Page 8 of How to Kiss a Mountain Man

I study her, intrigued. “And how do you suggest that happens?”

She tilts her head, considering. “We’ll go out together. When people see that you’re my friend, they’ll have to question what they think they know.”

“Or they’ll start thinking the worst of you too.” The thought of damaging her reputation twists my gut.

Her smile hits me in the chest. “I’ll take that risk.”

Something changes between us in that moment. Something…opens up. The protectiveness I feel toward her collides with how much I want her, creating an intensity that sears hot through me. She’s close enough that I can see every little pretty detail of her eyes and smell the faint lavender scent of her shampoo. Her gaze drops to my mouth for just a moment.

“Griffin…” she says, my name on her lips clearly an invitation.

I lean forward a little. She doesn’t move away. Her breathing slows, and mine does too. The space between us pulses with possibility. Her eyes are soft, wanting, and I know without a doubt that she feels it too, this pull that’s been growing between us since the moment we first laid eyes on each other.

But just as I’m about to kiss her, we’re interrupted by an urgent knock at the door.

4

JORDANA

Two seconds ago, Griffin was close enough that I could breathe in the alluring woodsy scent of him, my whole body alive with anticipation. Two seconds ago, nothing existed beyond his storm-gray eyes and the way they fixed on my lips.

But the knock on my door has just yanked us back to reality, instantly killing the moment.

“Jordana!” Esther’s voice calls out from outside my apartment. “Are you ready?”

“Shit,” I murmur, forcing myself to step back. Griffin’s intense gaze sends electricity through my body, and I hate that I have to pull away from him. “I’m so sorry. Give me a second.”

I smooth my hair as I rush over to answer the door. Esther bursts in wearing a glittery top, ready for a night out.

Her smile vanishes as she looks at my clothes. “Did you forget?”

Shit. It’s girls’ night out. “Sorry, I still need to get ready. I can meet you there.”

“No worries, I can wait while you—” Her words cut off when she spots Griffin. Her body goes rigid. “Um. Am I interrupting?”

My cheeks heat. “Yeah, I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

Esther’s nails dig into my arm as she pulls me closer. “Are you in danger?” she whispers. “Do you need help?”

“No, I’m not in danger, Esther.” I pull my arm free. “I’ll meet you at the bar, okay?”

She examines my face for a long moment before stepping back. “Okay. See you soon.”

I close the door behind her and return to Griffin. His expression has closed off, all the earlier warmth gone.

“I’m so sorry,” I tell him. “I completely forgot about tonight.”

“There’s nothing to apologize for. I should head out anyway.” His voice is careful, measured.

Walking him to the door feels like the longest ten steps of my life. The kiss-that-wasn’t hangs between us, unfinished. Part of me thinks Esther’s interruption might be for the best—kissing Griffin would complicate things. But I can’t forget how right it felt when he leaned in.

“So we’ll plan something soon?” I ask as he steps into the hallway.

One corner of his mouth lifts. “For Project Win-Over-the-Town?”

“Exactly.” Relief eases through me at his smile.

“Sure.”

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