Page 11 of What If I See You

“Good. Sleep well. And if you need anything, I’m just down the hall.”

I watch him walk out of my room but stop him before he gets out the door. “Griffin?”

He turns. “Yeah?”

“Thank you. For everything.”

He gives me one more panty melting smile that if today weren’t such an emotional day, I’d be swooning over. “It’s my pleasure, Layken. Good night.”

Pretty sure you’ve got that all wrong.

The pleasure is all mine.

CHAPTER THREE

GRIFFIN

Shit, I like this girl.

From working with her a few times through the hospital I already knew she was dedicated to her job. She handles crowds of rich entitled people with ease but always with the intent of raising as much money for the hospital, and indirectly, the patients, as possible. She was good at what she was tasked to do and always fun to work with. But last night I learned that she’s naturally adorable in my pajama pants, her smile can light up a room, and she’s someone who doesn’t only see me as a celebrity hockey player.

To her, as far as I can tell, I’m just a guy. A friend of a friend which makes me her friend too because that’s the way she rolls.

And from just spending a few waking hours with her last night and again this morning I can’t seem to get her out of my mind.

Nor do I want to.

I don’t think much about hanging out with women I’m not close to for anything other than a quick fuck, so this is an oddity for me.

And I don’t hate it.

“Okay what about this. A super fan from an opposing team comes to a hockey game on his own, because why the hell wouldn’t you come to a game and support your team, and he gets in line to buy an all-beef hotdog. You know, one of those gargantuan things they sell at concessions?”

Her lips turn up into a smile even though I can tell she’s trying not to think I’m full of shit. “Oookay…”

“Hear me out. And the girl behind the counter is all like, ‘Here’s your meat stick, sir.’ And then it slips from her hands when she’s passing it to the guy because let’s be honest, wieners are slippery little suckers, and so the toppings get all over him and she gets all flustered and embarrassed. But he finds it endearing and cute and now he’s a little obsessed with knowing her. So, he buys season tickets to the opposing team’s games just so he can keep coming back to their arena and he gets in her line every single time just to be able to talk to her.”

“Okay…that’s actually kind of cute in a weird, twisted kind of way.”

I tap the side of my head. “See? I told you I’m full of ideas.”

“Don’t flatter him, Layken,” Ledger tells her from his seat across the aisle. “He’ll become obsessed and he’ll never leave you alone again.”

“What?” I scoff, pinching my brows. “I’m not the one who’s obsessed.” I gesture my thumb toward Layken. “This girl insisted I sit here with her and practically begged me to give her book ideas. It’s not me, man.”

Layken laughs and teasingly punches my upper arm. “I did no such thing. You’re the one who made me pinky swear.”

“Oooh, he made you pinky swear?” Harrison asks, leaning forward in his seat to see her.

“Yeah. Why.” Her eyes widen. “Is that bad? Is it like, a thing for him?”

Harrison laughs. “Totally a thing for him. Yeah. You’re committed now. Just so you know.”

“It’s fine. She’s obsessed with me anyway,” I tease. “It’s cute.”

Her jaw drops. “What the hell are you talking about?”

I shrug. “I mean most girls don’t go all out the way you did though with that whole losing your job routine and then pouring water all over yourself so I’d give you my clothes.” I point to her. “You definitely got me there. That was a good one.”

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