Page 10 of Dirty Whispers

A slow, sultry grin spreads across his gorgeous face. "How about conducting an experiment?" His arm slips around me and gives me a little squeeze. "Jonah started dating a girl just last week, I think. If we start publicly dating, would that be an interesting contrast? See whether people talk more about the Wolfe medic, or the Dirty boy?"

"Wow, that's a really good idea." I begin scribbling notes like crazy, then stop, realizing that my left ring finger is firmly between my teeth as I gnaw at it. "But that means that we'd, you know, have to make a spectacle of ourselves, so everyone sees us."

Griffin shrugs. "Is that a problem for you? It's fine with me." His breath is warm against my temple as he murmurs, "In case it's not completely obvious, let me give you and your study some direct data. I really like you, Harper. I want to see you as much as possible."

I can feel my cheeks burning as my mouth stretches into a gigantic smile. "I appreciate the clarity. So… Are you saying we should finish our coffee and stroll up and down the boulevard arm in arm to make a point?"

"For science. Yes."

We finish our coffee and go out to the street, walking along with me holding Griffin's arm. Then he switches so that we're holding hands, beaming the entire time. As we look in the shop windows and admire the planters of flowers, I realize that Griffin really is showing me off. He's super proud to be seen with me.

This big hunk of mechanic seems to like me for me. Well, the version of me where I'm trying not to let him see quite how bookish and boring I am.

Griffin's head jerks up as a big black pickup cruises by slowly. It's as if he knows by the sound of the engine who is approaching. I guess as a mechanic type, he would.

The older man slows the truck to a crawl beside us and rolls down his window, giving us a wave. "Griffin. How've you been?"

"Excellent, thank you, sir."

The man gives me a smile, then winks at Griffin and drives off. I notice him giving a polite wave to almost everyone on the street, but Griffin is the only one he stopped to greet.

"Who is that?"

For the first time, a serious note colors Griffin's voice. "That's Carver Wolfe. Jonah's dad."

"I take it he's a bigwig in town?"

"Yeah. Most of the locals act like he's a second mayor."

We wander back to Griffin's car, stopping to say hello to his neighbors or customers several times.

"If you want to test the local gossip network," he says, opening the door for me, "you girls will have to stake out the coffee shop tomorrow morning. That's where the seniors all gather for their morning chat session."

"Great. Thank you."

He leans in, drifting his lips along the side of my throat. "It's still quite early. Shall I take the scenic route to your place?"

A shiver runs through me as I wonder where we'll end up. "Sure."

What's going on? Just a week ago I was sure I wanted to take that amazing apartment in Kingsville. My biggest decision was whether to get a full-time job immediately, or just find something part-time so I could take a few more courses.

Here in Old Hemlock Valley, everything seems much simpler. I want Griffin. He wants me. And tomorrow my job is going to be figuring out whether or not we are the talk of the town.

Except everything has happened so fast that I haven't had a chance to ask myself… Am I ready for my entire life to be turned upside-down?

6

GRIFFIN

Over the course of the evening, Harper and I chat about everything and nothing and then everything again. On the one hand, it feels like we've known each other a lot longer than twenty-seven hours. On the other, I'm excited to learn much more about her.

We drive along one of the winding back roads, then stop at a lookout point that gives an incredible view of one of the mountain peaks on one side, and the valley on the other. The moon is nearly full, and its ghostly glow seems to touch every tree for miles.

I help Harper out of the car, and even though she has a light coat on, I grab my jacket and wrap it around her shoulders. "It's not a very glamorous cape, but you'll soon learn that it's breezy here at night."

She smiles up at me sweetly. I left the headlights on, so there's just enough of a glow to catch the smile in her eyes. "I would've thought all of these trees would block the wind. And, you know, the mountain itself."

"You’d think so, but the wind whips around the angles in unpredictable patterns. So it's always a good idea to dress in layers up here, just in case."

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