Page 39 of Barefoot Dreams
Ninasunshine:Griffin honey! It was so nice to have you join our morning work out today.
Youknowyouwantme:You’re welcome, Mom. I think we deserve a treat for that hard work.
Tinyhousebigheart:He was definitely heavier than he looked. You’re lucky I was carrying his arms.
Toughtolove:Must be all that lick-able muscle.
Zizilovingsoul:Fanny he’s already spoken for.
PheonixG:By whom, mother?
Zizilovingsoul:Oh, honey, you rejoined the chat, did you now?
PheonixG:Is there something you’d like to tell me?
Zizilovingsoul:Does anyone know how to delete someone from here?
PheonixG:Mom!?
Zizilovingsoul:Oh, I found it.
*PheonixG was deleted from the chat.
8
Julie
“Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life.” – Leo Buscaglia
“Morning, little J.”
I almost thought last night was a dream. Almost convinced myself of it until his low, gravelly voice scattered over my skin like the gentlest of caresses.
Oh sweet daisies, I’m about to hyperventilate like I did last night as soon as he walked out the door. And then I spent the rest of the night staring it my ceiling, remembering every detail of the evening, how perfect it was, how easy it was to talk to him, to just be with him.
Thatkiss…I can still feel it. It was the briefest of touches, yet it singed like a wildfire. Yes, I’m certain it was a dream. Because a reality as such didn’t exist.
Griffin couldn’t want to kiss me, right? He never saw me like that.
But he’s here. He’s walking through my coffee shop with purpose, his lips curved into a secret smile. The one that says yes, I did kiss you and I want to do it again, and I feel my little naive heart take flight.
What is happening and what do I do with it all?
“Good morning.” I put my chaotic thoughts on pause when Griffin’s at the counter already, his clean, woodsy scent wrapping around my space. “I see lavender is still working its magic on you?”
Griffin chuckles, his brown eyes dancing. “Must be, seeing as I’m about to go talk to Frank Lovehill.”
“Sweet daisies!” I gasp, clapping my hands. “Are you really? Oh, that’s amazing, Griff!” And I truly mean that.
I think Griffin would make an excellent firefighter. He always took on his role as protector seriously growing up.
“Yeah.” He lifts his hand to rub the back of his neck but drops it, poking the inside of his cheek when he sees my smile. “I hate you for pointing it out, you know.” He pouts, and I chuckle.
“How about I make you a special drink for your special day and you can hate me a little less?” I offer.
“That’s the least you can do,” Griffin jokes, his smile giving him away, and I once again love the comfortable banter we seem to fall into every time we see each other.
“Fine, I’ll throw in a croissant as well.”
