She's My Kind of Girl (6 page)

Chapter Twelve

Back on the road, an uncomfortable silence had taken hold of the car, all the heat and desire from before, gone. Griffin glanced at Darcy who stared out the window, fingertips pressed to her lips, apparently deep in thought.

They might have years separating them, but he still knew her, still remembered. She was upset. He just didn't know why.

He brushed her leg, and she moved away. “Darce, talk to me.”

“There's nothing to say.” Her tone was flat, with no emotion. “What happened back there was a mistake.”

In the darkness of the rural road he couldn't see her expression, and it frustrated him. “Was it?”

“Yes.” She seemed to blow out a deep breath. “Can you take me home?”

“All right.” He clenched the steering wheel. “Are you upset because Charlie saw us? I can promise you he won't say a word.”

She huffed and shook her head. “You're such an idiot.”

He turned left onto her street and pulled up in front of her tiny house. It was run-down and dilapidated. The small porch sagged on one side. It looked old and abandoned, ready to move on from its life as a home. Ironic that it was the one thing standing in the way. He could take the house, he had the legal grounds to do so, he'd made sure of it. But at what cost?

Darcy wouldn't forgive him.

Did he need her forgiveness? Did it matter? She'd fight him until he won and was forced to play his hand and take her mom's house away. After, she'd leave to go back to her life in New York, where she wanted nothing to do with him or Revival.

So what did forgiveness matter?

He looked at her. She still stared out the window, but made no effort to leave his car.

He took that as a sign to talk.

“Why am I an idiot?” he asked, shifting in his seat to face her, despite the fact that she didn't look at him.

Seconds ticked by as he waited for her answer, and when he thought she wouldn't give him one, she spoke. “I hated the way I grew up. Hated that everyone assumed I was trash just because of where I came from.”

“I hated that too.” He had. His daddy had been rotten to the core, and Griffin had looked just like him. Everyone assumed the apple hadn't fallen far from the tree, and, growing up, Griffin had done whatever he could to exceed those expectations.

“When I left this town, I swore I'd never let anyone treat me like that again.”

“That's a good thing.”

She turned to face him then, and her cold expression sent a chill right through him. “You just did.”

He frowned at her. “I don't understand.”

“All you cared about was that Charlie wouldn't tell anyone.” She waved a hand, and it sliced through the small space that separated them. “You're one of them now. I'm still an outsider. Still not fit for company. And I'm sure as hell not good enough for the now king of this stupid town.”

Anger rose in his chest. “That's bullshit.”

“It's not.”

He shook his head, trying and failing to keep hold of his temper. “That had nothing to do with you. And I'm not going to apologize for making something of myself. I'm not going to apologize for caring about the town I live in and wanting to see it thrive.”

“You didn't make something of yourself!” she yelled, clutching her purse with tight fingers. “You sold out.”

“Why?” He waved a hand in her direction. “Because I didn't go to some big city like you did? I don't want that life. I like walking down the street and knowing all the faces. I like not being able to walk into the local diner without having to have a conversation with someone. I like knowing I can leave my doors open in the summer. I chose not to run away. Which is a hell of a lot more than I can say about you.”

“Yeah, well, good for you.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “But I told you I'm not going to be your dirty little secret.”

He narrowed his eyes at her. “That was not about hiding
you
. I'm the mayor. I can't go around bringing women to my house.”

“So you have to hide who you are to be accepted.”

“No, I protect the reputation I've built. There's nothing wrong with that.”

She scoffed. “Pretending to be a choirboy when you're clearly not, that's real honest.”

He gritted his teeth. God, she was the most frustrating woman. And she was pushing all his buttons, just like she always did. “You're one to talk.”

She jerked her head. “What does that mean?”

“You run an
anonymous
sex blog while talking about how important it is to be open and honest.”

Her eyes widened.

“Oh, yeah, that's right. I found you, Miss Victoria.” He smirked. “It wasn't that hard when you know what to look for.”

She stared at him openmouthed, and he continued: “How are you any better than I am? Did you think after your mom bragged to anyone who would listen that you'd been published in the
New York Times
that I wouldn't Google you? So it was funny when you showed up and told me you wrote a sex blog. A real bad-girl profession, all while pretending you don't write respectable, literary think pieces on sexual politics and gender issues under your
real name
?”

Her expression twisted, and, for one horrible moment, Griffin thought she was going to cry and felt instantly contrite. Instantly sorry.

She wet her lower lip with her tongue. “You're right. Who am I to talk?”

She went to leave, and he gripped her wrist. “Darce, wait.”

“No.” She pulled away. “You're right. But it's not the point. I don't like the way this town makes me feel. I don't like the way you make me feel.”

