Page 77 of The Curveball

Ugh. That mushy sensation garbles up with a new rush of emotion. There isn’t an endgame with Griffin Marks. At least, I don’t want there to be. Not anymore. Not ever.

A big feeling I can’t describe as anything but peace and a touch of adrenaline overtakes the doubts. Fear evaporates into a mist, still there, still hovering nearby, but this desire for more, for days and years with the people here today is stronger. It’s solid and unmovable.

I glance around for Griffin.

Touching him has the power to both settle the rush and bring it on. I knew if I gave into this man, I’d tumble headfirst into something intoxicating. I knew if I cracked my chest a bit, he’d fit inside like my heart was designed to beat for him.

Skye and Marti leave me to go clean up dessert with Marti’s dad. I insist on helping, but everyone in this place is determined to let me sit on my backside all night and not lift a finger.

“Psst. Wren. Psst.”

I scoff and face my mom. “Yes, Mother?”

My mom smiles and wraps her arm around my shoulders. “This has been a good day. He’s a delight to the soul and the eyes.”

“Mom.”

“What? Is there anything wrong with a mother wanting her daughter to fall for an attractive man?”

I nibble on the inside of my cheek. “He is pretty easy on the eyes.”

“It’s good to see you this way, Wrennie,” she says. “I’ve been worried about you.”

“Why?”

My mom gives me an exasperated look. “Come on. Guess.”

“I know,” I whisper. “I was starting to think I was too defective to ever want more with someone else.”

“Hey.” She smacks the top of my thigh with the back of her hand. “You are not defective, Wren Fox. It’s fine to be cautious. I was worried you might never give someone a chance to get close to you, but I’m glad you did. It’s fast but—”

“Not really.” I chuckle at the irony. “It wasn’t really that fast.”

“Honey, you only got in that accident a couple weeks ago.”

“I’ve . . .” I’m really going to admit this out loud. To another person. To myself. “I’ve had feelings for Griffin for a while. But it freaked me out, Mom. Tell me that’s not weird. To be afraid of feeling something for a guy.”

She considers the confession for a few breaths, then takes my hand. “Was it fear of the feeling, or for who the feeling was for? You’ve always blacklisted guys like him. Those with money, good looks. Maybe the sort of guys who remind you of people you’ve observed most of your life.”

“For good reason.” Darren interrupts and grips my shoulder. “But I’m with Aunt Lucy on this one, he’s a good egg.”

“Uh-oh, D,” My mom says, “don’t let anyone hear you talking nice about a guy your sister is dating.”

“I know.” He takes a seat next to my mom and grunts when little Sawyer slams into his stomach. My sister-in-law Emma is wrangling Trevor at the same time. It’s almost as chaotic as Griffin’s family, and I love it.

I smile, but mention of the man has me scanning the yard for him.

Where is he? I’m keenly aware too much time has passed since I’ve touched him. Oh, how quickly life has changed. I avoided human contact outside of family like the plague, now I crave no one’s like I crave Griffin’s.

I catch sight of Giana stepping out of the bakery. She has a smile, but it’s strained. I wore a burdened smile for most of my adolescence. They’re easy to spot when you know what you’re looking for.

A tight knot chokes the squishy bliss in the back of my throat when she leans over to Parker and whispers in his ear. But when Parker, Dax, and Ryder all stand as one unit and head into the bakery, my heart sinks.

Something is wrong.

“Giana,” my mom says, ushering Griffin’s mom to us. “This was lovely. I can’t thank you enough for putting this together. I’m not sure how you do it.”

Giana pastes the same strained grin on her face and leans one hand on the back of my chair. “Oh, it’s what we do. Cook and eat. I’m sure you get it raising two boys in your house, but feeding Griffin was like feeding a naval fleet sometimes.”

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