Page 58 of Tangled Kisses
His gaze flicks away. “Yeah. Heading out of town for a few days.”
“Is everything okay?” I’m praying—begging—that it’s a coincidence. That maybe he has a family emergency. Something.Anything.
But when he finally meets my eyes, I know.
I know where he’s going, and what he’ll do once he arrives.
There is no retirement for Griffin Topete.
Turns out my sister’s a liar—well-intentioned, maybe, but still a liar.
And Sabine? Sabine is forever a bitch.
“It’s a weekend away,” he says. “A business trip.”
Not sure why he’s glossing over it, because I know exactly what kind of business Griffin conducts.
I spent the afternoon baking Griffin’s favorite cookies, pulling on a sundress, curling my hair, dressing like a woman who hoped to be kissed. And for a few stupid seconds, I thought it might happen.
Just like in the movies.
Instead, I’m standing here, looking every bit the fool while the man I can’t stop thinking about gets ready to leave to spend the weekend with someone who’s paying for him.
God, I’m an idiot.
And I can’t be mad, because he isn’t doing anything wrong. This is his job. I knew that from the first day.
I’m the one who read more into it. I should’ve known better. Once again, stupidity trumps common sense.
I back up a step, hoping every emotion doesn’t show on my face. “Well. Have fun. Be safe.”
I turn and hurry onto the path, desperate to escape.
“Reese, wait.”
I stop, fists curling at my sides, holding myself together as I pivot toward him. “What?”
“Do you want to come in and keep me company? Help me pick the right tie? Have a cookie?”
Is he seriously asking me to help him select an outfit that he’ll be fucked out of later?
I screw my eyes shut and swallow—hard. “Sorry, I’m no good at that sort of thing.”
“Are you sure?”
Of nothing, Griffin. Not of you. Not of this. Not of whatever game I thought we were playing.
But I nod, holding my composure in check. “See you later.”
“I’ll be back in a few days. We’ll do something together.”
God, he’s trying so hard to be my friend. Now at least I understand the no-kissing clause the other night.
I force a smile, lifting my hand in a feeble wave. “Sure.”
Can I please go now? Return to my room and bawl my eyes out?
“If you need me, call me, okay? For any reason.”
