what to do. I should close the bar for a few days, but I don’t know if my mom needs help paying for the…” He swallowed. “For the funeral.”
I remembered when my grandfather had died and my parents spoke in low tones, so my grandmother and I wouldn’t hear. I knew funerals weren’t cheap.
“How about you let me help with the bar? I don’t know everything you do, but I can probably wing it for a few days. And we’ll close on the day of your father’s funeral, so you don’t have to worry about any emergencies.”
“Thank you,” he said without meeting my eyes.
I wasn’t sure if he was going to cry again, and I also knew that if he did, he would probably be embarrassed in the light of day.
I put my arms around him, and he buried his nose between my breasts. “You’re welcome, but you don’t have to thank me. I am your best and longest friend. I hope you know I’d do just about anything for you.”
I thought I had gone too sentimental for him, but he raised his head until he reached my neck, where he started kissing me.
I closed my eyes and leaned into him.
No man could make me lose concentration like Griffin, but it was a good thing the rest of my body said no. When he put his hand between my legs, I winced and stepped back.
I shook my head. “No.”
His eyebrows flew up. “No?”
“No.”
“I don’t think you’ve ever said no to me before.”
“We’ve never had so much sex before. I’m sore.”
He frowned and looked down. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
I lifted his chin. “Don’t be sorry. I didn’t say no to anything last night.” I smiled to reassure him. “But right now, my vagina can’t handle any more sex.” I looked down at his pants to see him hard and shook my head in amazement. “Frankly, I am shocked to see you can get it up.”
He smiled.
“Just give the poor girl a day or so, and then she’ll be ready for you again.” I ran my hand over his scruff. “I’m going to go home, shower, and get a change of clothes, and then I’ll be back. Do you think you can give me a rundown of the business? I’ve seen you work, but I don’t know everything you do.”
“Sure.”
“Do you need anything while I’m out? Do you want me to call anyone for you? Do you need me to check on your mom?”
He shook his head. “I’ll call her in just a few.” He turned his head away. “I just can’t believe he’s…”
I hugged him. “I know, baby. I know.”
Thirty-Three
Griffin
I stared at my reflection as I straightened my tie. I had shaved today, but I still looked like I hadn’t slept all week.
“Sorry, Dad, this is as good as I’m going to get.”
I stepped back and took one last look before I left the room. I hadn’t dressed up in forever, and I hated that the reason I was wearing a suit was because today was my father’s funeral.
Madeline poked her head in my bedroom, wearing a conservative black dress. “Are you ready to go?” she asked.
I honestly didn’t know what I would have done without her over the last few days. She had pretty much taken over running the bar for me while I helped my mom plan the funeral. I was lucky she could take time off work to help me run my business. I should tell her to add herself to the payroll because she deserved to be compensated.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
One would think after all the planning I had done this week, I’d be ready, but I wasn’t.
The funeral went as well as could be expected. All my friends arrived to show their support, and even though it was a cold December day, the sun blazed high in the sky.
The gathering after the funeral and burial was at my parents’ house, and I hated every second of it.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” the hundredth person today said to me.
I knew they didn’t know what else to say, but I was sick of hearing it. My dad dying was way more than a “loss.” He was my father, and he was gone forever.
I snuck out to the garage and turned on the heater to stay warm. I needed a little time away from all the well-meaning guests, but I felt bad about leaving my mom in there alone.
I was going through my father’s tools when the