I smiled and thanked her, not sure what else to say about the mention of her brother. “Derek doesn’t go after life the way Creed does. He isn’t one to live spontaneously. He’s too career-driven and focused,” she sighed. “My brother is boring.”
“Career-driven and focused is a good thing, I think. Griff is that way,” I said then glanced over at the stage. “I think not knowing or understanding someone makes it harder to trust them.”
Fleur didn’t say anything just drank her water.
After a few moments, she rested the bottle on her knee. “I don’t know. I think the guessing makes life fun. Too much focus can lead to dull and boring. My husband, Josh, I never know what that man is going to come up with next, but I trust him without question.” She seemed so secure as she spoke of her husband. I was happy for her and a little envious. I missed Griff and having him near me. When we had been at Vanderbilt, we had spent every day together We had studied together or at least in the same room.
Now, he barely called, and I didn’t even know what he was doing this weekend. He hadn’t called to tell me. I missed him…I missed us.
“I’m glad Creed brought you. Last time he brought someone, she was annoying. Kept sending drinks back to the bar with complaints and our bartender is the best. If she hadn’t been here with Creed, I’d have told her to leave. I did ask him not to bring her back.”
I had seen some of the females Creed spent time with. I wasn’t surprised.
“I’m glad he brought me. I love your place and it was good to see you.”
She leaned forward and sat her bottle on the table. “Come back with or without Creed.”
I nodded. “I plan to,” I told her. “I’ll bring Griff when he’s in town.”
Fleur smiled then stood up. “I need to go check on things in the back and make sure the lady at table five is happy with her special order.”
I watched her go then turned to look back at the stage, just as Creed greeted the crowd and began to play. His eyes met mine as his he began to sing. A warmth that seemed to come with Creed Sullivan’s gaze ran through me. I felt guilty as I shivered but I didn’t look away. His deep voice was mesmerizing. The corner of his mouth lifted in a crooked grin as he continued to look at me.
It felt like we were the only people in the room. Although it was only eye contact the power of it excited …and scared me.
thirteen
November 9, 2019
The weather wasn’t going to get much warmer than it had been yesterday, although the weatherman said we would see a high of forty-one degrees. Yesterday, we never got over thirty-seven. I had called Griff twice yesterday and then left him a text before I went to bed. He still hadn’t returned my call or text and it was eight thirty in the morning. I was going to assume he was not coming since it was Saturday and he’d not found time to call and tell me when to expect him.
I was snuggling under a heated blanket with a cup of coffee in one hand and the other tucked under the covers. I didn’t see a reason I should leave the house today. I could clean, unpack the last two boxes, and order some thicker curtains for the bedroom. I had read that it helped keep the room warmer in cold months. Might as well try it.
My phone was beside me on the table when it began ringing at exactly eight forty-two. I sat my coffee down and picked it up seeing Griff’s name on the screen. Excitement that I might be seeing him today took over and I jerked it up ready to hear the sound of his voice.
“Hello!” I said cheerfully into the phone.
“Hey, babe. Keeping warm?”
“I am currently in front of the fire under a heated blanket. And you?”
He chuckled. “Yeah. I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you yesterday. Class went long then we headed to the library for some study material. By the time we were back in the apartment, I was too tired to do anything but eat a sandwich and crash. When I woke up on the sofa, it was too late to call you.”
That made sense. I felt guilty for being mad at him yesterday for not at least texting me back. “It’s okay. I hope you got some rest.”
“I was up at four back on this paper.” He paused, and I knew without him saying anymore that Griff was not coming today. I let the sting of disappointment come then I shoved it away. I was dating a man in med school. I had to adjust. “I don’t think I can make it this weekend.”