“Glen got a new power tool. Those two were outside, looking at it, for an hour before he went to your parents’ for dinner.”
I smiled. Griffin and his dad were close, so this didn’t surprise me. Both of his parents had been nervous about him opening a bar, but his father had been behind him one hundred percent and even offered to loan him money if he needed it.
“I have one more thing for you,” Camile said as she turned and went toward the kitchen.
I followed her as she opened up a bakery tin and pulled out some cookies to put in a plastic food storage bag.
“I made your favorite cookies, so I thought you’d like to take some home.”
“Chocolate chip?” I asked.
Camile made the best chocolate chip cookies. She’d given me the recipe, and I had attempted to make them a few times. They never tasted as good.
“You bet,” she said.
While Camile put some cookies into a bag for me, I put my scarf, gift card, and plane tickets into the gift bag for safekeeping.
“I hope you’re not mad that Griffin bought me those tickets. I want you to know I didn’t ask for them. They were a total surprise.”
Camile sealed the bag and handed it to me. “I’m not mad.” She smiled reassuringly. “I just worry sometimes.”
I tilted my head. “What do you mean?”
She sighed and looked reluctant to tell me. She stood up straight and said, “I love that Griffin has as good of a friend as you. I’m glad you have each other. I sometimes worry, is all. I worry that having you around prevents him from finding someone. Or if he does find someone, they’ll never compare to you. I mean, how would a new girlfriend feel when she finds out that Griffin is going to Europe with another woman?”
I gave my response some thought before I said anything.
“I understand your fears. I would never stand in Griffin’s way of being with someone. And you might not know it, but he does date. Many times, they don’t get serious enough for him to introduce you to them.”
“That’s what worries me. What if he doesn’t get serious because of you?”
I shook my head. “Trust me, he’s always ended things for the right reasons. And until recently, I had my own boyfriend. I really don’t think I’d stop Griffin from finding someone.” I squeezed Camile’s arm. “And if it helps, if he did find someone before the trip, I would pay him for his ticket and take someone else. Or maybe his new girlfriend could come with us.” I swallowed, not liking the idea of Griffin with someone. I especially didn’t like the thought of being the third wheel on my own birthday trip. I already had negative feelings toward this imaginary girlfriend. “Either way, I would never do something that would make the woman he was dating uncomfortable.”
Camile pulled me into a hug. “Thanks for understanding, Madeline. I can see why Griffin likes you so much.”
I patted Camile’s back, but I couldn’t quite make myself feel as happy as she was.
Sixteen
Madeline
Tuesday evening, I got home from work to find Harris sitting in his car in my driveway.
I hadn’t heard anything from him since I’d left his house almost a week ago. Not a phone call or a text. Which was perfectly fine by me. It only made me more confused about what he was doing at my home.
I opened my garage door and pulled inside but didn’t close it behind me, like I normally would.
I got out of my car the same time Harris exited his.
He had a smile on his face and flowers in his hand.
Standing there, stunned, I could only watch as he approached me.
“Harris, I didn’t expect to see you.”
“I thought we’d left things on bad terms last week.”
When he reached me, he handed me the flowers and went to kiss me. Quickly, I turned my head, so he got my cheek instead of my lips.
Harris pursed his lips but didn’t say anything about my brush-off.
“You might as well come in,” I told him.
While I didn’t really want him in my house because I wanted him to leave right away, it was cold out, and I didn’t feel like shivering. Also, this would be a good time for me to give him back his things that he had left at my place. I had managed to pack it up over the weekend.
He followed me inside, and I went to my cupboards to find a vase for the flowers. I didn’t appreciate his gesture, but it wasn’t the flowers’ fault.
“Smells good in here.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I put a roast in the Crock-Pot this morning.” I loved coming home and not having to worry about cooking dinner.
“I love roast.”
I looked over my shoulder at him in confusion from the sink, where I was filling the vase with water. “Since when?”
He shrugged. “Since forever.”
I shook my head and went back to the flowers.
I didn’t ever remember Harris liking roast before. I thought he had eaten it at my house once, and if I remembered correctly, he hadn’t been too impressed.
“A home-cooked meal is always nice after being on the road.”
Ah. Now, I understood. He was hinting at me to invite him for dinner.
That wasn’t going to happen.
I finished putting the flowers in the vase and turned around. “I’m sorry. It’s a small roast, and Griff is already coming over for dinner,” I lied.
His lips pursed again. “I was hoping we could talk.”
I sighed. “Harris, we don’t really have anything to talk about.” I pushed away from the counter. “Give me a minute. I’ll be right back.”
I went to the guest bedroom, grabbed his box of junk I had collected, and brought it back to him. Setting it on the counter, I said, “Here is your stuff. If I forgot anything, let me know.”
Hopefully, this would send a message loud and clear that I didn’t want to talk to him about anything.
Harris went to the box, picked up a few things, and put them back. “I don’t understand why things have to end. You and I had a good thing going.”
