Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 55171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55171 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 276(@200wpm)___ 221(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
“Yep.” I grab the bag of food I placed between my feet so it wouldn’t tip over. My other hand goes to his, and he’s helping me out of the truck. It’s not even that high up. I’m just a slightly shorter size compared to Griff and half of the population of Jasmine.
“Ignore Finn when we get inside. His manners get away from him when he’s excited, plus we don’t get a lot of visitors at the house.” Just because Griff is Melanie’s uncle doesn’t mean we all hung out together. He’s older, she’s young, well, I am too, and the circle of friend I surrounded myself with, it’s obvious they’re shit.
“I’m sure he’ll be fine.” He guides me to the door with a hand on my hip, the other out to turn the knob. I can hear the clicking of Finn’s heels on the other side. “He must be excited. Who takes care of him when you work late at the bar or out of town?” I ask, wondering the logistics about how things work.
“I’ve got a neighbor who comes and lets him out. The only problem is Finn needs more exercise, so when I’m gone, he can get destructive if I leave something out and he’s in a particular mood.” Griff stands behind me as he opens the door. A ball of fur, yips, and excitement bolts toward us. “Finn, easy, boy.” The Golden Retriever doesn’t listen. He’s too busy nudging my hand, and I’m too much of a softy to let him not receive my attention.
“Hi, Finn.” I lift my hand out. Finn goes crazy, his big body wiggling, and then he’s nuzzling into me. I get the go-ahead from him and Griff to pet him. Instantly, I’m in heaven.
“Easy, Finn,” Griff states as Finn gets even more excited. How that’s possible, I have no idea. “Come on, baby girl, let’s go inside.” He squeezes my hip. Finn is ignoring his owner and showering me with all the attention in the way of licking my hand.
“Why don’t I take him outside to do his business? You eat your cold dinner, and I’ll join you after?” I offer, realizing yet again he hasn’t eaten, and it’s close to two o’clock in the morning. I’m exhausted, not hungry like I’m sure he is, and I’m pretty certain Griff must be tired, too.
“You taking care of me now, baby girl?” His lips graze me behind my ear. A shiver slides down my spine. I’m not sure if I’m taking care of him or being a decent human being, but if Griff likes the idea, I wouldn’t be opposed either.
“Maybe I am. Does he go out through that door?” I point to the sliding glass door.
“He does. You sure you’re okay with taking him out? He may keep you out longer than you expect.” I’m pretty sure taking a dog outside won’t take too much out of me and I’ll be fine.
“Positive. Eat your dinner so we can go to bed.” Finn must have to go because he starts running back and forth between us and the door.
“Thanks, baby. I’ll walk you out there, then eat real quick.” He guides me through the living room. I’m barely able to take it all in. The only light he has on is a lamp on the side table, and with the way Finn is moving, I’ll have to take a look on my way.
“Go eat. I’m sure I won’t get lost in the twenty or so feet I’ll be away from you.” This man, he doesn’t turn off for a minute. Not even when he needs to take care of himself.
“I will. I’m just making sure everything is good in the backyard. We can’t have a lot of lights on while it’s nesting season for the turtles.” When he puts it like that, it’s kind of hard to say much else.
“Oh, well, okay.” He unlocks the back door. Finn takes off, not a care in the world. Meanwhile, I stand on the concrete, face turned up toward the moon, enjoying the sounds of the waves crashing against the shore.
“Everything’s good. I’ll leave the door open. Come in whenever.” I feel his finger graze along the outside of my arm. My flesh pebbles in his wake, making me want more of his tantalizing touch.
“Alright.” My voice is breathless, and I realize just how stupid I was to stay with Zach. Especially when there’s a man like Griff who is willing to put in the effort and work to make me believe there’s something real out there and maybe I finally found it.
12
GRIFFIN
“Shower,” I tell Stormy when she finally reappears with Finn at her heels. True to my words, my boy kept her out there for as long as he could. I grabbed my sandwich, walked back to the glass doors, and watched. Stormy never tired from throwing the ball back and forth with Finn. It was my boy who finally gave her mercy.