Page 76 of Griffin

Christina’s cheeks flush as she bites her lip.

“You’re on your own, of course.” Christina holds up the wine. “Can I come in?”

I begrudgingly shuffle back so she can breeze past me with an air of sickly floral scents and hairspray.

“Is your daughter asleep?”

“Yeah,” I say, watching as she places the wine on the counter. “You didn’t have to come here.”

Christina turns slowly, her smile frozen in place.

“The thing is, Griff, you owe me a drink.”

Fucking hell, she hasn’t forgotten.

“Fine, I’ll get the glasses, but I can’t have a late one.”

Christina beams.

“Of course. Do you have any ice?”

I grab the glasses, shaking my head.

“No, sorry.”

She saw Ivy in town.

“Was Ivy okay?” I ask, focusing on corking the wine. The weight of Christina’s stare makes me conscious, and I yank out the cork with little effort.

“She was with that boy. What’s his name?” Christina takes a glass from me with a warm smile. “The Bentley boy.”

I try not to react, but my lip curls in disgust, and there’s no disguising it.

“Finlay?”

Christina sips her wine, swaying her hips as she makes her way to the couch.

Visions of Ivy with Finlay fill my mind, torturing me with every image.

Does she have a thing for him?

Is she giving him that fucking smile, the one she gives me?

I knock back the glass of wine, slamming it onto the kitchen counter as I pour another. Christina watches me with her mouth open.

“Don’t take this the wrong way, Griff, but you look jealous.”

I scowl at her, forcing a chuckle.

“Jealous of what? Some criminal that has nothing to offer her other than a quick fuck?”

Christina’s eyes flicker, and realization sweeps over her face, making her rosy cheeks pale.

“My God, do you have a crush on your best friend’s kid?” Christina laughs nervously, gulping at her wine. “No wonder you’re not interested in me. I’m too old.”

I’m too vexed to answer her.

“Why don’t you talk to me about it?” Christina suggests, patting the chair beside her. “Maybe I can give you some advice?”

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