Chapter 6 #2
“We’ll talk about this more later,” she’d said before taking off for the airport, but I could still hear her shutting me down the other day.
And I wasn’t sure I could take that again. I already felt an ache.
“How am I?” I asked as I finished filling one of her big glass apothecary jars with gummy bears.
Henry and I’d raided Costco’s candy section, joking that tonight’s spread should be so sweet that someone craved an actual salad after leaving (or feared multiple cavities).
“Mom, how are you? Isn’t it almost two a.m. over there? ”
She laughed lightly. “We had a late dinner before meeting friends for drinks. Time slipped away from us.”
I made a face, wondering if I’d missed something. “Friends?”
“Marc and Stacy Gallant. They’re American, but his French relatives own one of our favorite vineyards here.”
“Mmm,” I said. Had she ever mentioned these people before?
“Audrey, your father and I went to their daughter’s wedding last year. They’re very good friends of ours.”
“I believe you.” I almost expected her to add that the Gallants would most definitely be invited to my wedding someday. “I’m sorry I forgot their last name.”
My mom yawned.
I tried to capitalize on it.
“Well, I don’t want to keep you up,” I said as the doorbell rang. Dammit! Henry must’ve buzzed someone through the gate. “I’m glad you’re—”
“Audrey Barbour!” Kenzie’s voice echoed in the foyer. She sounded like she’d pregamed somewhere. “Why didn’t you tell me you had a pool? I would’ve brought a suit!”
I closed my eyes and cursed Kenzie right before my mom said, without even a hint of exhaustion: “Who was that?”
My stomach twisted; there was no point in lying. “Kenzie Collins from work,” I told her. “I’m having some people over tonight.”
A pause, and then: “There’s nothing wrong with having some friends over, honey. Thank you for telling me. Just use your best judgment, all right?”
“Of course,” I told her, and managed to hang up before feeling guilty about the army of Jell-O shots ready and waiting in her beautifully organized fridge.
Maybe I knew a thing or two about rebellion after all.
Kenzie found me in the kitchen, Mia at her side. They both wore white tops with ripped jeans. “Griff didn’t text you to bring a suit?” I asked, because he’d alerted me to have a swimsuit on hand… even though this was my house.
The girls shook their heads.
“Don’t worry.” I waved a hand, picturing my basket of bikinis upstairs. “I’ve got you covered.”
“Unless skinny-dipping is more your style,” Ellie joked, walking in from the front hall.
I had given her the gate code earlier, and she must’ve let herself in.
She and a couple of her theater friends joined us at the island, each person equipped with either a tote or backpack.
I watched Ellie assess the candy-filled jars and glass cake stands showing off homemade Rice Krispies treats, cupcakes, and pretzel M we were talking skin to skin.
My pulse pounded when he clamped his hands down on my knees, and I didn’t dare look at Henry.
Griff had been especially touchy-feely tonight, a step above his typical casual coquetry.
He had to know that something was sparking between Henry and me, right?
He’d seen us together on Main Street last night, and Mia had most likely told Jared or Kenzie about our bookstore flirt fest, which meant someone had potentially told Griff.
If so, he must’ve known it was nothing serious, because while Griff was Griff, he was also a good guy. He wouldn’t cross any lines.
As Griff rose like King Triton out of the sea, I wondered how long things with Henry would go on, and how much they’d need to escalate. Until Griff developed feelings for me? Until Ellie realized what a mistake she’d made and broke up with Chase? Until we graduated?
We really needed to discuss our fauxmance’s fine print.
I rolled my shoulders back, pushing away my thoughts. Griff and the rest of my team were counting on me. Henry and I could—and would—figure it out later.
Right now, I wanted to focus on the feel of Griff’s flexed… everything.
And the game, of course. I wanted to make a comeback.
Once Bridget served the ball again, I watched it fly through the air. “Got it!” Mia shouted, which somehow signaled Griff to make a dash for it.