Page 90 of A Little Secret

Not sure why it feels weird to not feel Griffin’s hand touching me when I’ve gone my entire life without it, but hey. It’s totally normal.

Now, if I could only get my stomach to calm down after the near-vomit sesh, I’d be golden.

“You good?” Griffin murmurs. His voice is low and raspy as he stares down at me.

Peeking up at him, I force a smile. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”

“You look like you’re gonna be sick.” His forehead stitches with concern. “Do you want me to?—”

“I’m fine.” I grab his hand to keep him from touching my face and lower it to our sides, releasing a slow breath. “Promise.”

His brows pinch even more. “You sure? You look pale.”

“I’ll be fine, I just”—I take another slow breath and let go of his hand—“need a minute.”

He tugs me to the side of the entryway, keeping us from blocking the front door as he peers down at me. “Fin…”

“Seriously,” I murmur. “All things considered, I’m pretty lucky. That was my first bout with—” My eyes pop, and I clamp my lips shut.

He nods, clearly filling in the blank without needing me to spell it out for him.

Morning sickness.

That was my first bout with morning sickness.

And holy shit, I almost said morning sickness in the middle of a freaking college party. Want to talk about fast-spreading rumors? Yeah, pretty sure that thing would catch like wildfire.

I’ve heard it’s a bitch—morning sickness, not being the star in a rumor mill, although I doubt either is pleasant. If I’m being completely honest, it’s been strange to not experience the rite of passage. So, this? This is only a small hiccup. In fact, it’s already dissipating now that I’m not outside, and the putrid stench of vomit has been replaced with sweaty bodies, alcohol, Febreeze, and Griffin’s cologne. My lips form a small “o” as I let out another slow breath and smile up at Griff.

“Your color’s coming back,” he notes.

“Maybe you’re just good at making a girl blush.”

His eyes fall over my body, then meet my gaze again. “I can think of a thing or two that could make you blush.”

With a smirk, I lift my chin. “Oh, really? Care to tell me?”

“I could show you,” he offers, moving closer, but I press my hand to his chest.

“You could if we weren’t supposed to be lying low, remember?”

He frowns. “Fuck.”

I laugh.

“I almost forgot,” he mutters.

“You almost mademeforget,” I offer. “And we both know I’m stubborn and not afraid to stick to a plan.”

“And go down with it, even if it’s a shitty one,” he quips.

With another laugh, I shove his shoulder. “Hey!”

“Just calling it as I see it.”

“Pretty sure we both agreed to keep a wide berth for tonight.”

He leans closer, towering over me. “Pretty sure I’d claim you in front of everyone right here, right now, if you let me.”