Page 95 of Griffin

He has a point, though, and it’s not something I’ve not given thought to either.

My dad’s reaction was a pissed-off one — and as much as I didn’t want to entertain it, I had to consider whether it was because my dad had feelings for my best friend.

My stomach churns at the thought of my best friend with my dad, but that’s the shoe on the other foot, isn’t it?

I bet Dad doesn’t like that his best friend and I … well.

But Shelby?

I rack my brains, and Griffin watches me silently, his hand still on my thigh.

“She’s flirted with him for as long as I can remember,” I say finally, meeting his gaze. “But he’s never been interested. I even tried to set him up with Shelby’s mom.”

Griffin hums in response, focusing on me as I continue talking.

“If Dad has feelings for Shelby, wouldn’t he have acted on them?”

Griffin shrugs.

“He’s a private man, you know that.”

I nod.

“But his reaction … you assumed he was mad because he’d found out about us, but he thought you’d had a one-night stand with Shelby.”

Griffin tilts his head.

“It’s a weird one, for sure. But he told me I was too old for Shelby.”

I do a double take as he laughs.

“He did? I didn’t think he cared about stuff like that. He’s always said you can’t help who you love.”

I place my coffee on the side and crawl over to Griffin, kissing him softly as he groans.

“You can’t help who you love, and I love you.” His lips send chaos through my nerves as they chase my pulse down my neck. “Did you hear me, Ivy? I fucking love you.”

I’m about to respond when the door swings open, revealing a yawning Melody.

“Daddy, can we have ice cream for breakfast?”

Griffin grins, glancing at me before he nods.

“Why not, huh? I’ll drop you at yours?” Griffin directs the latter part at me, and I nod, jumping to my feet.

“Ice cream sounds good, but what about my pancakes?” I pout as Melody pauses.

“Okay, your pancakes and then ice cream?” Her cinnamon-brown eyes are so sweet I almost melt.

“Wonderful!” I take her hand as we head downstairs, looking over at Griffin before we go.

“I love you too.”

When Griffin drops me home an hour later, his gaze is filled with concern.

“I’ll be fine. He’s my dad.”

I smile at him, glancing toward my home. The house looks the same, but the way my stomach twists with nerves is foreign to me.

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