“How do I make you feel?” He didn't want to know. His stomach already bitter with the knowledge that he'd hurt her.

When she met his gaze, he could see the brightness in her eyes and hated himself for it. “Like I'm not good enough.”

Right then he knew the truth. She'd never worked through any of those childhood feelings; she'd hidden them away and pretended they didn't exist. And being home was forcing her to deal with all of them. That she still saw herself as that teenage girl, convinced everyone was judging her and finding her lacking. “That's not true. Name one person who's treated you badly since you got here.”

“Gina.”

He scoffed. “Gina's jealous of you.”

“I know.” Darcy's voice sounded soft and hurt, and Griffin wanted to take her in his arms.

“Nobody thinks you're not good enough.”

“I know that here.” She touched her temple. “But it doesn't change how I feel.”

“I'm sorry.” He looked away from her.

“I'm sorry too.” She took a deep breath and blew it out. “We're the past and that's where we need to stay. We're not good for each other, Griffin. We don't fit. Not anymore.” She looked away from him. “If you want honest, I'll give it to you.”

He waited. Knowing he'd hate what he heard.

She pressed her lips together for a second before speaking. “I can't
just
have sex with you. I can't have a good time with you in bed and work out this tension between us, because there's too much history there. Too much baggage and hurt. And the truth is, fair or not, I've never really forgiven you for not coming with me. That you loved this town more than me.”

He looked out the window and let the defeat wash over him. “I loved you. You know I couldn't leave my brothers. And I pleaded with you to stay. I asked you to marry me.” He'd never told anyone of that humiliating day when he'd begged her to stay, getting down on one knee and asking her not to leave him.

“I was right to say no. We were kids. It would have ended in disaster.”

“You were right.” It had still fucking gutted him. His dad had taken off, his mom had been sick, and his brothers needed him. It had felt like everything important in his life was falling apart, and she had to insist on leaving. “I'm just saying you're not the only one who got hurt.”

“Then I guess we're even.” Her voice was soft and distant.

“I guess so.”

“I'm sorry.”

“Me too.”

She got out, and he didn't stop her. Didn't even look at her. When he heard the door close, he gunned the engine and drove away.

Chapter Thirteen

Darcy avoided the citizens of Revival for five days and tried her best not to think about Griffin.

She'd done the right thing. She'd severed the threads of the bonds that were trying to tie her to him. They had no future. And she was self-aware enough to know she was too emotionally attached to sleep with him. Just that brief interlude in the car felt enough to ruin her for other men.

But she couldn't stop replaying their argument in her head over and over again. She'd never tell him, but he was the inspiration behind her blog. Way back when she was a girl he'd taught her to own her sexuality, be proud of it. He'd taught her to never settle for less than she deserved. To demand equal pleasure. And to never, ever be afraid to ask for what she wanted.

When she'd moved to New York and finally started dating again, she'd realized Griff was an anomaly. That most men expected her to take a backseat when it came to sex, and that wasn't acceptable to her. The more she talked to her girlfriends, the more she found that was the norm.

So she'd started her blog to empower women.

But Griff was right. She used her real name to write more serious pieces on the social impact of sexuality. Not because she was embarrassed, but because her blog was fun, tongue in cheek and a bit snarky. She wanted those “real” articles to be taken with the credibility they deserved. In her head, she justified her actions because the people who mattered to her knew about her alter ego, and had never thought much about it. How was it any different than what he did?

She supposed, in the end, the semantics of what they hid and revealed was merely a convenient thing to fight about instead of confronting the truth about what really bothered them. That not much had changed since they were eighteen. Age, success, circumstances didn't change the fact that they had no future.

So she was right to pull away. Only she couldn't stop being so miserable without him.

She'd filled her time. She'd talked to lawyers, researched and tried to figure out if there was a way to save her mom's house.

So far she hadn't been able to find one.

She'd thought about staging a protest, but the town was on Griffin's side. They all wanted this project. Thought it would be good for the community.

Only Darcy's mom seemed to want to hold on to the past and be a stubborn obstacle to the future and the path to prosperity. But more and more, Darcy had a hard time getting behind her wishes. Darcy had also looked through the public records and council meetings. She'd read the plans for the town square development that Griffin had appeared to be working on since he'd taken the office of mayor.

She couldn't deny it was spectacular. Couldn't deny what he was trying to do for the community. She also understood it.

Because she knew him and his past, knew the project was a way to exorcise those demons. He was taking a place that was an embarrassment and turning it into the town showpiece. All he wanted was to make their side of the tracks something to be proud of.

Did she really want to deny him that accomplishment?

