Page 11 of Secrets at Dawn
Small but mighty. Huh. “Does he want a job?”
Riley nodded. “Funny you should ask. That’s why he’s coming by. He needs the money, and you need the help.”
“Does he have experience in construction?” Griffin didn’t have time to train anyone, and he didn’t want the liability if someone got hurt because they didn’t know what they were doing.
“I have no idea, but he’s really smart. Like super science-y smart. And he’s kind of turning into my best friend, so I want you to meet him even if you don’t want to hire him. Because you’re like my other best friend. So yeah, you should know each other.” Riley fidgeted as if he’d just confessed something. He’d never called Griffin his best friend before, but they’d always been pretty close, even when he lived in another state. Since he’d come home to stay, they’d grown even closer. Far closer than most brothers were.
Griffin drew Riley in for a hug. “I’d definitely like to meet your friend. Maybe we’ll hit it off, too.”
Riley winced. “Not to date. I don’t want to lose him as a friend if it doesn’t work out.”
Griffin chuckled. “I meant as a friend, silly. But I can respect that. And the last thing I need is for someone else in the family to set me up again. Marric is already a matchmaker. I don’t need you playing at that, too.”
“That’s right. How was your date? Must have been kind of bad if you don’t want to be set up again.” Riley watched as Griffin undid the straps from around the countertop. He practically vibrated with excitement as Griffin unwrapped it.
“The guy wasn’t for me. End of.” Griffin threw back the top cover and then the bottom one.
Riley only had eyes for the countertop. Griffin didn’t even have to ask what Riley thought. He could see the love in his eyes. It was similar to how he looked at Cass.
He gasped. “Oh my god, Griff. It’s so perfect.”
Griffin sighed in relief. “I’m glad you like it.” He’d never meant those words more in his life, and he definitely never cared more about a person’s happiness than he did his brother’s. Riley deserved all the happiness and contentment in the world. He hadn’t had much before moving to Fortune Falls.
“Like it? I love it! I can’t even tell you how much.” He ran his finger down the purpleheart wood. “How did you get this to be purple?”
Griffin smiled. “The wood comes this way. It’s called purpleheart. It grows in Central and South America.”
“That sounds expensive and exotic. Like rainforest chic.” Riley frowned. He was a bit of a tightwad, even with Griffin’s money.
“I got it from a friend of mine. He was cleaning out his father’s workshop and found it. So I actually didn’t pay a thing for it.”
Riley met his gaze. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
Griffin smiled. “You’re welcome.”
A knock on the glass stole Griffin’s attention.
Riley turned and smiled before heading to the door.
Through the glass, Griffin saw the most beautiful person he’d ever seen in his life. The man on the other side of the glass had dark eyes and blond hair, which he styled away from his forehead. Riley’s description of small but mighty was accurate. He was on the shorter side, even by human standards, but he was muscular and compact.
Griffin felt his right hand heat. He pulled his work glove off and saw his mark glowing on the palm of his hand. He put his work glove back on and swallowed the lump in his throat.
Riley’s best friend was Griffin’s mate.
What the hell should Griffin do?
One thing he probably shouldn’t do was tell Riley. At least not right away. He’d have to get to know Toby first. And then maybe they could come up with a game plan together.
He wore sunglasses, which seemed odd because of the overcast day. Maybe he’d known who Griffin was to him before he’d come to the job site. But that made little sense. They’d never met.
Riley introduced them. As soon as Griffin shook Toby’s hand, he knew Toby knew Griffin was his mate.
When Griffin started to mention it, Toby shook his head. Griffin changed the subject. “Riley tells me you’re looking for work.”
“Maybe.” Toby stepped closer to Griffin and seemed to sniff the air between them.
“Well, I could use the help if you have the experience.”
