Page 14

“Let’s not make this more than it is,” she said firmly. The warmth left her eyes as she added, “This is just sex.”

“This is more than just sex, and we both know it,” I said firmly. “This is our second chance. We found each other again for a reason.”

I saw the fear on her face as she rolled off the bed and started frantically searching for her clothes.

“This was a mistake,” she said. “It can’t happen again.”

“That’s what you said last time,” I reminded her. “And yet here you are.”

She growled, picking up a book from the bedside table and winging it at my head. I ducked and it bounced off the wall before falling onto the bed. My girl had always had a temper on her.

I stood up, watching but not making an attempt to stop her from leaving. Her eyes fixed on my body for a long moment, and she licked her lips. I tightened my already flat abs and subtly flexed my pecs as she stared at me. She shook her head, as if she was coming out of a trance, and pulled on her clothes quickly.

I knew her well enough to know that she was going to need some time to process things. I’d give her some time, but sooner or later she’d come to realize the truth: she was mine.

Chapter 8

Dawn

I raced home from Griff’s place, muttering to myself the entire time. I couldn’t believe I’d gone over there. I couldn’t believe we’d slept together again. I couldn’t believe that I had wanted nothing more than to fall asleep in his arms and wake up with Griffin wrapped around me like when we were younger.

God, I was so pathetic. The man had screwed me over and left twenty-five years ago, showing no interest in me or his daughter all this time. And now he was here, and I was playing right into his hands by jumping back into bed with him. Except it felt so right...

I shook my head and reminded myself how I’d felt when Griff had handed me those divorce papers and strode out of my life. I’d wanted to die. Maybe I would have, if I hadn’t needed to care for our daughter.

I’d dated a fair amount since the divorce, especially once Chloe got old enough to understand that every guy I went out with wasn’t going to be her daddy. I’d even gotten serious with a couple of guys. One of them had asked me to marry him, the other had wanted us to move in together. I’d liked them both a lot, but I hadn’t loved them. Not the way I needed to.

Not the way I’d loved my husband.

I shook my head at my ridiculousness. Loving him hadn’t been enough for Griff. I hadn’t been enough for him. His daughter hadn’t been enough. Griff was a runner, and I needed to remember that.

As soon as I was home I texted my besties.

Dawn: I accidentally slept with Griff

Emma: What? How was it?

Evie: How do you accidentally sleep with your ex-husband? Did you slip and fall onto his penis?

Dawn: It’s a long story. Can you meet me for drinks tomorrow night?

Emma: Don’t you have to work?

Dawn: I’ll get Chloe to cover for me. I need you to talk some sense into me.

Evie: Wow, this must be big. Okay, how about Jose’s at six o’clock?

Dawn: Sounds great. See you girls then.

Evie had a pitcher of margaritas on the table by the time I arrived. I slid into my chair and raised my hand when I saw her mouth open.

“No questions until Emma is here. I only want to explain it all once.”

Evie poured margarita into a glass and slid it towards me just as Emma rushed in, looking a bit flushed.

“Sorry, Wyatt and I had to...do something.”

“Yes, yes, Emma, we all recognize your sex hair,” Evie teased her. “Now sit down so we can get the scoop on someone else’s romantic exploits.”