Page 74 of Griffin

He leans on the table, his eyes holding mine captive as I shrug.

“It doesn’t matter.”

Silence.

Please go away.

Finlay frowns as Shelby slides into the seat opposite me, pushing a cocktail into my waiting hand.

“Who’s Ivy seeing?” Finlay asks Shelby, who mirrors his frown.

“No one, not that I know of.”

Finlay moves his gaze back to me.

“Let me make it up to you — the date.”

Shelby watches with fascination as I chew on my inner cheek, wondering whether it would be such a bad idea to go out with Finlay. But then images of Griffin fucking another woman — the waitress, for example — fill my mind, and I shake my head.

“No, I’m fine.”

Shelby raises her brows, stifling a giggle.

“Now I’m curious.”

I silence her with a look as Finlay sighs.

“You know, I would never have bailed on you if it wasn’t something serious. I’m sorry, beautiful.”

I nod, wondering when Finlay stopped being the guy that could make me weep at his beauty.

Since Griffin.

Someone calling his name distracts Finlay, and he gives me a lingering look before chuckling to himself.

“Lucky bastard, whoever he is.”

With that, he moves away, leaving Shelby staring at me in a way that only your best friend can.

“Well?”

I try to fill my mouth with the cocktail so I don’t have to answer, but she’s quicker than me, her fingers tugging the stem of the glass in her direction.

“Ivy.” Shelby holds my drink away, lifting her chin with defiance. “Whoareyou seeing?”

“I’m not seeing anyone.” I reach for my drink as she shakes her head, leaning forward.

“Liar.”

My cheeks flush beneath her gaze, but I snatch back my drink, downing it in two gulps.

I can’t tell her.

“It’s Griffin, isn’t it?” Shelby stares at me, her eyes dancing with excitement as I open and close my mouth like a fish.

Don’t admit it, don’t admit it, don’t admit it.

“Don’t be stupid,” I scoff, crossing my arms like it’s going to help me.

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