Dammit, Pops.I knew exactly where he went.
“I can go get him, Jack,” Cliff said.
“No. I got this. I’m in a meeting. I’ll leave right after.” Pops was in a safe place for now.
I ended the call and got down to business.
James explained their ideas. I studied the pre-concept designs, the mood boards, and then the sprawling 3D model of the luxurious resort. They got the gist of what I wanted. I walked around the model and stopped, pointed to the bar-slash-entertainment area leading to the grotto-style interlinking swimming pools. “This.”
Shaun Woods stilled, then said, “We like to give our interns a chance. I can rework it—”
“No, this is it with a few changes…” I explained the vision I had. Might as well get things right before I presented it to the board.
Two hours later, satisfied with our progress on the project, I picked up my car keys and walked out with the brothers. Justin glanced up, his eyebrow quirking in question.
“I’ll be gone for the afternoon. If it’s anything important, reach me on my cell.”
“Sure thing, Mr. Griffin.”
It was close to five as I parked my car on the street a short distance away from Sunset Senior Homes near Golden Gate Bridge and headed for the well-maintained, circular, five-story building. Nodding a greeting to the people working in reception, I made my way to Chuck’s room on the ground floor.
Pops had made sure his old army friend—and probably the only man he ever trusted—had a decent place when he retired since his family had moved to a different state. They rarely visited. Chuck had saved Pops’ life more than once, forming an unbreakable bond between the two.
But right now, Pops needed to take care of himself, not go running around.
Rubbing my bristly jaw, I turned the corner and slowed at the tall, slender woman leaving Chuck’s room. Something about her struck a chord of familiarity…shit. Ray?
And then it clicked. She was always helping out at charities and stuff. Why wouldn’t she be here? A smile started. My shitty day suddenly looked so much brighter. Then it hit me like.
Shewas who Pops had been talking about?
I couldn’t blame him for being so determined to get out here to see her when she’d been on my mind for most of the day. But I doubted I even existed in hers. I would have called out…except I knew she would run. So, I shut my mouth.
Yesterday had been a revelation of sorts. Ray might spout every bullshit excuse she could to push me away, and yeah, she might not like me, but shewasattracted to me. It was a start.
I slipped my hands into my pockets and watched as she hurried down the corridor, banked right, and then disappeared from sight. Once she was gone, I strolled into Chuck’s room.
Pops straightened in his seat and cast me a nonchalant stare. I didn’t rant at him for leaving the mansion when he should be resting. Instead, I leaned a shoulder against the doorjamb. “Ready to go?”
Pops narrowed his eyes at me. “No lecture?”
“You’re here now, futile to make a fuss. But I understand your need to see this…er, woman you’re crushing on. I figured it’s why you were here so soon again.”
Chuck laughed. “He’s got you there, old friend.”
I straightened from the jamb, strolled to the other chair, and sat. Pops cut Chuck a grouchy glare, then he smirked at me. “You just missed her. No problem, I’ve invited her to dinner.”
Damn, I could barely stop my smile that she would be coming home—wait. My brow pulled down in a frown, not liking the thought taking shape at Pops’ words. “Why?”
“Because I like her.” He cut me that inflexible Griffin stare, which meant he’d take no bullshit from me. “And I want to get to know her better.”
He did?
Hell, I was seriously fucked now. Cal, I could threaten. But Pops? “When?” the word squeezed free from a throat gone bone dry.
“Tonight, if I can help it. But she’s busy, so next week. At my age, I don’t have time to play games.”
Was that a dig at me to get serious about my own life? I was, but only with work.
