34. Griffin
GRIFFIN
“ G ood evening, guests, friends, and fellow patrons. On behalf of myself and the board for The Rescue Ranch, we’re so grateful for your presence.”
Ashton looks radiant on stage. She might not have ever wanted to be in the spotlight, but she deserves to be. I love seeing her shine.
She continues her speech seamlessly until a few minutes into it, her eyes catch on something at the back of the room. Her voice wobbles slightly. I mentally urge her to look at me. To focus. To continue.
But she’s frozen, mouth hanging ajar.
I can’t resist the temptation. I crane my neck to follow where her eyes have landed.
And there stands my dad with Ashton’s mom.
Crap.
Scarlet squeezes my bicep and whispers, “The stage is this way, Griff.”
I shut my eyes, regretting not having told Ashton about my dad and her mom.
It was stupid of me, really. I assumed the two would have fizzled out already, as fast as Dad moves through his relationships.
I never thought he’d bring her here. I didn’t even know he’d be here!
That’s my fault for underestimating my father and his desire to seek any opportunity he can to rub elbows with more potential clients.
Wren steps closer to Ashton, slipping an arm around her waist. “ We are so honored. I say this on behalf of all the board members: myself, Griffin Ford, Luke Carter, and Lynn Wilson. Thank you , Ashton, for allowing us to be a part of something so great.” She lifts her hands in the air and claps.
“Let’s hear it for Ashton and her vision for The Rescue Ranch! ”
The crowd cheers, and Ashton blushes a deep crimson, making me want to smother those fiery cheeks with kisses. The attention is enough to shake Ashton from her stupor, a smile creeping onto her face. I applaud even louder. So proud.
Wren gives Ashton a quick side hug. She nods her encouragement for Ashton to continue with a broad grin. Ashton steps back up to the microphone.
“Atta girl,” I whisper under my breath.
“Yes! And I’m so grateful to have the help of such a wonderful board with excellent ideas for the future. We anticipate amazing things for our animal community in the near future. And that’s all because of your generous donations. Thank you again for coming to support such a great cause.”
Wren leans back into the mic. “Now, drink up, and have a great time!” She strums her guitar with a little jingle.
The crowd cheers.
“It’s time to get your booties back out here and dance!” Wren plays an upbeat rhythm and her band chimes in. The throng of people hovering near the stage begins swaying to the music.
Ashton’s focus darts to the back of the room, then to me, before slipping off stage.
My steps immediately turn in her direction, but I’m held firm.
Scarlet rasps in my ear, “You can’t go after her. Not right now. Everyone is watching.”
“I have to. She needs me.”
I ease out of her grasp and navigate through the crowd of people on the dance floor to cross the room. A figure steps in my way.
“Well, look who it is, the two lovebirds.”
I clench my jaw, hoping Jaxon gives me an excuse to punch him just so I can get him out of my way faster. Scarlet steps up beside me.
“I don’t have time for you right now,” I grit out.
He chuckles. “Oh, don’t I know it. Must be hard balancing two women. Then again, I’d do it too if I didn’t have the talent to earn my roles.”
“That’s it.” I step forward, fist clenched, arm raised.
Scarlet holds my arm back. “Stop it. He’s not worth it.”
My blood roars in my veins, my body a thousand degrees in this tux.
Jaxon brushes the lapel of his jacket. “Then again, maybe it’s not the role you’re after. Maybe you’re after an heiress and the Blake fortune.”
I press into his space, inches from his nose. “Don’t you ever spew such garbage to me again. You know nothing about me. Or Ashton.”
Crap. I just confirmed his suspicion of who Ashton really is.
He smirks. “Ah, but apparently I do. Don’t worry, Griffin. The whole world will know soon enough.” He takes a champagne glass from a passing waiter and tosses it back, then walks away, laughing.
What did I just do?
I push through the masses, frenzied in my need to get to Ashton. To ease her worries. To explain everything. To get to her before Jaxon or her mom does.
I exit a side door that leads toward the hallway by the kitchen, where Ashton should appear from backstage, my pulse racing.
Scarlet grips my arm, halting me in the empty hallway. “Griffin, wait.”
I clench my jaw and spin to face her. “Scarlet, I don’t want to be a jerk, but everything can’t be centered around you all the time.”
Her head ticks back, eyes wide, like I slapped her.
“I didn’t mean that.”
“I think you did. Makes sense now. Is that all I was to you? A needy charity case?
“What? No. Why would you say that?”
“Gosh, Griffin. Couldn’t you see it? I didn’t just agree to the contract.
I made my dad create the contract, because I thought if we went on some actual dates, you’d start to care for me!
” She throws her hands up and lets them fall, clapping her bedazzled-clad thighs in a fitted sequin dress not at all fitting the regency style.
I blink, completely baffled.
Her face is flushed, and her eyes start to fill with tears. “Griffin, I love you.”
“Scar, you don’t mean that.”
She steps forward, her chin dipped, her eyes earnest. “I do.”
“No. You’re just confused. It’s because we’ve spent too long pretending.”
She reaches for my hand, her nails grazing my palm.
I yank it back like I’ve been burned.
She shudders at my brisk movement. She cradles her middle. “I do. I have been. I’ve been in love with you since our first season of Malibu Shores .”
“No,” I scoff.
“Yes. Why do you think our chemistry on-screen was so good? It’s because it was real. For me. You were just so busy pretending you couldn’t see it.”
“That’s part of the job, Scarlet.”
“Well, maybe I’m a terrible actress, because I didn’t fake it.”
“This doesn’t make any sense. You had a constant stream of boyfriends the whole time. You never cared about me.”
“It’s because I wanted you . I wanted you to notice me. To be jealous. To do something! I only dated around to get you out of my head.”
I tug on my collar, loosening my bowtie. This cannot be happening. Especially right now. Ashton’s going to come out any minute. Where is she? What if she’s hiding from me, refusing to face me?
“We can’t talk about this here. Not now.”
She grasps my forearm. “Then when? When can we?” She swallows. “Griffin, we’ve known each other for half our lives. You’ve been my television boyfriend for years. You can’t deny we have chemistry. We’re good together.”
I wipe my face. “Look, Scar, I already told you. We’re friends. That’s all.” I steady my eyes on hers. “Let’s just stick to the plan, okay?”
She huffs. “The plan ? Really? You haven’t been a part of ‘the plan’ in weeks. Since the second Ashton walked into your life, you haven’t even wanted to try to go on dates anymore.” Her voice wobbles. “You didn’t even give me—us—a real chance.”
“I told you at the party that I only wanted friendship. I?—”
“I know. It’s just . . .” She looks up at me, the tears leaking from her eyes. “Even friends hang out, Griffin. You didn’t even give me that.”
I’m stuck between wanting to comfort her and wanting to push her away. “I’m sorry, Scarlet. My heart belongs to someone else.”
A waiter bursts through the ballroom door carrying a tray. “Sorry. Excuse me.” He hurries past us and slips into the kitchen.
Scarlet looks away for a moment and swipes the rogue tears.
I really need this wrapped up so I can find Ashton before she faces her mom, or before Jaxon finds her. I’m nervous about what he has planned.