My mind goes down a path it shouldn’t since we’rejust friends.I scrub those thoughts and say, “I’ll let you decide the accessories.I haven’t decided yet which movie we’re watching, but I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”
We exchange a few more jokes before hanging up.I haven’t been more excited for a routine movie night in eons.I’m just glad Piper and Casey aren’t here right now.
Piper, because she’d give me shit for how goofily I’m smiling right now and wouldfor suretease me about my “girlfriend” like she did during the grand opening.
And Casey, because if she were here right now, there’d be no way for me to pretend I’m not desperate for a taste of her.
I’ve got the rest of the day to steel myself and put that attraction right where it belongs: under lock and key, where it can’t interfere with my summer recovery or my upcoming season with the Crushers.
CHAPTER SIX
CASEY
I said I’d bring popcorn, but what I actually brought was an overnight bag and enough food to feed an army.I want to be a gracious visitor; plus, I won’t be caught dead wearing the same clothes two days in a rowagainaround this handsome, put-together god.I have standards.
In fact, they’re the only things I have left.So I gotta hold onto them.
My mason jar of farmer’s market kernels nicely complements the peanut brittle and the ready-to-go charcuterie board I picked up from the Daily Spot.Not to mention the honey I purchased for Griffin at last weekend’s farmer’s market, which I’d never forget to bring him.
Hell, if things really go south, maybe I could pay him rent in honey.
Do not suggest that to him, Casey.Shut your mouth.
The front door swings open after my awkward elbow knock, necessary due to the sheer number of bags dangling from my fingers.Griffin answers a moment later, his handsome face lighting up.
“Casey!You came prepared.”He immediately swoops in and relieves me of the grocery bags.I step inside, spotting Piper and Kru already arranged on the big couch facing the enormous television.Piper waves excitedly, and Kru twists to give me a thumbs up.Branson is in an overstuffed chair off to the side, deep in conversation with a girl I don’t recognize but who looks younger than us.
“Hey, guys!Can’t wait for the B-movie sleaze.”I shut the door behind me and stow my bag nearby like it’s a purse instead of my overnight bag.
“Come sit by me,” Piper calls out.“So we can laugh together at the bad acting.”
“Save my spot.”I follow Griffin into the kitchen.I couldn’t go elsewhere if I tried; he’s a broad-shouldered hunk whose mere shadow I could hump and probably get off.Also, I need to present to him his honey.Once he’s got all the bags on the kitchen island, I dig out the mason jars.
“I have something for you,” I say, eagerly presenting the glass jar.Just before he reaches for it, I frown and put it to the side.“Nope, that’s the wrong one, sorry.That’s popcorn.It’sthisone.”I grab the correct jar and ramp up my smile again.“Honey.For you.”
His handsome smile hits heartbreaker level as he takes it from me.“You remembered.”
“I promised I’d get you some.And this is Mr.Steinmetz’sfinesthoney.”
He nods approvingly as his gaze sweeps over the homemade label.“This is the good shit.”
“The sticky, dripping, sweet…” I trail off as my mind immediately heads for the gutter.I’d been talking about honey, but maybe I’m also talking about the state of my vagina when I’m in front of Griffin.I feel my cheeks start to heat up, so I hurry to add, “Properties of honey.”
Griffin looks amused as he holds my gaze, that damn slate swirl the only thing I can focus on.“Yeah.From all those busy, buzzing, vibrating…”
“Bees?”I offer.
He nods, looking like he’s holding in laughter.“Yeah.That’s what I was going to say.”
“OK, because it kind of sounded like—” I begin, but impatient groans interrupt our double-entendre conversation.
“Are you guys ready yet?I need the sleaze,” Branson whines.
“I need to make the popcorn,” I quip, grabbing the other jar.My heart is pounding as I brush past Griffin’s solidity, which only lights me up further.Fuck, were we flirting?Or was he just responding to my weird adjectives because I read too much smut?I’m not sure, but my entire body is electrified and I’m desperate for another chance to stare into his beautiful eyes.
I try to remember where he stores the pots as I pass the jar back and forth between my hands.
“We’re doing this old school style, huh?”he asks, appearing beside me with the exact pot I’d have picked myself.
