41. Griffin
GRIFFIN
L uke and I step out of the limo and onto the red carpet.
“Thanks, Winston.”
He tips his hat. “Anytime, sir. Hope you have a wonderful evening.”
“Thank you.”
Luke stands in front of me and straightens my tie. “Looking good, my man.” He pats my cheek. “Even if you look like a penguin.”
“Thanks, brother,” I chuckle. “You, too.”
Luke looks down at his nearly identical tux and buttons his jacket. “Only for you would I be willing to wear this uncomfortable get-up.” He smirks.
Since I fired my father as my agent, I had an extra ticket to the premiere.
After the interview aired, I held onto a small measure of hope that Ashton would call me and come as my official date, but it’s been crickets.
I hoped the interview would show her how serious I was about her and our relationship.
But I guess it wasn’t enough.
Unless her feelings just weren’t as strong as mine?
I could feel bad about my idiotic timing telling her I loved her at the gala, but I’d have regretted not telling her more. Which leads me to believe my career really is too much for her. And I’m not worth the hassle. I’m asking a lot for her to be sucked back into such a lifestyle.
Luke straightens, inhaling a big breath. “You ready for this?”
“Nope.”
Hard to be excited about anything when you feel like half your heart is missing.
I don’t care that I walked away from the film project with Wesley—one that Jaxon’s already happily shared the news about on his social media.
I don’t even care that I don’t have another role lined up and my career may be over.
The only thing that matters is fixing what I’ve broken between Ashton and me, because for the first time in my life, the people closest to me matter more than my career ever did.
Luke claps me on the back. “Great, then let’s do this so we can get the heck out of here, and I can get out of this clown suit.” He tugs at his collar, making his bowtie a little lopsided.
“Sounds good to me.”
In step together, we walk down the red carpet and head toward the small theater entrance where the private viewing of the first episode of the final season of Malibu Shores will take place.
A simple set of bleachers is set up across from the entrance for all the invited media.
A backdrop is arranged across it with multiple strobe lights, reminding me of my last photoshoot at the beach and the first night I had Roxy.
Despite myself, I smile at the memory of her crashing into everything and the fact that she and Ashton took over my life the moment they entered it.
As soon as we’re in the vicinity of the media, photographers start shouting my name.
Luke squeezes my shoulder. “You’ve got this. If you need me, I’ll be over there.” He points to the side of the entrance where a large potted plant sits.
It wouldn’t surprise me if he chooses to hide behind it.
He strides off before I can even thank him for coming.
The onslaught of questions is immediate.
“Where’s Scarlet?”
“Is she still coming?”
“Why isn’t Ashton here as your date?”
“Are you with either of the women?”
“Do you regret leading on two women?”
I smile despite wanting to punch a couple of journalists in the face. Instead, I raise my hands. They slowly quiet. “I’m happy to answer any of your questions. So long as it has to do with the show. No more personal questions will be answered tonight.”
They all look around at each other, either in confusion or wondering who’ll be the bravest and risk asking another personal question.
“I have a question.”
My heart nearly stops as I immediately recognize the voice.
I turn toward the carpeted runway Luke and I just walked. And there, standing in an emerald dress, her blonde hair in loose waves down her back—looking like an ethereal goddess in fitted silk—is the woman of my dreams. I clutch my chest and rub it.
Ashton smiles her beautiful, perfect, carefree smile reserved only for me, and saunters toward me.
I turn to her, an invisible tether pulling my feet forward, and meet her in the middle.
Two miracles happen. One, I manage words, “Ma’am, you have a question?” And two, I manage not to wrap her in my arms immediately.
Her soft brown eyes, dusted in gold, look up at me. “I do.”
I step another foot closer, her face inches from mine, our conversation completely private. “Okay.”
“Can you forgive me for not trusting you—for falling into old habits, and for not realizing you always had my best interest at heart?”
Air rushes from my lungs as relief courses through me. “Of course. There’s nothing to forgive.” My fingers ache to touch her, to fill the small gap between us.
“Does that mean you’ll still have me?”
The vulnerability in her voice kills me. I cup her cheek. “Absolutely. I’ll always want you.”
Her lips tick upward.
I caress her cheek with my thumb. “You needed time to get sorted; and I was more than happy to oblige. I missed you like crazy, though.”
“You did?”
