Griff's Place (Havenwood #4) - Riley Hart Page 0,20

fries.”

“I’ll take the crispy-chicken sandwich and fries,” Josh added.

She told us she’d be back and left us alone again.

Josh rambled on about things we could do while we were there—hiking, swimming, fishing, heading up Chimney Rock. I listened and replied when I should, but I kept finding myself focused on Josh’s voice and his lips and the excitement I felt deep in my gut about our time here.

And the studio cabin with one bed.

Fuck, I was back there again.

Our lunch came, and I finally managed to chill out some. We ate and chatted. The food was good. Josh joked about enjoying himself and eating what he wanted while we were away and then getting back on track when we got home.

He tried to pay for lunch, but I insisted we split it. Josh rolled his eyes but didn’t argue.

From there we walked around the small strip of Chimney Rock Village, heading into all the little shops and looking around. They had a lot of local arts and crafts, which made me think of Kellan.

“I saw a grocery store up the road,” Josh said. “Want to head there and get some supplies for the cabin?”

“Yeah, might as well cook there as much as we can.”

Josh automatically went to the driver’s seat of my truck, and we went to the store. We stocked up on food, drinks, and beer before taking the drive back to our studio cabin with one bed. Christ, I needed to get over that shit.

We put the groceries away and then explored a bit. When evening fell, we took the fishing gear out to our small dock and tried to catch some fish.

I did. Josh didn’t.

Obviously, I couldn’t let that go. “So…remember that time I caught a fish and you didn’t?”

“Oh, you mean ten minutes ago?”

“Yeah. Then. Don’t worry. I’ll remind you later too.”

His head tilted down as he gave a soft chuckle. The sun was setting behind him, bright with pinks and oranges in this way that almost made Josh glow. It hit me strangely in the gut, almost like a punch, stealing my breath.

I shook my head and looked away.

We grilled dinner out back and ate at the table on the deck. The night had a slight chill to it that would continue to get worse as we headed into winter.

We ended up watching a movie after that, some action flick that had Josh buzzing with energy. I noticed he did that a lot.

Afterward we took turns showering, me first. He came out in a pair of basketball shorts and with wet hair that he shook out like a dog, making water hit me.

“Asshole.”

“I make your life fun,” he joked, then stretched. “I’m ready to hit the sack. We have a big day tomorrow. Lots to do.”

“Yeah, I’m tired too.”

Josh went over to the bed and pulled the blankets down as I walked over and looked out the window. He was quiet for a moment, then said to my back, “I can sleep on the couch if you want. It’s not a big deal.”

There wasn’t a chance in hell I was letting that happen. “I could too.”

“Don’t.” At that I turned and looked at him. “This is supposed to be your special trip. I want it to be fun for you. You deserve someone to look out for you,” he said, looking almost embarrassed, his eyes darting away.

The reaction was so unfamiliar when it came to Josh, and along with his words, made this warmth start in my gut and spread through me. I appreciated what he said. It made me feel…fuck, it made me feel important. I didn’t know how to tell him that, though, so I just said, “Shut up and get into bed. I don’t have cooties, ya know?”

He laughed. “Bossy-ass Griff is back.”

I turned out the lights, and the two of us climbed into bed. We weren’t touching, but I was distinctly aware of him beside me.

We lay there for who knew how long before I said, “Joshy?” Well, shit. I hadn’t meant to call him that.

“Yeah?”

“Thanks…for this.”

“Anytime, man.”

His breathing evened out not long after, but I couldn’t sleep. I didn’t dare move, though what I thought would happen if I did, I wasn’t sure. I focused on the soft scent of cedar and vanilla drifting from the other side of the bed. It was Josh, I realized, and that I’d already known that was what he smelled like. I didn’t know if it was aftershave, cologne, deodorant, or what, but it