what else to say.”
“There’s nothing much else to say.”
We stare at each other with fondness for a moment.
“I’m so glad you reached out to me,” I say. “I really did miss you.”
“Same. Let’s not lose touch again, okay?”
“Deal.”
We clink our wineglasses together again and laugh, drawing the attention of a few tables around us.
Shit. I forgot for a moment that I was sharing airspace with Garrin Stone. I need to keep it down if I want to stay under his radar.
We chitchat for a while longer while we finish eating, and when the pressure builds from the wine and water to pee, I attempt to push it off until I can’t stand it any longer. I excuse myself to use the restroom, wishing I’d declined the second and third cup of coffee this morning.
The restrooms are directly to my right, in the opposite direction of where Garrin is seated. Thankfully I don’t have to pass by Garrin’s table in order to reach the ladies’ room. I head down the hall and enter the ladies’ room and do my business. As I wash my hands afterward, I study myself in the mirror for a second and then head out of the restroom, only for my feet to halt.
Garrin stands in the hallway. His hands in his pockets, his back against the wall with his ankles crossed.
My hand flies to my chest. “Oh, shit. You scared me.”
I wait for some eviscerating comment to leave his lips, but an egotistical smirk lands on his face. “I was hoping we could talk. Maybe I could swing by your parents’ place tomorrow morning?”
My mouth hangs open. It’s not like he declared his undying love for me or anything, but he was almost… cordial.
“Um…” I glance around the hallway. For what I’m not sure but having his undivided attention on me is unsettling.
Is this a trick or something?
“What’s this about?” I ask.
“I’d really rather discuss it tomorrow if that’s okay with you.”
Now he’s deferring to me to make a decision? Something is definitely going on.
“Okay, sure. I’ll be there. Should I put on my bulletproof vest?” I cock an eyebrow.
He shifts his weight and chuckles. “I suppose I deserve that.”
“Just a little.” I don’t inflect any lightness into my voice. I might deflect with humor, but I’m not the gum on the bottom of his shoe like he’s been treating me.
“Right. Well, I’d better get back to my date.”
I swallow down the cringe I desperately want to give back.
“Sure, yeah. I need to get back to Everly anyway.”
“I thought that was Everly Brookes you were with. I didn’t realize you two were still close.”
“We just reconnected since I’ve been back.”
He nods, but it almost feels as if he’s feeling out whether he believes me or not.
“Well, I’ll let you get back to your date. I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a quick nod myself, I dart out of the hallway and back to my table.
“Did you see Garrin in there?” Everly asks with wide eyes after I seat myself. “I saw him go in there a minute or so after you.”
I arrange the napkin back in place on my lap. “I did, and the weirdest thing happened.”
She leans in toward the table. “What?”
“He wasn’t an asshole, and he asked if he could come by my parents’ house tomorrow to talk to me.”
“What does he want to talk to you about?” The way her eyes light up, she’s thinking it’s much more than just a smoothie recipe.
“I have no idea.”
I glance over at Garrin’s table. He’s pulling back his date’s chair and helping her up. That was quick. Are things too hot at the table to get through a meal?
As soon as the thought enters my brain, I inwardly cringe.
I need to get a handle on my conflicting feelings over Garrin Stone and decide whether I want to kill him or sleep with him.
10
Chapter Ten
Garrin
I squeeze the steering wheel of my Lamborghini Urus one more time, staring up at the Flores home. I need to get my ass out of this car. The guard at the entry to the community would never have let me pass into the neighborhood without alerting the Flores family of my arrival.
I undo my seat belt and push open the door.
Fuck my father and his demands. I hate being beholden to that man.
And the fact that I have to do this with Isla of all people is an extra dash of salt in the wound. Why her? I’ve spent plenty of time around