Page 41 of Mocha Kisses

Vera grins as she moves over to my side and I have to keep from flinching when she throws an arm around my shoulders. “Everyone knows, Griffin. You two have never been good at keeping secrets. That’s why you’re back, though. To be with your sweetheart, aren’t you?” I huff a nervous laugh, still confused.

Griffin saves me from answering as he slightly tugs on my hand and pulls me into his chest, no doubt only further perpetuating the idea that we’re getting married. “Vera, I’m not sure who told you but-”

“No need to hide it. We all know. We’re very happy about it! And right before your next book comes out? That’ll be a wonderful present for your fans! Rome, were you one of the groomsmen?” The woman clasps her hands together, her entire face overcome by the excitement of this prospect. Six years ago, I wanted nothing more than Griffin to be my entire world.

After meeting Rome and Nova, I’m not sure I can choose. And I hope that Griffin won’t make me.

His arm around my waist tightens a little as he presses a kiss to my forehead to reassure me. “Vera, it’s been very nice to see you. Truly. I’ll make sure I stop into the trinket shop to look around.”

Rome adds his own two cents, placing his hands on Griffin’s shoulders like they’re just the best of friends and not men who are both after my heart. The truth? They already have it. “Vera, I’ll drop off some of those new rolls as well.” He throws her a panty-dropping smile and I wonder why he’s never given me the same one until I realize he’s trying to placate her. Vera looks between the three of us and sees something that cements the rumor before waving to us and continuing on down the street.

I stare after her even as Rome slumps over Griffin’s back, his arms dangling over his shoulders. “Well, that sucks. What? She can’t go around kissing me or Nova in the streets if she’s supposedly married to you,” he whines.

My brows furrow as I twist around to look at them both. They look so fucking adorable like that. Has Rome ever thought of Griffin as more of a friend?Not the time for that.“That’s what you’re worried about? I want to know who the fuck is saying I’m getting married to Griffin!”

Griffin tilts his head to the side, those gray eyes flickering with a chaos of emotions. “Would it be so bad to be married to me, Luna?” My gaze narrows at him and he knows that isn’t what I meant. “I didn’t start the rumor. I barely leave the fucking office. Rome and Nova do 90% of the grocery shopping and whatever that doesn’t cover, Amazon does.”

I’m not sure how I didn’t notice before that Griffin rarely leaves the house. He walked me back to Ms. Elrod’s the other night and he’s out here with me now but those are the only times I’ve seen him outside since I returned to Spring Haven. Another thought occurs to me. “Wait? Aren’t you dating Nova? How has no one mentioned that?”

This time Rome is the one that answers the question, one of his hands coming up to mess with Griffin’s hair. I don’t miss the way Griffin leans into the touch, neither of them noticing how they respond to each other. “We’re pretty private, Luna. Spring Haven has a habit of talking. Only Nova’s grandmother knew the real score. Everyone else thinks we’re just roommates, getting free rent since his grandmother owns a few of the buildings. She still does even if she doesn’t live in Spring Haven anymore.”

Of course, his grandmother owns land in Spring Haven.

“Right. Of course. Let me just grab a few pieces of clothing and then we can go home. I don’t want to be out here anymore.” I’m usually running from suited goons for money that I haven’t paid back. And now I’m running from rumors that don’t make any sense. Griffin and Rome follow me silently as I step into a cute clothing store, my gaze locking on the clearance rack at the back. I know my size and anything maxi will fit well enough for me to swipe it up and get back home as soon as possible.

Just my luck that there’s three dresses with quiet patterns hanging low on the rack.

“Sir, those are for women.”

I twist around, my breath caught in my throat when I see Rome fingering one of the thongs on a nearby rack. Griffin is standing right beside him, their attention on the employee but clearly their thoughts on the lingerie and most definitely on me in them. Rome grins and nods, letting the fabric go. “I apologize. However, my friend here quite enjoys the nightlife so we came in here to find something that would fit.”

The employee’s eyes widen as she scrambles off to a different part of the store, leaving the three of us alone. Griffin is trying hard and failing to hide his laughter as I grab the dresses and then stomp over to them. “That was mean.”

Rome kisses the side of my head. “But worth it. Not gonna try these on?”

“You just want to see me naked.” After that impromptu session with Griffin after lunch and him telling me over and over again that he lovedallof me, I’m not as terrified of being naked around Rome. Or Nova.

“Can you blame me? All those fucking delicious curves.” He reaches down to adjust himself before pointing to the rack. “What’s your size?”

Oh, he’s serious about that?“I don’t wear lingerie.”

“Yes you do, Luna.” Griffin closes in on my side, his lips inches from my ear. “Purple is also Rome’s favorite color,” he purrs. I clamp my thighs together and clutch the dresses to my chest but both men laugh. Giving in, I eyeball the rack and tear off one of the panty sets that comes in a deep violet and black. The heat in their stares continue as I head for the counter, laying everything on the surface, eager to get home and hide from the world.

The same employee is ringing me up, her gaze darting over to Griffin who just shrugs, playing into the ‘nightlife’ joke. As she mumbles the total, completely embarrassed, both Griffin and Rome shove their card onto the counter before whispering rock, paper, scissors. Rome ‘wins’ and his resulting grin tells me that Griffin will make him pay for it later in some way. I focus on the clothing, saying a thank you with the bag pressed against my chest before dashing outside to the car. It doesn’t matter how fast I move though, their long legs catching up to me way too fast.

My phone buzzes in my pocket and I slip it out before hurriedly shoving it back in once I read the message.

Unknown sender

You don’t have money to be shopping with, girlie. Or should I ask the two with you for the remaining balance?

They’re here. Watching me. Watchingus.I don’t even know when they showed up but this was exactly what I didn’t want to happen.

Tears prick the edge of my eyes as I realize what harm I’ve brought back to Spring Haven. Not to mention that everyone now thinks I’m married to Griffin. Add in how easy it was watching Rome and Griffin together on the sidewalk and in that store. I want that. The comfort and assurance and love but I can’t have those things, can I? Nova asked me to trust him, to trustthembut the suited goons are already here. We’re out of time.

I gulp, reaching down to pull the car handle to the back. The door doesn’t open so I pull again, Rome softly turning me around to face him.

God, how many times do I have to break down before they see this isn’t worth it?

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