“Sure. You pick one.”
“If you’re having fish as the main course, why don’t we order the smoked trout for an appetizer?” he suggested.
It was oddly thoughtful of him to pair it to my main course instead of his. Then again, I had an inkling that Griffin was simply a thoughtful person.
I nodded. “All right.”
The waiter returned as soon as we set the menus on the table. The service was impeccable. After we ordered, another waiter came with slices of bread and various spreads.
“That’s on the house,” he said before leaving.
I reached for the bread right away, putting a green spread on it. I was pretty hungry too. I just hadn’t realized it.
“So, tell me,” Jude said, “where did you two meet?”
I froze in the act of biting into my slice.Crap!Why didn’t we think about coming up with a detailed story for that? It was one of the first things people wanted to know about a new couple.
CHAPTER 9
PHOEBE
“On the beach,”Griffin answered smoothly.
I took a bite of my slice of bread to hide my surprise. The green spread was a delicious olive paste.
“I was jogging, and she was just strolling through the water. She caught my attention, and I immediately flirted with her. She told me off.”
My face opened up in a huge smile. Well, I could actually see that happening in my mind’s eye: the water lapping at my feet and Griffin jogging. Was he one of those guys who only wore shorts and nothing on top? Oh, I hoped he was. Then I thought of something to add to his story. “But I was just playing hard to get. He looked very attractive. In fact, so attractive that I’d been convinced he’d just come to jog shirtless to pick someone up. Like that was his motive.”
Jude laughed. “That sounds like the Griffin I’ve heard about.”
“He can be very cocky sometimes. But I adore it,” I continued, deciding to tease him.
Griffin smiled, bringing his chair closer to mine and putting an arm around my shoulders. “I like to call it persuasive.”
“That too,” I agreed, licking my lips and shimmying slightlyin my seat. I didn’t even have to pretend this part. The man had an uncanny effect on me. My body temperature seemed to rise a few degrees whenever he was close.
Goodness, this was so unlike me! I’d never felt like this with Marshall, even in the beginning.
“What do you do for work, Phoebe?” Emma asked me, effectively slicing through the tension.
Griffin looked briefly at my lips before returning his attention to the table.
“I used to work in a doctor’s office, managing the day-to-day business. Now I’m looking for something else.”
I kept my fingers crossed that they wouldn’t prod too much.
“I’m sure you’ll find something great,” Emma said.
My shoulders sank with relief. Just then, our appetizers arrived. My hunger had subsided a little bit from the bread with olive paste, and the conversation picked up once again.
“Phoebe,” Jude said once our starter plates were empty, “did Griffin tell you about my business?”
“Yes, he did.” I was grateful that the conversation wasn’t about me or about us this time. I was starting to feel guilty for lying to Jude and Emma, as they seemed really nice. “I think it would complement his portfolio very well. I mean, he’s a whiz with digital companies.” I might not know a lot about Griffin, but I was 100 percent sure that I was right.
“Hmm,” Jude said, clearly sounding unconvinced.
I chanced a glance at Griffin. I’d expected him to go into business mode, but he seemed remarkably relaxed, leaning back in his chair.
