Page 7 of What If I See You

“Alright, I’ve got to ask.” Griffin smirks as he hands me another vodka cranberry. “Also, you might want to drink this one a little slower, I added a little more of the hard stuff.”

He winks but I roll my eyes teasingly and whisper, “Thank you, Daddy.”

The guys all laugh and Griffin’s cheeks pinken but he chuckles too as he takes a seat a few spots down while mumbling something about nobody ever calling him Daddy before.

“So anyway, your book…is it one of those porny types with all the sexy scenes?”

Corrigan giggles next to me and I can feel my face beginning to flush but I’m always ready for this question. People hear the word romance and automatically assume I write porn. “Is it erotic romance? No. Are there a couple sexy scenes in it? Of course.” I shrug. “I mean that’s part of romance, right? Girl meets boy. Boy kisses girl. Girl and boy fall in love. Girl and boy eventually sleep together, etcetera, etcetera. Those mushy moments are the ones romance readers live for. They live vicariously through the characters they read about. That’s part of the fun.”

“I see. And your story, is it about a hot sexy hockey player? Because if it is, I’ve got a few ideas on someone to model for your cover photo.” He wags his brows just as August Blackstone nudges him with his elbow.

“Yeah, me.”

Griffin rears back. “What? I don’t think so dipshit. If anyone is modeling for a cover, it’s me.” He turns back to me. “I mean, you know, if you want. My ass looks pretty good in photos.”

Ledger and Harrison laugh, shaking their heads, and Barrett says, “Ignore Ollenberg. He has no shame.”

“Not when it comes to my fine sculpted ass I don’t.”

“Well, it is about a hockey player actually.” I tilt my head sympathetically. “But I’ve already got a cover ready to go.”

“Damn.”

“I’ll definitely keep you in mind for future projects though.”

“Deal.” He smiles and turns to Barrett. “See? That’s called making professional connections. If my hockey career ever comes to a sad end, I’ll have ass modeling I can fall back on.”

“Uh huh.” Barrett nods. “You’re so unbelievably wise, Griffin.”

“I know man. Don’t worry. I’ll teach you everything I know.”

My phone dings in my purse at the same time that Corrigan’s dings on the coffee table in front of her. She glances at me, her brows drawing in, and then grabs her phone as I stand to get mine.

“What in the fucking Friday the thirteenth is this bullshit?” Corrigan mumbles as I pull my phone from my purse.

“What is it?” I ask before I glance at the text waiting for me. “You have got to be fucking kidding me.”

My shoulders fall and there’s a tightness in my ribs.

This cannot be happening.

Not today.

What else could possibly go wrong?

Maybe I shouldn’t ask that.

“What’s going on?” Bodhi questions.

Corrigan lifts her hand in a half shrug. “It’s our apartment building.”

Ella gasps. “Oh no. Was there a fire or something?”

“Water main break,” I say out loud, reading the same text Corrigan received. “Right outside our building that will have our water shut off for at least a week. Encouraging everyone to find alternative accommodations until further notice.”

“Oh shit,” Harrison says, leaning forward and placing his elbows on his knees. “That sucks.”

Yeah it does.

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