So what was left?
“Believe me next time,” I said. “When I tell you someone’s dangerous or manipulative or toxic. Don’t make me prove it. Just believe me.”
He nodded. “Done.”
“Even if it doesn’t make sense to you. Even if you think I’m overreacting.”
“I will,” he said again. Firmer this time. “I promise.”
“Good.” I exhaled. “Now get up before someone takes a photo.”
He got to his feet and I reached for him without thinking. His stubble scratched my palm, making me smile.
“Yesterday,” I said. “The flowers and the spa treatments. You were setting me up.”
“Yeah.” His hand covered mine. “Words wouldn’t have been enough if your father still had leverage.”
“How long have you been planning this?”
“The team change?”
I nodded.
“Weeks. I just needed to make sure I was making the right choice.”
My brow furrowed. “Why didn’t you tell me you were considering leaving?”
He winced. “I thought you were close with him. That you’d warn your father if you knew.”
I snorted. “God, I’m good.”
“What?”
“At lying.” I shook my head. “I spent years building that facade and I didn’t realize how convincing it was.”
His brows puckered in confusion.
“Babe, you’re smarter than this.” I shook my head, chuckling. “I hate every fiber of Julian Carter’s being. If I could launch him into the sun and get away with it, I would. If I could arrange for him to be the first person to test a one-way trip to Mars, I’dcrowdfund it. If I could somehow trap him in a time loop where he has to relive his most embarrassing moment over and over again for eternity, I’d sell my soul to make it happen.”
Griffin laughed. “That’s oddly specific.”
“I’ve had years to plan this.”
“So you never...”
“Loved him? Wanted his approval?” I shook my head. “I wanted to survive. And the only way to survive Julian Carter is to make him believe you’re exactly what he wants you to be.”
His thumb brushed my cheek. “You’re free now.”
“We’re free. You made sure of that.”
“Yeah, I did.” He smiled. “So where does that leave us?”
“That depends.” I traced his bottom lip with my thumb. “Are you going to kiss me or keep talking?”
That grin spread across his face. “Definitely kissing.”
His lips claimed mine and it took all of my willpower not to crush myself against him. For a few glorious seconds, I forgot why I’d ever been angry in the first place.
