As it was, the newlyweds were making the best of the situation. I watched as Griffen dipped a saltine in the soup, urging Hope to take it. Her face looked green as she nibbled. Griffen noticed me watching. “Sometimes a little food makes the nausea better.”
“And sometimes it doesn't?”
“And sometimes it doesn't,” Griffen admitted. “How are things at The Inn?” he asked, picking up a sandwich.
I pulled my chair closer to the desk and reached for my own plate. “Someone called our produce supplier and canceled all of our orders,” I told him, “and Vanessa stopped by to extort fifty grand out of me. Also, Ophelia and Bryce demanded an open tab at the bar and gift shop. So, all in all, not too unusual these days. But bookings are strong, and we've laid out the sites along the river for the new cottages. Foundations are already going in.”
“That's good news,” Griffen said. “If Vanessa comes back, let me know.”
“I will. No offer to help with Ophelia and Bryce?” I asked and took a generous bite of my sandwich.
Griffen laughed and shook his head. “Savannah has had her team putting in all their extra time on the guest wing. Soon you'll be free of those two, and they'll be my problem. Until then, you can deal with them.”
“Can't argue with that,” I agreed. I glanced at Hope and saw that the stack of saltines was halfway gone. She still looked a little green. “Before we jump into business, I have a question for Hope.”
Hope set down her spoon, tilting her head to the side, her eyes thoughtful as they rested on me. “Is it about Daisy?”
“It is. Are you going to claim girl-code and refuse to talk?”
Hope took another spoonful of soup before she answered. “I don't know yet. Why don't you ask, and I'll tell you if I'm going to answer?”
“Does she have a boyfriend?” I was pretty sure I knew the answer, but I wanted to hear it from Hope.
Hope nibbled on a saltine. “Why are you asking?”
“Because I asked her out, and she said no.”
“Maybe she just doesn't like you,” Griffen threw in.
“Maybe, but I think she does. I think she wanted to say yes.”
“Then why didn't she?” Griffen asked.
I looked to Hope. “Did she say no because of the boyfriend?”
Hope hesitated, then shook her head. “If you tell her I said this, I'll smother you in your sleep.” She glanced at Griffen. “Or I'll have Griffen do it for me. Understood?”
“Understood. I protect my sources. Now, spill.”
“First, tell me why you're asking. Why do you want to go out with her? I know your reputation, and I know the last time you had a serious girlfriend was pretty much never. I love Daisy. She's one of my closest friends in the world and I'm the first person to say she could use a date. But not with some guy who just wants to sleep with her and move on. You know what I mean? So, if that's you, start with the moving on and skip the sleeping with her part.”
Chapter Eleven
royal
I took another bite of my sandwich, chewing as I thought. I definitely wanted to sleep with Daisy. I wanted to get her naked, wanted to lick every inch of her smooth, soft skin, wanted to see her eyes light with desire. I needed to know what her face looked like as she crested into orgasm. Had to see her sated and sleepy after. I wanted all of that.
But not only that. Not only sex. I wanted to see her laugh. A lot. I wanted to talk to her. To be with her. Sex optional—for now.
And wasn't that a new one for me? I usually started with sex and hoped for a quick getaway. Not with Daisy.
“I can't make any promises,” I said carefully. “I don't know her well enough to do that. Not yet. But I know I want to know her better. I like her. I'm absolutely attracted to her, don't get me wrong. Very attracted. But it's not just physical. I'm attracted to her. You know what I mean?”
Hope nodded. “Then I'll tell you this. The boyfriend isn’t a boyfriend. Not like that. I can't explain why because it's not my story and it's not your business unless J.T. decides to share. They love each other, but it's not romantic.”
She looked up at the ceiling for a long moment and took a breath, letting it out in a puff of air. “I think it's habit more than anything at this point. And I think you're right. I think she does like you. Knowing Daisy, that probably scares the heck out of her.”
A weight lifted from my chest at the knowledge that the boyfriend wasn't really a boyfriend. I wasn't the kind of guy who poached on someone else's territory, but the idea of bowing out had burned.