Page 55 of Griffin

I’d only ever kissed Finlay once, and he’d tried everything to take it further, but I’d been too scared of my dad shooting him to do anything about it.

Now I’m old enough to make my own decisions.

“We’ll see.”

Someone like Finlay would be fun to be with, and he wouldn’t want a relationship.

Maybe he’ll take my mind off Griffin, too.

I snooze in the sunshine until the slam of my dad’s truck door wakes me.

Shelby inhales sharply and sits up, rearranging her hair.

She’s stunning, but she’s got zero hope with my dad. She’s my age, so it rules her out. He’s said it many times before, but will Shelby give up?

Nope.

The door slams and deep voices fill the house.

I stiffen, staring at Shelby, who frowns at me.

“What’s wrong?” Shelby whispers as the back door opens.

“Look at these two. Not a care in the world.” Dad cracks open a can of soda.

“I know,” Griffin says from beside him, and my heart flips.

Griffin is here.

“I’m gonna grill some meat, sound good?” Dad says, walking into my sunlight. I shield my eyes, sitting up to see Dad’s gaze flicker over to Shelby.

“You’re welcome to stay too, Shelby?”

Shelby is bright red, and it isn’t from the sun.

“Sure, Kevin, thanks. Do you need any help?” Shelby sounds sultry as fuck, and Dad grins knowingly.

“Sure.”

Shelby jumps up, barely looking in my direction as she follows Dad into the house.

I swallow, wondering what Griffin is going to do.

He moves to Shelby’s chair and sits on it, so he’s facing me.

I’m conscious of his gaze on my sweaty body, but I don’t care.

Let him stare.

“Ivy.”

Why does he say my name like that?

“We need to talk, honey.”

I roll my head toward him, aware his gaze keeps tracing down my body.

“So talk.”

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