Griff’s attention swings my way. “And you?”
I rise from my chair, move to his side, and drape myself across his lap. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I put my face right in his so we’re staring at each other. “Are you sure? I don’t want you taking a job you don’t want within the FBI just to keep us here in Pittsburgh. I want you to be happy at what you’re doing.”
“I will be,” he assures me. “And part of me being happy is you being happy too. And I know how important your career is to you. How important the people at Jameson are. They’re important to me now too.”
I can’t even respond. Don’t care I’m at the table with my mom and kid. I give Griff the biggest, hottest, most promising kiss I’ve ever bestowed on him, causing us both to see stars when it’s all said and done.
As I pull back, he chuckles. “I take it that’s a firm ‘yes’ I should accept the job.”
“It’s a yes,” I confirm, giving him a softer kiss this time.
One that simply says, I love you.
My phone starts ringing. I would normally ignore it, but it’s Kynan’s ringtone. Despite the fact it’s after hours, I’m never truly off the clock when the boss calls.
Leaning in, I snag one more kiss before hopping off Griff’s lap and moving to the counter to nab my phone.
I answer, lean back against the counter, and listen as Kynan speaks. A chill races up my spine, and my chest starts to constrict. Griff watches me and his expression becomes pinched, because he’s reading my body language. My mom and Aaron joke around as they continue to eat, but Griff rises out of his chair and moves toward me.
Kynan finishes by saying, “I need you to come in now.”
“I’ll be there in half an hour,” I assure him before disconnecting the phone.
Griff comes toe to toe with me, bends his head close to mine, and asks, “What is it?”
I look up, almost afraid to even speak the words out loud for fear they might not really be true. My hand goes to his chest, mainly for support.
His heartbeat feels steadying under my fingertips. Still, my voice quavers when I say, “They think they found Malik… and he’s alive.”