There was a text waiting from Griffin.
Griffin
Hey, beautiful. Just wanted to let you know, I’m staying in Seddledowne for good. You’re more important than a job or a city. I never should’ve left without you. I’m so sorry I hurt you. I love you, Jules, and I’m going to make it up to you.
Against my will, a sigh slipped out.
Cut it out with the sighing. He’s just on his best behavior,saying all the right things. The minute you forgive him, he’ll hit you with a plot twist. “Psych, we’re moving back to Phoenix.”
A second message came through.
Griff
PS: Sorry, I couldn’t stay and hold you longer. I love holding you. But I have some things I need to take care of.
Another breath escaped.
Wait.
What did he mean he had some things he needed to take care of?
I squinted and opened the location app… then sat straight up. He was at the fire station in Honeyville. I flopped against the wall, my pulse kicking up. Was he trying to get his old job back?
When I woke up this morning, “Griffin flies home, tries to win me over, and stays for good” wasn’t on my bingo card. I didn’t even have a square for that.
Before I’d even processed it, another text popped up. I jumped at Peyton’s name.
Peyton
I thought we were doing inventory today. Where are you?
Shoot.
I threw off the covers and tore out of the room.
Sitting at the glam station in DoubleTake Beauty headquarters—aka Ford’s former tour bus—I blended the last of the new cream illuminator across Peyton’s cheekbones. Shade:Morning Dew. The rose-gold shimmer was made for her olive complexion.
I kissed my fingers. “Seriously. It’s perfection.”
She turned her chin from side to side, clearly delighted. “Girl.” She held up her hand for a high five. “We are so good.”
I slapped her palm. “We really are.” Then I exhaled. “Thank you for inviting me to do this with you.”
“Stawp.” She blushed. “You don’t have to thank me every single day. You act like I rescued you fromThe Hunger Games.”
I pressed my lips together, sealing in the wordspretty much. “It’s—” I dialed it back, “—so much fun.”
“Right?” She laughed. “So much fun.” She checked the time on her smartwatch. “Shoot. We’re on a roll, but Ford grilled ribs, and he’s getting hangry.”
“What if you go eat real quick?” I suggested. “When you get back, we can finish inputting the inventory into the system.” Anything to avoid facing Griffin and his bedroom eyes tonight.
Peyton gave me a suspicious side-eye. Or was that compassion? “I get it, girl,” she said. “Those Dupree men don’t know how to take no for an answer, and sometimes a girl isn’t ready for their big, loud, suffocating love.”
“Exactly,” I lied.
Oh, I was ready for it. There probably wasn’t a woman more ready. I had a twenty-year backlog of isolation and a desire to be loved, just waiting to be filled. But I couldn’t hurt Griffin any more than I had. So it was better to make myself unavailable.
“Plus, you have three months of heartbreak he needs to make up for. The man owes you infinity roses, foot rubs, and groveling dates.”