As a last-ditch effort she'd asked Gracie Roberts to join her for lunch. Maybe without everyone there she could discover something that would allow Darcy to continue her fight in good conscience. Give her something to fight for. It was a long shot, she knew, but her mom was worth the shot.

And Darcy had nothing left to lose.

Chapter Fourteen

An hour later Darcy sat across from Gracie in Earl's Diner. The blonde was dressed in a pair of jeans and a yellow top that hugged her curves and brought out the pink in her complexion.

Gracie smiled and took a sip of her Diet Dr Pepper. “How's it being back in Revival? Must be strange after all these years.”

Darcy looked out the window at the Main Street that hadn't changed much since she'd been a kid. It was still like Mayberry. She shrugged. “Yes and no. It's like a very vivid dream. It's so different from my life in New York, but it kind of feels like home. You know?”

Darcy was surprised the words came out of her mouth, but as soon as she said them she knew they were true. Even though she hadn't realized it. Revival did feel like home, like a comfortable old blanket, or crawling into sweats after a long day in a dress and heels.

Gracie nodded. “I do know. James and I travel back and forth all the time between Revival and Chicago, trying to make a go of this dual residency thing. Sometimes with the bakery in Chicago and school being in session we spend way more time in Chicago and Revival starts to feel like something I can give up.” She smiled again, and waved a hand back toward the window and the people walking down Main Street. “But then I come home—and that's how it feels. Like something I didn't even know I was missing.” She sighed. “We're going to have to make some changes, because the truth is Chicago life is more demanding, but this will always be home.”

Darcy thought of her life in New York. She'd been here over a week and she'd slipped right out of it. She'd written every day, met her deadlines, but she hadn't really thought about her life there. She hadn't called her friends, or missed going to clubs, or gone into withdrawal without a Bloomingdale's.

Although it had only been a week and as soon as she went back, she'd forget all about Revival. At least in theory.

She took a deep breath and decided to get to the heart of the matter so she could enjoy the rest of lunch. “So I have to ask you something.”

“Shoot,” Gracie said, looking interested.

“It's about the town project.”

Gracie raised a brow but didn't say anything.

“I'm caught between a rock and a hard place. Revival isn't my home anymore and I'm not invested in it. I also love my mom and I don't want her to be unhappy. But I also don't want to help her hurt a lot of innocent people, either. So I'm asking, as an old friend, off the record—what do you really think of the project?”

Gracie sat back in the booth, and her expression turned serious. “I think the town needs it, Darcy. Revival needs to be dragged into this century. Without it, the town will slowly perish. I honestly believe it will help revitalize the economy here. This is only the first step of Griffin's plan; the next phase is development by putting money back into the community and businesses. He's worked really hard and faced a lot of opposition, but he believes in what he's doing, and so I do.”

Darcy's shoulders slumped. “That's what I thought.”

Gracie reached across the table and touched Darcy's hand. “I'm sorry it has to hurt your mom, but the reward is great. It will help a whole lot of people in this town. I know you don't have any fondness for this place, and I don't blame you, but it's a good thing for Revival. Even if your mom doesn't see that yet.”

“I read the plans.” Darcy looked out the window and toward city hall. “It's hard to see a downside.”

“It is.”

“She wants me to save her, you know?”

Gracie offered a soft smile. “Who knows, maybe you are. Life has a funny way of working out in ways you don't expect but are better than what you thought you wanted.”

Darcy grinned. “Are we talking about you now?”

Gracie raised her hands in a helpless gesture. “What can I say? I'm living proof. James is nothing like the man I envisioned myself with, but he's about a thousand times better. He gives me everything I didn't even know I needed.”

Darcy stared down into her pop glass, bubbling away. Griffin was exactly the man Darcy envisioned herself with. Even after all these years. She compared any man she dated to him and they always came up short. There was always something.

They weren't as smart as him.

Or as handsome.

They weren't as sexy, or as open.

They didn't know where the clitoris was or how to fix a broken window.

They didn't listen when she talked. Didn't care about her dreams.

But the truth was, they just weren't him.

“Are you thinking about Griffin?” Gracie asked, her voice soft and curious.

Darcy looked up and shrugged. “He's hard not to think about.”

“I can imagine.” Gracie tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “At poker night there were a couple times I thought you two might go at it right on the table.”

Darcy laughed. “He's too proper for that now.”

Gracie rolled her eyes. “Do you honestly think he's fooling anyone with that act?”

The fine hairs on the back of Darcy's neck rose. “Isn't he?”

Gracie huffed. “Oh please. That man has more sex appeal than he knows what to do with. Why do you think every single woman in a fifty-mile radius wants him?”

“Because he's good-looking and in a position of power? Those are the classics, aren't they?”

Gracie laughed. “They don't hurt. But he's got that way about him, doesn't he? He just looks like he fucks dirty and mean.”

