Page 132 of The Rookie

The day before we’re supposed to leave, we’re in bed—Griffin half-asleep, his arm draped over my waist, his lips pressed to my bare shoulder after an afternoon siesta.

My phone buzzes on the nightstand.

I grab it, still blurry with sleep, unlocking it without thinking.

And then—I see it.

CASSIE: Hey! So... SURPRISE! There was a last-second cheap flight and I booked it!! I thought I’d swing down for your last night in Mexico!! I’m just about to arrive. Sending this from the plane WiFi. I’ll take a taxi out to the hotel—LOVE YOU!! Hope Griffin isn’t being too annoying! Can we hit some rooftop bars tonight??

My stomach plummets.

My heart pounds.

I read it twice.

Three times.

Griffin shifts behind me, groggy.

"What is it?"

I turn slowly, my phone still in my hand.

His eyes sharpen when he sees my face.

I swallow.

"Cassie’s on a flight here. She lands soon."

He blinks. “She’s coming…tonight?”

“Yeah.”

“Whoa.”

Then—his entire body stiffens.

The room goes silent.

I exhale. "So… is this it?"

Griffin just stares at me.

Because we both know. But in case we don’t, I say it out loud.

“We are not hooking up with Cassie around.”

It’s not even a question.

He rubs a hand down his face, his jaw tightening. "Right. I know.”

Silence.

A thick, loaded silence.

Then—he sits up suddenly, running a hand through his hair.

"Alright. We need to clean this place up."

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