She slowly wraps her arms around my neck. Goosebumps erupt all over my skin. “More than you know.”
“Then just kiss me already.”
I grab her by the waist and smash my lips against hers, infusing our kiss with all the passion and anguish I’ve felt the past couple of days without her. She matches my fervor with gusto.
Hoots, hollers, and cheers erupt behind us.
She pulls away and laughs.
Right then, I decide that even if I hear that laugh every single day for the rest of my life, it will never be enough.
She rests her forehead against mine. “I love you,” she says softly.
“You do?”
She nods, her nose nuzzling mine.
My smile widens, and I pull back to shout, “I love this woman!” I lift her into the air and spin her around.
She giggles in delight, throwing her head back, her long hair tickling my hands.
I’d marry her this second if she’d let me.
But just like with Roxy, I’ll keep my pace slow and steady, gently persistent with my love.
When she’s truly ready, I’ll ask the question.
For now, I’ll just bask in being in her presence.
I gently place her back on the ground. “Ma’am, I’m afraid you asked more than one question. I think it’s best if you leave right now.” I keep my face serious.
She smacks me playfully. “You’re just looking for a reason to leave, but I’m afraid, sir, we need to stay.
But don’t worry, I’ll be right by your side the whole time.
” She straightens my tie. “You deserve this moment. Close this chapter with a bang so we can start a new one tomorrow.” She clasps my hand and turns toward the media.
Man, I love this woman. And I’ll make sure she knows it when we’re somewhere much, much more private later.
Ashton stands in front of the cameras next to me with ease. You’d think she’s been doing it her whole life. Growing up with paparazzi hounding her trained her for moments like this. I’m beyond grateful she’s willing to share a piece of herself and step back into the spotlight with me.
After a couple of minutes of taking pictures, the media gets distracted by the arrival of another cast member.
Scarlet.
I tense.
While we had our brief phone conversation prior to my interview, I haven’t seen her since the gala.
She looks regal in a form-fitting white gown that fans out at the bottom. Her lips are her typical ruby, making them pop even more against the white. Her teeth glow against the red as she waves toward the media.
I step to the side, my instinct telling me to run, to protect Ashton. But she holds steady, firmly holding my hand.
She looks into my eyes and says, “No more running. No more hiding.”
I beam with pride. My beautiful wallflower has come out of her shell, and she’s never looked more brilliant.
Scarlet walks toward us. Her steps are timid.
Ashton lets go of my hand and hugs Scarlet. “Hi, Scarlet, it’s good to see you.”
I know what Ashton’s doing. She’s conveying to Scarlet that there are no hard feelings about our private moment she witnessed. There are no more secrets between us.
They release from the hug and hold onto each other’s forearms. Scarlet’s expression is slightly stunned, but she’s a well-trained actress and shrugs it off quickly. “It’s good to see you, too.”
Meanwhile, I stand off to the side like an idiot, unsure what to do with myself. Do I hug her, too? Handshake? Group hug?
“Thank you for coming to the gala last week. Your support of the rescue means a lot to me.”
“Of course.” Scarlet’s lack of words is the only indication of her nerves as she continues to smile wide.
Ashton turns toward the media and speaks louder. “This woman is a near saint. Did you know that between her and her father, their family has rescued almost a dozen dogs?”
Scarlet dips her head closer to Ashton’s ear. “How’d you know that?”
Ashton ignores her and addresses the cameras again. “I’d like to take this moment to ask Scarlet if she’d do me the honor of joining The Rescue Ranch’s board along with myself, Luke Carter, Lynn Wilson, Griffin Ford, and Wren Reynolds.”
The crowd whistles and cheers.
Scarlet turns to Ashton. “Seriously?”
She nods. “Seriously.”
Scarlet’s eyes become misty. “I’d love that.”
“Perfect. We’d love to have you.” She gives Scarlet a side-hug before waving me over. “Isn’t that right, Griffin?”
I nod like the dumb, proud idiot I am.
And the three of us slip our arms through each other’s, standing side by side, taking about a hundred pictures together.
Never in my life would I have pictured this night going this way.
From the corner of my eye, I see Luke giving me two thumbs up. A gesture I will definitely be giving him crap for later. The dork.
Once again, pictures are halted as the cameras shift their attention to more incoming guests. And in walks my dad. With Edith Blake on his arm.
I’m going to kill him.