“Dance with me?” he whispers in my ear. He doesn’t let me answer before he’s climbing to his feet and pulling me with him. He wraps me in his arms, and I rest my head against his chest. I can feel the heavy rhythm of his heartbeat. He holds me as if I’m the most precious thing in his world, and it brings tears to my eyes. I can’t believe I came to Florida for spring break and ended up falling for this guy. Not only that, he’s my boyfriend, and we live almost thirteen hours away from each other.
When “10,000 Hours” begins to play, he softly sings the lyrics to me. We’re barely swaying by the time the song ends, and there are tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat.
“I never knew I could feel like this. I didn’t know I could fall for someone so quickly,” he tells me.
“I feel it too.”
“We’re going to make this happen, Peyton. I promise you we will.”
“Come on,” I tell him. “Your friends are missing you.”
“I see them every day. My time with you is dwindling fast.” We make it to the fire, and Karina is folding up her towel.
“Hey, I’m drained,” she tells us. “Oliver said he would walk me back to the hotel.”
“We’re going too,” Griffin answers. We hadn’t talked about that, but I know we’re both on edge with the time of my flight getting closer and closer.
I squeeze his hand, and he looks down at me, giving me his full attention. “I’m not ready to leave you,” I say in a hushed voice.
“I’m not leaving. I’m staying with you tonight.”
“You are?”
“Yeah, I already told Parker and Holden.”
“When?”
“When you were in the shower earlier.”
“What did you say?” I can only imagine the conversation and how it went over.
“I told them that you mean a lot to me and that it’s killing me that you’re leaving in the morning. I told them I wasn’t willing to be away from you until the minute I had to. I hate to leave you at security at the airport and that it would be easier on you if we stayed there, but if they were against that, we would stay at my place again.”
“Oh my God! You did not.”
He turns his back to our friends and lifts my chin. “I did. I told you. I’m not leaving you until I absolutely have to.”
“What did they say?”
“Parker teared up and nodded her agreement. Holden shook my hand, and that was it.”
“You’re staying with me?” Hot tears prick my eyes.
“I’m staying with you. And I’m driving you to the airport, and I’m not leaving your side until I have to. I almost bought a ticket just so that I could sit with you while you wait for your flight.”
“That’s crazy.”
“I know. The flight was sold out.”
“Griffin!”
He winks and turns back to our friends. “I’ll catch you guys later.”
“You going to be home later?” Oliver asks him.
“No. I’m staying with my girl. I’ll be around tomorrow after I get home from the airport.” My belly flops when he calls me his girl. “Ready?” he asks.
“I need to get my towel.”
He drops my hand and makes quick work of picking up the towel and shaking out the sand before folding it and coming back to me. He laces his fingers through mine and nods at Oliver, and then we’re walking. The four of us make the trek back up the beach to our hotel. Oliver and Karina chat back and forth, but Griffin and I are both quiet.
“You need a ride tomorrow?” Oliver asks Griffin.
“Nah, I have my Jeep here. Thanks, though.”
“Hit me up tomorrow when you get back.” He leans in and hugs Karina, whispering something in her ear that makes her laugh before she swats at his arm as he steps back from her.
“Have a safe flight.” Karina gives me a hug, then turns to face Griffin. “If you hurt her, I’ll fly here and rip your balls off.” She’s dead serious, not a glimmer of a smile anywhere in her expression. My best friend is fiercely loyal.
We step onto the elevator, and Griffin turns to face her, his hand still holding tightly to mine.
“I don’t want to hurt her, Karina. I’d hurt myself before that happened.”
“How about neither of you gets hurt? I like what’s behind door number three much better, don’t you?” She finally lets her grin tilt her lips.
“Done.”
“I’ll call you when I land,” Karina tells me as the door slides open, dropping her off at her floor. She waves as the doors close, and it’s just the two of us.
When we reach our floor, we step out of the elevator together. My hands shake as I tap our key card on the door, and the light flashes green. The room is dark and quiet. Parker’s bedroom door is open, so I know she’s not here. Without a word, I lead Griffin into my room, then close and lock the door behind us.