Page 71 of Fighting the Forbidden

“Sure you did.” Griff rolls his eyes.

“Can we still do movie night?” I ask. “Something scary?”

“Yeah.” Remy slips his phone out of his pocket and flicks the screen on. “Whatever you want.”

“Nothing with clowns, though.” Griff elbows Remy as he walks past him. “We got our own Bozo right here.”

“Har. Har.” Remy swats at Griff but doesn’t take his eyes off his phone.

Laughing, I carry my stuff into the kitchen and set everything on the counter.

“Thanks,” I whisper to Griff as he sets his plate and utensils next to mine.

“Not a problem.” He touches my shoulder. “Dinner was so good. Thank you.”

A happy warmth spreads from my chest to my cheeks. “You’re welcome. It’s nice to have both of you home for a change.”

Griff starts rinsing the plates. “Yeah, I’m shocked he left the bar early.”

I open the dishwasher and accept a rinsed plate from Griff.

“What do you want to watch?” Griff asks.

“Well, I guess you ruled out It or any other clown movies.”

He chuckles. “I’m surprised you even want to watch one, since you spook so easily.” It’s said with concern, not cruelty, so I don’t bristle.

I stop and straighten, a damp dish still in my hands. “But you’re here to protect me.” Then reality crashes through my fantasies. I can’t exactly toss a blanket over our laps and snuggle against Griff, using his strong body as a shield every time something on screen scares me. Not with Remy sitting right next to us.

“You could talk to him tonight,” I suggest in a low voice. “He’s relaxed and apparently too full to move, so he can’t chase you down.”

My attempt at a joke falls flat on its face.

“We’re all having a good night.” He flips the faucet off and grabs a paper towel to dry his hands. “I hate to ruin it.”

I swallow hard over the painful lump in my throat. Once it’s out in the open, Remy will have to deal with us as a couple. Unless Griff has other reasons for not wanting to say anything…

What if he’s embarrassed to admit his feelings for me?

“Sure. Whatever.” I shrug and flip the dishwasher shut. It closes with a hard, metallic bang, and I turn away.

“Molly.” Griff’s fingers brush my shoulders, but I duck to the side.

“I’m going to make popcorn.” Yup, all the popcorn-making supplies are on the other side of the kitchen. Away from Griff.

“What’s taking so long, guys?” Remy sets a serving bowl and his plate on the counter with a clatter.

“Oh, shoot. I forgot those.” I turn and vaguely gesture to the dishes. “I didn’t start the washer yet.”

“What are you two up to in here?” Remy casually bumps Griff away from the sink to rinse his stuff.

“Nothing,” I answer in a flat tone. “I’m making popcorn for the movie.”

“You sure you don’t have some homework or something you need to do?” Remy asks me.

I frown at him. “I could work on a few things, but nothing pressing.”

He finishes loading the dishwasher and slaps Griff’s chest. “Come help me pick a movie.”

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