Page 128 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“Why were your flowers in his backyard?” Trent, who’d gone to Briar with me, frowned. He and Jesse had become fast friends.
“My sister is Spencer Thanukos’ mate.” I shrugged.
“Must be nice. You’re going to work for him after graduation?” Jesse’s voice grew bitter as he shot me a heated look.
“Are you thinking of working for him and not teaching? You’d make such a great professor.” Dr. Winters frowned a little.
“I was thinking of finding a cute hockey player and starting a cake pop business.” While I wanted to continue my research, I wasn’t sure I wanted to be a professor anymore. Not that I actually wanted to start a cake pop business.
Jesse sneered. “Do you even know anything about hockey?”
“Who me?” I gave him an innocent look. While I was no expert, I’d learned a few things.
Saphira snorted. She knew all about Grif and the guys. It was her favorite thing to talk about over lunch or coffee.
My phone lit up with a text from Grif.
Grif
Still in the lab?
Me
Eating takeout with my cohort in our break room.
The topic changed to everyone’s plans for break. Dr. Winters gave us presents, then we played some silly games.
“Excuse me, I’m lost. I’m looking for Verity Thorne and the plant department?” a familiar male voice said as we were finishing dessert.
Jesse looked at the doorway, looked at me, and frowned. “I thought you said you weren’t jumping the line. Yet here you are with someone else looking to see your greenhouse and fund your flowers.”
Grif wore a suit and filled the doorway to the hall. He blinked. “Is that what you call it? Sorry, I was a music major. But...” His look and tone got suggestive as his gaze met mine. “If you show me your greenhouse, I will absolutely fund your flowers.”
I shot him a smoldering look back. “Tiger, you can fund my flowers anytime.”
Saphira chuckled. “That’s some pickup line.”
Grif came over to me and gave me a kiss.
“You’re Grif Graf. You fundresearch?” Trent breathed. “I’d love to show you what I’m doing with phytoplankton.”
“He’s kidding. That’s herboyfriend.” Saphira rolled her eyes.
“You’re dating a hockey player?” Jesse looked completely baffled.
“Yes, this is my boyfriend. Grif, I’m so happy to see you. Weren’t you on your way to Quebec?” It was a pleasant surprise. I’d been so busy that I hadn’t spent much time with him since the night I’d gone to his game with AJ.
“Quebec decided to have a snowstorm. Game’s canceled. So, I came to see my favorite girl.” He put his arms around me. “Are you nearly done? Though I can wait.”
“We’re done. It’s nice to meet you. I’m Dr. Winters,” Dr. Winters said.
Grif grinned. “It’s nice to meet you, too.”
I made introductions and cleaned up my stuff.
“You’re all alone?” I looked around, expecting Dean and Jonas to be here, too.
“I snuck off to see you because I wanted you all to myself. Can I see your greenhouse?” His eyebrows waggled.