I turned my head away and rolled my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I looked back at him. I put my hands together for emphasis. “Harris, you made no effort to celebrate my birthday, but even worse, you didn’t even tell me you were going to be out of town until I asked. The worst part is, you weren’t—and probably still aren’t—even sorry.”
“But I am sorry. The flowers are me apologizing.”
I threw up my hands. “My birthday is only part of it.” I used my fingers to start ticking off a list. “You don’t like my friends, we haven’t had sex in months, and we’re just plain not right for each other.”
“I like your friends,” he protested. “And I would love to take you to bed right now.”
I put my hand up. “No, thank you.” I shuddered. “And you don’t like my friends.”
“Okay. Then, how about I make more of an effort to like them?”
I tilted my head to the side. “I don’t understand. Why do you want to be with me so badly?”
“I like you, Madeline.”
Yeah, well, I don’t like you.
“Harris, we were together over a year, and you and I never said the words I love you.” I raised my eyebrows. “Don’t you think that’s a sign that things weren’t great between us?”
“I think you and I only need more time.”
I shook my head. “I think we had plenty of time.” I didn’t want to have this conversation anymore. “Did I forget anything?” I pointed to the box.
“No.” Harris wasn’t going to let me change the subject. “Will you at least have dinner with me this weekend?”
“No, thank you.”
“If that’s the way you want it,” he said and marched toward my living room and what I assumed was out the front door. He could have just gone back the way he had come in through the garage, but I had to give it to Harris for being dramatic.
“You forgot your stuff,” I said, realizing he’d left it on the c
ounter. I chased after him. I really didn’t want him to have an excuse to see me again.
But he wasn’t going toward the front door; he was headed for the recliner in my living room.
I had to do something to end this.
“I had sex with someone else,” I blurted out.
Harris paused and slowly pivoted. He cleared his throat. “When was this?”
“This weekend.”
“Then, I forgive you,” he said with a slight head nod.
“Uhhh…I don’t need you to forgive me. We broke up.” I practically yelled the last word.
“Which is precisely why I forgive you. I think we can move past this hump in our relationship now that you got that out of your system.” He turned back around and sat down. “Now, since you don’t want to go to dinner, we can talk right here, right now.”
I groaned and stomped back to the kitchen, where I’d left my purse. I pulled out my phone and began typing furiously.
Seventeen
Griffin
I had just poured a drink for a customer when my phone buzzed twice in my pocket.
“Excuse me,” I said and went to my office. I tried not to be on my phone at the bar unless I had to.
It was Madeline.
Mads: 911! Harris was waiting in my driveway when I got home from work and now, he won’t leave! He’s determined to get back together. I even told him that I slept with someone else this weekend, and he still won’t leave! Please help.
* * *
Mads: P.S. I lied and told him you were eating dinner at my house. We’re having roast beef.
I walked back out to the bar. “Mitch, I have a slight emergency. Can you handle things?”
Mitch looked around at the less than impressive Tuesday crowd. “I think I can manage,” he said sarcastically.
“Good. Call Casey if you need help,” I said as I pushed open the door.
“I was joking.”
“I know.”
I rushed to my car and pushed the speed limit all the way to Madeline’s. I wasn’t really worried that Harris would do anything to hurt her, but sometimes, previously decent guys lashed out.
When I got to her house, I pulled into the driveway behind Madeline. I’d wanted to park behind Harris simply to make his life more difficult, but that would defeat the purpose of getting him to leave.
I also had to resist the urge to key his car door as I walked toward the house.
I walked in through the garage without knocking and immediately noticed the flowers on the counter. They looked like some bouquet he had quickly grabbed off the shelf without any thought.
I could hear Harris talking in the living room. There wasn’t any yelling, so I took that as a good sign.
I took my coat off and pulled up the sleeves of my long-sleeved shirt.
When I came around the corner, I saw Harris sitting with his legs crossed and speaking as if he were trying to sell something.
Madeline was sitting on the couch with her head leaning against the back and an arm over her eyes.
“What’s going on here?” I asked.
Harris jumped, and Madeline sat up.
“Oh, thank God,” she muttered.
I smiled at her reassuringly.
Harris turned in his seat. “If you don’t mind, Madeline and I are having a discussion.”
I walked around his chair until I faced him. “Yeah, well, it looks like Madeline doesn’t want to have this conversation with you. I believe she told you that things were over between you two.”
Harris stood and moved closer to me.
Madeline got up from the couch, but I held up my hand at my side to let her know I had this.
I gave Harris a deadpan look and crossed my arms. He wasn’t the least bit intimidating. He was fit, but I was taller and had more muscle. I didn’t want to brag, but if the we got in a fight, I could easily win.
“The two of us are none of your business, Griffin.”
“It is when she texts me that you won’t leave.”
Harris turned his eyes to Madeline with an accusing look.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her turn her head away in guilt.