Darcy had been taking a sip of her soda and at Gracie's words she started to choke, coughing and sputtering.

Gracie winked. “Tell me I'm not wrong?”

Darcy went hot remembering Griffin and sex, remembering the other night and how crazy he made her. She shrugged. “I haven't slept with him in forever.”

“Maybe you should,” Gracie said, her tone sly.

“You're a horrible influence.”

“I know, everyone says so.” Gracie leaned forward and put her elbows on the table. “Every single woman in town has been working on breaking him, but nobody has been able to manage it. I think he needs to be broken, and I think you're the woman to do it.”

Darcy bit her bottom lip not wanting to think about Griffin in bed and thinking about it anyway. Her chest felt heavy with want, and she decided to admit the truth. At least to someone, and she could trust Gracie. Everyone knew she kept secrets. “As much as I'd like to, I can't.”

“Why not?” Gracie asked, as though it was easy.

Darcy looked out the window and pressed her fingertips to her lips. “I don't think I can and not fall right back in love with him.” Her eyes filled with tears, and she shook her head, feeling ridiculous. “How stupid is that?”

“Not stupid at all,” Gracie said, her voice lowered with sympathy. “I do understand.”

She looked back at the other woman. “He's my weakness.”

Gracie nodded, her expression twisted and then flashed with guilt. “You're probably not going to like this.”

“What?” Darcy said, her heart speeding up to a gallop in an instant.

Gracie handed her a napkin. “He's coming this way.”

Darcy frantically wiped under her eyes. “What? Why?”

Gracie's features turned chagrined. “Um, I'm sorry, but I kind of texted him and told him you were here.”

“
You did?
Why?”

“Because I asked her to.” Griffin's voice filled her senses and sent a rush of goose bumps over her skin.

She turned and met his gaze. It had only been five days since she'd seen him, since he'd touched her, and it felt like an eternity. “Why would you do that?”

“I wanted to make a grand gesture.”

Her head hurt. She was so confused. “What are you talking about?”

“You're not my dirty little secret, Darce.”

Her heart gave a hard thump.

He cleared his throat and said in a loud, booming voice, “Attention, everyone. Can I please have your attention?”

The room seemed to still and go eerily quiet as a hush fell over the diner.

Darcy glanced frantically around and hissed, “What are you doing?”

Across from her Gracie grinned, her expression extremely excited.

Griffin smiled what Darcy was sure was his politician's smile. “As many of you know, Darcy Miller and I used to date. And we caused our fair share of trouble.” He gave the crowd an “aw shucks” look.

People laughed and looked at her with interest.

She tugged at his arm. “Griffin, stop this.”

He ignored her and continued to address the townspeople. “We're older and wiser now. And I wanted to let you know that I intend on resuming my relationship with Darcy for as long as she'll let me.
If
she'll let me. If you have any objections, I don't really care what they are. My personal life has no bearing on my ability to run the town. All I can promise is that if Darcy agrees to go on a date with me tonight, our activities will not include defacement of public property.”

There was another laugh.

Griffin turned to her and smiled down at her, his dimples flashing. “So, Darcy Miller, what do you say? Will you go out with me? To Rock's Steakhouse and sit at the center table while the town of Revival judges everything we do?”

She stared at him for a good fifteen seconds, her mouth hanging open, her eyes wide with shock. She thought about the risks and then thought of being on her deathbed. If she said no, she'd regret it.

Gracie kicked her under the table, shaking her from her stupor.

She cleared her throat. “How can I say no to an offer like that?”

“You can't.”

Before she could speak, he leaned down, wrapped his fingers around her neck, and kissed her in front of half the town. And it wasn't just any kiss. It was mean. Full of aggression and tongue. When he let her go, she was breathless, panting up at him. He brushed her mouth with his and said, “I'll pick you up at eight.”

Stunned, all she could do was blink at him.

He straightened. “For those of you who didn't hear that, I said I'd pick her up at eight and then we're headed to Rock's.”

He turned back to her. Touched her cheek, rubbed his thumb over her wet, swollen lips. “See you tonight.”

Then, whistling, he waved to the crowd, and walked out of Earl's Diner and down Main Street like he didn't have a care in the world.

Dumbfounded, Darcy stared unblinking at Gracie who wore a huge grin.

She laughed. “See, this is why I meddle.”

Darcy pointed out the window. “Am I going on a date with Griffin?”

“You are,” Gracie said.

Wow. She blinked. Opened her mouth to speak and then closed it again. She shook her head and met Gracie's amused eyes. “I need to go shopping.”

Gracie grabbed her purse. “I know just the place. It's not Nordstrom's, but it will do.”