It’s still humid, though, but it’s a welcome relief after the heat today.

“I’m sorry if I pissed you off back at the restaurant,” Griffin says, his gaze fixing on something in the distance. “I can’t think why, but I know I did.”

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