“He’s smart.” Dylan smiled.
“Why do you say that?” I tilted my head to the side.
Dylan’s smile widened. “He’s going slowly with you, including Declan, so you feel safe with him. You’ll start falling for him before he takes you on an official date.”
A shiver ran down my spine at her words. She was right. I was falling for him. Opening up to him was an indication of that. It was scary and thrilling.
“How was the kiss?” Hadley asked.
Earth-shattering. Groundbreaking. What words could I use to describe it that would give that moment justice except cheesy girl-talk ones? The kind of talk I’d always secretly sneered at. I never allowed myself to be open like that. Until now.
“Wow, that good?” Hadley exchanged a knowing look with Dylan.
“I didn’t even say anything.”
“You didn’t have to. It was written all over your face,” Hadley said softly. “Are you scared?”
I closed my eyes briefly as if to hide the truth before I opened them, deciding to be more honest than I’d been with anyone. “Terrified. He could hurt me.”
I shook my head at my stupidity. I never allowed myself to be in this position. At someone else’s mercy.
“Or it could be an amazing adult relationship where you fall in love,” Dylan said.
In all my worries, that wasn’t one of them. Getting hurt, being vulnerable, but not falling in love. I hadn’t even considered that.
“Anyway, I think what’s happening with Griffin is great. Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there,” Hadley said.
“It’s so hard.”
“It will be at first. Then it will get easier. It will be worth it. I promise,” Hadley said.
“I hope you’re right because the alternative—” Allowing myself to be defenseless wasn’t an option. I wouldn’t survive it again.
“I am. I love Cade. Everything we went through to get to where we are now was worth it,” Hadley said.
“I hope so.” I wanted what she had with Cade. I wanted someone who’d be there for me, but how did you accomplish that when you’d never had it? The voice in my head told me I didn’t deserve it. If my parents didn’t love me, if Wes didn’t have any feelings for me after a year of dating, then how could someone else?
“Back to why we’re here, ladies. Avery, how many new clients did we get this week?” Dylan asked.
I refocused on the spreadsheet I’d printed with the new clients, pushing out any thoughts of Griffin.
Chapter Eleven
Avery
I waited by the harbor, the brick-lined deck quiet this early in the morning. Most people were probably at one of the many restaurants for brunch on a Saturday. I was early to meet Griffin and Declan, so I sat on a bench by the water, lifting my chin to enjoy the breeze in my hair, the sun on my skin.
How often did I take the time to just be? Not worried about something I said or did, but to be content in the moment? I felt settled, instead of restless.
“Avery?” Griffin’s questioning voice came from behind me. I turned to find him.
I looked past him. “Where’s Declan?”
“He’s by the boat. He wanted to read the tour’s brochure.”
I followed his gaze to where Declan stood talking to what looked like the captain of the boat. “He’s not shy, huh?”
He shook his head, chuckling. “Not at all.”
He was dressed the part of a local in his white polo, khaki shorts, and Sperrys. I wanted to reach out and touch the scruff on his chin. He was so handsome and he was here to see me. It was hard to believe. He knew me better than anyone I’d ever dated, but he was here.
“How are you this morning?” His steady gaze sent tingles across my skin, my heart racing.
I cleared my throat to hide how he affected me. “I’m good. How about you?”
He sat next to me. “I’m better now that I’m here.”
I had to forcibly remove my gaze from his to dissolve the intimate moment. “It’s a beautiful day.”
“It’s beautiful because I’m here with you.”
My face heated at the compliment. From anyone else, I would have dismissed his comment as cheesy, but from him, it was sincere. “You’re a charmer, aren’t you?”
He laughed softly. “I think it only comes out with you.”
“I like it.” I liked his attention, his warm eyes on mine. Warmth spread through me as he held out his hand to me.
“Ready to board the boat? I think it’s time.”
Sure enough, Declan stood by the boat gesturing to us. I placed my hand in his larger one, noting the calluses on his hands that hinted he spent time doing something other than office work. Did he have a hobby I didn’t know about or were his calluses from riding bikes and the outdoor activities he did with Declan?
When we reached Declan, he was practically bouncing on his toes. “Come on. Hurry up.”
“I don’t think the boat will leave without us,” Griffin said dryly.
We walked to the small line that formed to board.
“Are you excited about the boat ride?” I smiled at Declan. I was a little worried it would bring back bad memories of his father even though a touring boat wasn’t the same as a sailboat.
“I am.” Declan turned his attention to the moving line.
“I’m glad I suggested it then,” I said to Griffin.
“He loves boats, planes, and trains.” Griffin gazed down at me with affection.
I was content with the warmth of the morning sun on our faces, Griffin’s hand in mine, and Declan by our sides. Being with them felt natural. I wouldn’t screw this day up with my insecurities or worries about not being right for Griffin. I’d enjoy the day. Catalog it for a time when I was alone and could enjoy sifting through the memories like a photo album.
We handed the worker our printed tickets, walking up the ramp.
“Top or bottom deck?” Griffin asked Declan.
Declan rolled his eyes. “Top of course.”
“It will be hotter up there but fewer people,” Griffin said.
I followed Declan up the steps, conscious that Griffin was behind me, possibly watching my hips sway in my dress. When we reached the top, a slight breeze lifted my hair as we wandered to the railing to watch everyone else board.
I leaned a hip on the railing with Declan next to me. Griffin stood slightly behind me, bracing an arm on the railing. His warmth surrounded me.
Instead of feeling trapped, I felt protected, cared for.
He leaned down to speak softly in my ear, “Have you taken the tour before?”
I shook my head slightly, my hair catching in the scruff on his chin. I shivered thinking about how his scruff would feel on the sensitive part of my neck if he touched his lips there. “I’ve only watched it leave. I like sitting here by the harbor.”
His hand settled on my hip and I swayed toward him until my back rested on his chest, warmth and contentment radiating through my body. “Why haven’t you taken the tour?”
“I felt weird about doing it alone.” I’d watched people board, waving to those of us on land, before the horn honked, and pulled away. It was full of families and couples. I never thought I’d be close enough to anyone to enjoy an outing like this.