I laughed, kissing her forehead. “I’m all for that.”
CHAPTER 23
GRIFFIN
I likedmy house best in the morning. The position of the sun warmed up the patio, but it wasn’t so hot that you couldn’t enjoy the outdoors. I made a point of going outside every morning to drink my coffee. Today was no different, except I didn’t have a coffee. Phoebe was still sleeping, so I didn’t even start the coffee machine because it was too loud. One big minus of the house was the open floor plan. I liked it, but you could hear everything from afar.
My phone rang at exactly eight o’clock. I wondered who it could be at this hour. Then I noticed that Mom had sent a message twenty minutes ago.
Mom: Do you need us to bring anything?
I frowned, not really understanding what she meant.
Mom: Before you say no, I’ve made muffins this morning. Everyone loves them.
Fuck. Fuck!I’d completely forgotten that I’d asked my family for breakfast this morning. How the hell did that happen? I’d planned to tell Phoebe yesterday, ask her if she was okay with that. And then I got completely lost in her.
I headed back inside and hurried upstairs, happy when I heard the shower. My family was going to be here in less than anhour. I knocked at the door of the bathroom before stepping in so I wouldn’t startle her. She turned around, grinning.
“Turn off the water,” I said. “I need to tell you something.”
“Huh?”
I leaned in to turn off the water, getting my arm wet. “Listen, I need to tell you something.”
“What is it?” Her smile faded.
“I forgot that I asked my family to drop by for breakfast today.”.”
“Oh my God. Um, okay. I wouldn’t have washed my hair if I knew that because drying it will take forever.” Her eyes widened. “Shit, we came in your car. Can you drop me off somewhere?”
“Phoebe,” I said sternly.
“Huh? Yeah?”
“Has it occurred to you that I might want you to stay?”
She straightened up, lowering her hands by her sides. She must be cold without the water running, because her nipples were perked up.
Or maybe it was her reaction to me.
Her smile was back. “Wait, your family knows who I am?”
I cleared my throat. “Get dressed and we’ll talk later,” I said, looking anywhere but at her nipples.
“Why? Am I too distracting?”
“Fuck yes, you are. I’m close to mauling you right here in the shower, and we don’t have time for that.”
“Whoops, okay. Then shoo, shoo,” she said.
“You’re dismissing me?”
“This goes both ways, you know? You look very delectable standing there in your white T-shirt. I’m having all sorts of ideas, like turning on the water and pulling you under it. It’s best if you wait for me downstairs.”
I chuckled. “Sure.”
I headed out of the bathroom, leaving her to get dressed. Descending the steps, I tried to anticipate how the day would go.It wasn’t really possible, though. I could predict my family’s individual reactions, but when we were all together, things could escalate quickly and in ways I couldn’t foresee. The dynamics changed according to what mood everyone woke up in. Since the entire family would be here today, this could go all sorts of ways.
