Darcy was full and she pushed her second taco to the side of her plate untouched. “Why me, Griffin? What’s so special about me?”
“Oh no, you’re not going to pry that secret out of me. Aren’t you going to eat that taco?” When she shook her head, he reached over and added it to his plate.
“That isn’t fair,” Darcy insisted. “You said no secrets.”
“I didn’t realize you were listening.”
Darcy hung on his every word, but that would remain her secret. “Occasionally I take note of your ramblings.”
Griffin shot her a highly skeptical glance, but kept right on eating. “I swear these are the best tacos I’ve ever eaten. You’re an excellent cook.”
“Thank you, but you did more than half the work.”
Having finished his fifth taco, Griffin finally pushed his plate aside and again wiped his hands on a fresh napkin. “We’re a good team.”
“If an unlikely one.”
“I disagree. Are you sure you won’t come to Seattle with me?”
“Are you sure you won’t go whale watching with me?”
“Positive. But before I forget, your sketches looked great, and I signed your estimate.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out the folded form. “Here you are. When can you begin?”
“I’ll finish as much as I can while you’re out of town. That way the noise and dust won’t bother you.”
“But I won’t get to watch you work either. I’ll have a key made for you, so if you want to go inside and take a nap or a shower, you can.”
“That’s very considerate of you, but—”
“But nothing. Use the house, live there if you like. Several lights have timers so it looks as though the house is occupied, but it would be better if som
eone were actually there.”
“Your house is huge. I’d probably get scared staying there all alone.”
Griffin straightened slightly. “I’ll not have you staying there with one of your crew.”
Darcy laughed at the absurdity of that threat. “They’re a great bunch of guys, but there’s no danger in that.”
“That’s a relief. Now let’s do the dishes.” He got up and carried their plates and glasses into the kitchen.
“Make yourself at home,” Darcy called.
“I’ll be glad to. Go lie down on the sofa and rest until I have your kitchen sparkling again.”
“Griffin, really, it didn’t sparkle in the first place.”
“Of course it did. Go.”
“Oh, all right.” Darcy kicked off her flats and stretched out on the sofa. It was covered in a nubby dark green fabric that blended in perfectly with the profusion of house plants. She positioned a throw pillow beneath her head, yawned and closed her eyes.
She heard Griffin rattling around in the kitchen cleaning up and wondered if George was also giving him advice on how to score points with a woman. She covered a wide yawn and dozed a bit before Griffin sat at the end of the couch and began to rub her feet.
“You’re either worn out, or bored witless. Which is it?” he asked.
Darcy wiggled her toes. He captivated her on every level, but he already thought too highly of himself, even if it was deserved. “Perhaps it’s your constant need for praise rather than your frequent absences which sends women running.”
Griffin gave her big toe a playful nibble.