“Besides, Madeline and I have dinner plans tonight. You’re kind of ruining them.”
Harris clenched his jaw. “Madeline accused me of not liking her friends. But that’s not exactly true. It’s just you I don’t like.”
My brow went up. “Am I supposed to be offended by this? I don’t like you either.”
Eyes narrowing, he said, “You think you’re so wonderful because you’re the best friend. But that’s all you’ll ever be. Griffin Davis: permanent friend.”
I looked at Madeline and pointed to Harris with my thumb. “Hey, Mads, Harris knows my last name.” I tapped my forehead. “I think he’s more bothered by us being friends than he lets on.”
She looked at me with a half-smile, half-grimace expression.
I turned back to Harris and hoped that Madeline wouldn’t be upset with me for what I was about to do.
The guy was like a dog with a bone, and he wasn’t going to give up on Madeline if he thought that he had any sort of chance. I needed to make sure he knew he didn’t have one.
I stepped forward. “What if I told you that Madeline and I are no longer just friends?”
Harris’s eyes darted between Madeline and back to me several times. “Bullshit.”
“I believe she told you that she slept with someone this weekend?”
“Yes, she did. But it wasn’t you.”
“Are you sure about that?”
He hesitantly raised his chin. “I am.”
“Then, how do I know about the little mole on the inside of her thigh, right next to her pussy?”
Harris’s eyes widened, and he lost some color to his face.
But I kept going. “Not even a best friend would know about that.”
He swallowed.
“But maybe you don’t know about the mole because you never bothered to pay that close of attention to her.” I lifted a shoulder. “I mean, if you had, then she wouldn’t have been asking me to make her come.”
“You’re lying,” Harris hissed.
I chuckled. “No lie, man.” I licked my bottom lip. “And holy shit, was it worth it. She’s beautiful when she comes, am I right?” I grimaced. “Oh, sorry, I forgot, you couldn’t make her do that.” I patted him on the shoulder. “It’s okay. You’ll just have to take my word for it.”
Harris surprised the hell out of me when he tried to take a swing at me.
But I was faster.
I caught his fist and pulled his arm behind his back as I got so close that our bodies touched. “Madeline doesn’t want to be with you. The sooner you accept that, the sooner we can all move on because she’s mine now. Got it? I don’t let anyone touch what’s mine.”
I spun Harris around and led him to the front door.
“Don’t show up here again,” I said as I opened the door and pushed him out onto the front steps.
“Wait,” Madeline said. “His stuff.”
She ran to her kitchen and came back with a box.
I plucked it out of her hands and shoved it into Harris’s chest. “Good-bye, Harris,” I said and slammed the door in his face.
I took a deep breath and began preparing my apology to my best friend.
Eighteen
Madeline
I stood, stunned, as Griffin slowly turned around. I was actually surprised I had been able to collect my thoughts enough to remember to give Harris his box of stuff.
My best friend had a sheepish look as he faced me. “I’m sorry, Mads, for going all caveman. I didn’t know how else to get rid of your stupid ex. I want you to know that I don’t think any man can actually claim a woman as his. You belong to you, and even if we were dating, I would never think that I owned you or—”
I marched over to him and pulled him in for a kiss.
All tension left his body, and he grabbed my ass, pulling m
e close as he kissed me back.
“I probably shouldn’t think this,” I managed to say between me attacking his mouth, “but that was fucking hot as hell.”
I felt him smile against my lips before he swept his tongue into my mouth.
I moaned and sucked on it. “Bedroom. Now,” I managed to gasp out.
Griffin picked me up, and my legs went around his hips as he carried me to my room.
The two of us landed on the end of my bed, our bodies still intertwined. I squeezed my hands between our bodies, aiming for Griffin’s fly. I didn’t need any buildup; I’d had all the foreplay I required with all of Griffin’s “she’s mine” talk.
After some maneuvering, I managed to unbutton his pants and lower the zipper. I wrapped my fingers around his cock and squeezed.
He pulled his mouth away from mine with a gasp.
“Feel good?”
“Stupid question.” He groaned as I pumped him. “You know it feels good.”
I looked him in the eye. “I want you inside me, like yesterday.”
He chuckled but lost his smile as his eyes rolled up in his head. “We need…fuck, Madeline, that feels good.” Deep breath. “We need a condom.”
I pointed up toward my head. “Nightstand drawer.”
Griffin pulled off his shirt and kicked off his pants before crawling up my body. His dick bobbed right over my chest, so I lifted my head and licked the tip.
Such a shame I had forgotten to see what he tasted like on Friday.
It was a good thing I could remedy that right now.
I barely sucked the head in my mouth before it was taken away from me.
“Hey, I was playing with that,” I said to his face when we were eye-level once again.
“Later. Right now, you need to take off your clothes, especially your pants.”
I grinned. “Not until I get to play.”
Griffin just lifted his brow and shook his head.
My Favorite Mistake Page 8