That Second Chance (Getting Lucky #1)(24)

“Oh, Griffin.” She shakes her head in mock disappointment. “And here I thought you were better than that.”

I chuckle quietly. “So are you all settled in the house?”

“For the most part. There are some things I desperately need from a department store in order to function, so I’ll call Bart tomorrow and have him take me to the nearest store that’s not an artisanal bakery.”

Brig’s comment about her borrowing my truck rings through my mind. “You know, if you need someone to drive you,” I blurt out, “I have to head up north to grab some stuff myself. You can always hitch a ride with me.”

“Really?” She brightens. “Are you sure I wouldn’t be imposing?”

Imposing? Yeah, there will be some imposing, but only because I’m beginning to crave this woman’s company, and that’s terrifying on many levels.

For one, I don’t want to be in a relationship or even consider the possibility. And two . . . no, I’m not going to let myself think about it.

Even though I want to retract my statement as quickly as it left me, I soldier on. “Not at all. I could show you around Pottsmouth.”

“Pottsmouth?”

“The town about twenty miles north that will have everything you need.”

“They couldn’t have picked a better name?”

I chuckle, turning back toward the ocean, a breezy feeling passing over me. “I think they ran out of names by the time they made it farther up north. Pottsmouth, Houndshead, and Coxachy are some of my favorites.”

“Coxachy? What is that even? Well, thank goodness we live in whimsical Port Snow, right?”

I lean toward her. “Originally named Duck Foot, Maine, until 1946, when it was voted to change to Port Snow.”

Her mouth falls open, humor playing at the corners of her eyes. “It was not named Duck Foot, Maine.”

I nod gravely. “Afraid so. Thankfully the mayor at the time saw its potential as a tourist town and pushed for a name change.”

“Sheesh.” She studies the ocean. “Port Snow is so much better.”

“I couldn’t agree more.”





CHAPTER SEVEN





GRIFFIN


“Why are you rushing now?” Jen asks as I stack the twenties up and rubber band them together.

“I have to head up north, want to get it done as quickly as possible,” I half lie. Plus, I unthinkingly told Ren to meet me here so we could take off right when I finished work. I check the clock for what feels like the hundredth time; she should be here in five minutes.

“Ah, that’s why you drove your truck to work. I thought that was weird.”

“Yeah, just want to get up and back as quickly as possible. You know I hate going to Pottsmouth.”

True fact. I’m really a small-town type of guy and avoid larger cities as much as possible. Pottsmouth is a college town, full of traffic and hipsters.

There’s really nothing wrong with a hipster, but when they look at me with those judgmental eyes, as if to ask, Why haven’t you grown a beard? it puts me in a bad mood.

But for a tourist, Pottsmouth is another town to check off your list of places to visit. Rich with history, it’s been through its fair share of fires, crime, and social change. Known for its unique restaurants and bar tours, it’s crawling with people, and I avoid it like the plague, but it does boast the closest Walmart, which is what Ren needs.

I spent last night trying to think up things I needed to get from the store because, frankly, I don’t need anything; I was just being a nice guy. So I came up with a list of basic essentials.

I think I also put laundry basket on my list. I do need one of those. The handles on mine broke weeks ago. So at least the trip won’t be a complete loss.

“I’m surprised you’re actually going up there. You normally order things online before you drive up north.”

Isn’t that the truth.

“Yeah, uh, needed a laundry basket.” From the look on Jen’s face, laundry basket isn’t going to cut—

The door to the shop rings.

Shit.

I don’t have to look up to know who it is. I cringe to myself as Ren’s head pokes through, blowing my cover completely.

“Uh, sorry, I wasn’t sure if I should come in or not. I can wait outside.”

I force a smile, avoiding all eye contact with Jen. “You can come in. I’ll be right there. I’m just going to stick this money in the safe in the back.”

Without another word, I turn and make my way to the office, Jen hot on my heels. Before I can say anything, she jumps in with her stupid oohing sounds.

“Oh myyyy, just have to get a laundry basket, huh?”

“Can you not right now?”

She pokes me in my side, annoying the shit out of me immediately. “You like her, don’t you?”

“She’s a neighbor who needed a ride; I offered her one.” I stuff the money in the safe and snap it shut. “That’s it. Please, for the love of Christ, don’t make this a thing.”

Jen is wearing a shit-eating grin when I face her. “Oh no, I am so making a thing out of this. I don’t get much to talk about around here, between the store and the kids. I think this is the most excitement I’ve had in a month.”