Page 124 of Finding Home
Not that many people explore outside the heart of town.
But it’s my private getaway in Bluestone Lakes.
“Wow,” Blair says from the passenger seat, lifting herself upto see the trail the headlights illuminate for us. “I had no idea this was all back here.”
“I made sure of that.”
We hit a few bumps that cause Reginald to startle in his seat, but when we finally reach the space, Blair’s eyes widen.
She’s seen this lake before.
Everyone has.
It’s the reason people visit.
I’m just showing her from a completely new viewpoint on the outskirts of town. The opposite side of the lake that tourists visit. I whip the truck around to back it up into the space I created, angling the truck to where I know the fireworks will go off.
After throwing the truck in park, I jump out, rounding the back of the truck and opening the bed hatch. I set up the array of blankets I loaded in, as well as pillows along the back.
“Is Griffin Barlow a romantic at heart?” I hear Blair ask from behind me.
I turn to face her, sitting back on my heels and sending her a knowing smile. One that tells herthis is all for you, sweetheart.’
“I wouldn’t call myself a romantic, but there’s this new girl in town?—”
“There’s a new girl in town?” she feigns shock, cutting me off. “Well, I must meet her. She and I would hit it off perfectly since I know what it’s like. I can probably show her around. Make sure she knows to stay off that one dead-end road that apparently has a ditch. Share what it’s like around here as a former new girl. Urge her to stay away from the angry cowboy who lives on Barlow Drive.”
I shake my head, standing before jumping off the back of the truck and coming to a stop in front of her. My hand comes up, cupping the side of her face, and she leans into my touch.
“You want the new girl to stay away from me, huh?”
She nods, unable to respond.
“Why’s that?”
She lifts a shoulder but doesn’t immediately say anything back. Her eyes fall closed as my thumb brushes the apple of her cheek. “Because I don’t want her seeing this side of you,” she finally says, barely above a whisper.
Bringing my other hand up, I hold her face as I tilt her head up, urging her to open her eyes and look at me. When she does, the world around me goes quiet. A feeling I’ll never get used to, because it happens every single time. A burning whiskey through my blood with just one look from her.
“There’s only one girl I want to see this side of me.”
Silence stretches between us at my admission.
It’s out there.
My heart is on the line, and it’s up to her to hold it and protect it or stomp it on the ground and put me in my grave.
I just hope it’s the first of the two.
CHAPTER 33
WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Blair
Griffin holds my face as if he never wants to let go.
My hands come up, delicately wrapping around his strong forearms, ensuring he doesn’t let go. Or maybe it’s because his admission makes me feel weak in the knees. Like, if he were to let go I would fall to the ground in a puddle at his feet.
