Page 64 of Siren in the Rain

The large Mediterranean-style villa with white stucco walls and a red clay-tiled roof is nestled on a hillside overlooking the sea, and I take a moment to admire the view. Despite its enormous size, the villa—which is surrounded by lush plants and colorful flowers—has a bright and welcoming vibe that puts me at ease.

Passing through an open archway, we enter a beautiful, tiled courtyard with a bubbling fountain in its center. It’s a tranquil setting that further calms something deep inside me.

My grandmother leads us through the courtyard to the guest room where we’ll be staying. “I’m sure you’ll both be very comfortable here,” Coral says before giving Griffin a wink.

I arch an eyebrow at her as if to say, I know what you’re doing, but she simply gives me a mysterious smirk.

The space is airy and bright, and decorated in a soothing oceanic theme with blues and whites and the occasional accent of green. A huge bed dominates the center of the room, but I ignore it and move to the French doors that open to a balcony looking out over the ocean.

Griffin throws himself on said bed and rolls around with joyful abandon, making his adorable “Awoo” of happiness.

The rest of us dissolve into laughter while Griffin flashes us a goofy grin that exposes his canines and puts his adorable dimple on display.

I’m already convinced coming here was a good idea.

Chapter

Fifteen

Griff: What did the wave say to the surfer?

Ruby: I love you, Griff, but you’ve got to get some new material.

Griff: Have a swell time! Hahahahaha!

Harper: Where’s Dallas with his kitty—I mean witty—joke follow-up?

Dallas: Which celebrity do cats love?

Ruby: Ooh! Me, me! Drumroll please… Meowly Cyrus!

Griff: That’s freaking awesome!

Harper: I’m not as up on the recent celebrities as I ought to be. How about Cindy Clawford?

Shae: Um, what about Santa Claws?

Griff: Right on, Shae! That was awesome.

Ruby: It’s all over now that you’ve been sucked into the pun—I mean fun, Shae.

Cal: Catti B!

Harper: Dolly Purrton?

Cal: Damn. You totally beat me. Wait! Florence and the Meowchine!

Ruby: I hate to admit it, but that’s pretty good.

Dallas: I’ve got you all beat. They love… RuPaw!

—MEOW Squad Group Text Thread

Griffin

While we tour the impressive villa where Grandma Coral and Aunt Anemone live, I work to keep the majority of my focus on my mate. I’m sure I’ll have other opportunities to come back here someday—and even if I don’t, my primary goal on this trip is to support Shae in any way he needs.

I’m relieved to see that the tension usually radiating from him has disappeared since we arrived and every line of his body is loose and relaxed.

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