“What are you thinking about?” Griff asks, taking my hand and weaving our fingers together. He’s so perfectly low-key romantic like that—little gestures that mean big things. “You’re not… I mean, I know it’s soon for us to say that we love each other, but…” He trails off and blows out a breath. Aw. Is he nervous?
“Soon or not, that’s how I feel,” I assure him. “I have a lot of experience with feelings that aren’t logical. They exist anyway, and I’m just glad loving you is a feeling that makes me happy.”
His smile lights up the room, and he lifts our hands to his mouth and kisses my fingers. “Me too.”
That’s a relief. “I was thinking about how I’m going to stay in my pajamas today. Unless you can think of a reason why I shouldn’t.”
“Nope. You’re all good. Calla texted me this morning, and she seemed to be hinting for an invite to come over, but I can put her off if you want.”
I wince. “Sorry about that. She shouldn’t hav?—”
He laughs. “No, I don’t care about that. She’s your best friend, Phil. If you want her here, she’s welcome. But if you want to stay in your PJs and have a quiet day, I can make that happen.”
Aww. “That’s sweet, but donottell Calla she’s basically got an open invite to come over. I’ll text her in a bit, though. I want it to be just us for today.” I love my bestie, but I know myself well enough to know what I need most right now is a really low-key day. Plus, Griff and I just said we love each other. That’s not something Calla needs to be a part of.
“Just us sounds good.” He kisses the side of my head, but I’m distracted by the pitter of little paws. Vivi runs into the room, sees us snuggling, and races to join us, jumping up into our shared lap space. “Just us and Vivi,” Griff amends, giving her an ear rub.
“Always Vivi,” I agree. “She was a hero yesterday.” Her company made it a lot easier for me to stay grounded.
Griff makes a humming sound, and we sit there for a little while. My gaze falls on his laptop on the cushion on his other side.
“What were you doing?” I gesture toward it. “Please don’t say work, or I’ll feel bad for interrupting.”
“Nah. I was checking the cancellation policy for my hotel in Vegas. I remembered right, though, so it’s all good.”
I frown and lift my head so I can see his face. “The cancellation policy? Why? Are you going to stay with Penny’s boyfriend’s family? I thought you didn’t want to.”
He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Sweetheart, I’m not going. While I’m sure Spears is good at his job, I doubt he’ll find this person in the next four days. Not with all the chaos this time of year brings. I can’t leave you here alone while all this is going on, so I’m staying here with you.”
My heart plummets. “But… your family. Penny wants you to meet whatshisname, and Carter will be heartbroken if he can’t see Vivi.”
He shrugs. “So I’ll take some time and go see them after this is over.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Griff, no. I can’t be the reason you cancel your trip and miss out on seeing your family for the holidays.”
“You’renot?—”
“No, Griff,” I say for the third time. “I’m putting my foot down. You’re going to Vegas on Thursday. I’ll stay with Butch and Xera.” I push down the roiling anxiety that kicks up at the thought of being apart from Griff for days. That’s silly. We don’t have to be glued together.
My stubborn boyfriend pulls a face. “What?—”
I cut him off without remorse. “Don’t even think of arguing with me. Iinsist.”
He waits a beat, then says, “Can I say something now, or are you not done insisting?”
It’s hard, with the way I’m pressed up against him, but I still manage to jab him with my elbow. “Less sass, please. Of course you can say something… as long as it’s not about how you’re planning to cancel your trip.”
“What if it’s about you coming with me?”
The breath stalls in my chest. “What?”
“Come with me to Vegas,” he asks. “Meet my family and spend the holidays with us.”
Heat rises through my whole body, but it’s the good kind. He wants me to meet his family. “Are you sure? You haven’t even met… Fuck, what’s Penny’s boyfriend’s name again?”
He snorts. “It’s—” He stops short, and chagrin sweeps over his face. “Dammit. Give me a second, it’ll come back. Whatever it is, I’m sure he won’t mind. I was planning to skip Christmas dinner and meet up with Penny and Carter and him later in the day anyway. Or if you’d rather go, I’m sure they won’t mind. Pen said they basically have an open house.”
My anxietyhatesthe idea of gatecrashing someone else’s Christmas, and that’s not even taking into account the whole part about them being strangers. But what it hates even more is the thought of being separated from Griff for four whole days. Of having to stay at Butch and Xera’s place, where I’ve never slept before and have no comfort routines. It hates the idea thatGriff might be far away if this stalker decides to send something again… or worse.
