Chapter 5

5

HARPER

G riffin was right – the pizza at Jim's is astounding. He was also right about ordering some pasta to go with it. Not just because it was positively delicious, but also because the act of sharing food with him felt really sweet. He was extremely concerned that we got precisely equal amounts, even though I told him that I'm a lot smaller than he is and don't need as much fuel.

This feeling of being comfortable with a ridiculously attractive man is fascinating. If I were to walk down the street with him in the city, every woman vaguely our age would stare. He seems totally unaware of this.

When we finish dinner, we stroll across the street and down a block to Corina's Coffee, which is apparently the only place that's open late on a Monday night.

"Don't let the sign with the shop hours fool you," Griffin says as he opens the door for me. "If they look closed, just stand in front of the door with sad puppy dog eyes, and they'll probably make you a coffee."

"Ha! Good to know, thanks. Although I have to say, Riggs has a fantastic coffee maker."

"I'm glad you're staying there." Griffin ushers us to the table by the window. "Riggs is a great guy. I'm sure you're safe."

It kind of tickles me that he's so concerned about my safety. It's like he's assuming the role of boyfriend when we haven't even finished our first date yet. Personally, I don't think it's quite realistic to jump straight into a relationship that already has some logistical issues, but I appreciate that he wants to try.

Yet a cold feeling wraps around me like a cape. Should I allow us to start something when I have no idea if I'm ready for it yet? Get it together, Harper. Just hold back your weird little dork habits like reading the fine print and focus on him.

After we get iced mochaccinos and a couple of mint fudge brownies, Griffin tells me stories about some of the people who drive by. He knows practically everyone by their car, truck, or in one case, four-wheeler that was going right down Main Street.

I can't help eavesdropping on the couple at the back table, but they're only discussing a local farmers market, nothing that could be construed as gossip.

"Whoa, are you okay?" Griffin takes my hand. "You seemed a million miles away for a second."

I know we're supposed to keep our work secret, but Griffin knows everybody here. Having an insider would really help. Plus, I really do trust him. Taking a slow breath, I know that I'm about to be an asshole for doing this without consulting my work partners first, but it feels right.

"Griffin, would you say that people in small towns tend to gossip more because there's less news overall than in a big city?"

His wide grin is unbelievably adorable. "Maybe. But there's also the close-knit aspect of a small town. We want to know everybody's business so we can jump in and help if necessary."

Interesting that helping people is the first place his mind goes to.

"Okay, I want to tell you what the girls and I are doing here." I lean in, noticing that his eyes flick to my cleavage for half a second before returning to meet my gaze. "But I have to swear you to complete secrecy."

He takes my hand and places it over his heart. "Harper, I solemnly swear that I will not tell a single living soul about your work. Except Nikki of course, or Jocelyn, if you ask me to relay information or something to them. Okay?"

"Okay."

Suddenly, I'm nervous that he's going to judge me.

Taking a deep breath, I decide to just spit it out. "We are doing research for Professor Clifford Hewitt's ongoing study of communication networks. We're taking extensive notes about which topics are publicly discussed most frequently in various sizes of towns and cities. He also wants to see if news gets around in person in the age of the internet the same way that it did twenty years ago. So he's sent student researchers to small neighborhoods in big cities, medium-sized towns, and small towns to see how gossip gets around."

Griffin blinks several times. "Wow. I don't know what I was expecting you to say, but that was definitely not it."

"The thing is, people don't communicate the same way with outsiders, so we're telling people that we're just three friends on vacation for the summer, catching up on our schoolwork, getting ahead of our reading for the fall semester, that kind of thing."

"Meanwhile, you're spying on everyone?"

"Not spying, I swear! We are not digging around in anyone's personal private business. Just listening to chatter going on at a reasonable volume in busy public places." I shrug. "He thinks that recording people would be creepy, and I agree. Jotting down topics and news with a vague description of the person keeps it more clinical. Distanced, you know?"

"So, you're curious about how news moves." Wow, he is so sexy when he chuckles in that deep, rich voice. "Someone once told me about the so-called whisper network – apparently that's how women warn other women if a guy is a creep. They'll even pull each other aside in the bathroom to say something."

"That's very true. But we don't want to get into anything sketchy or dark like that," I explain. "We're curious about mainly light things that people want to share. Do they only share things with their immediate circle, or are people more open in small towns to kind of make a general announcement to the room if there's something interesting to talk about?"

Something catches Griffin's eye out the window, and I follow his gaze where he's watching a dark truck go by. "You know, it could be an interesting comparison." His hands drum on the table for a moment. "Jonah, the town medic, has a lady friend now. Is that the kind of happy gossip you're looking for?"

"I guess so." I pull out my notebook and jot it down. What's Jonah's last name?"

When I look up, I see something flicker in Griffin's eyes. "He's a Wolfe."

"That's his last name? You say that like it means something. Oh, wait – I've seen some signs around town for businesses with that name. So Wolfe Mountain is named for a real family?"

"Yeah. They're very wealthy and incredibly well-respected around here. Their ancestors built this town, that kind of thing. So people talk about them a bit more." He doesn't sound jealous, just stating a fact.

A slow, sultry grin spreads across his gorgeous face. "How about conducting an experiment?" His arm slips around me and gives me a little squeeze. "Jonah started dating a girl just last week, I think. If we start publicly dating, would that be an interesting contrast? See whether people talk more about the Wolfe medic, or the Dirty boy?"

"Wow, that's a really good idea." I begin scribbling notes like crazy, then stop, realizing that my left ring finger is firmly between my teeth as I gnaw at it. "But that means that we'd, you know, have to make a spectacle of ourselves, so everyone sees us."

Griffin shrugs. "Is that a problem for you? It's fine with me." His breath is warm against my temple as he murmurs, "In case it's not completely obvious, let me give you and your study some direct data. I really like you, Harper. I want to see you as much as possible."

I can feel my cheeks burning as my mouth stretches into a gigantic smile. "I appreciate the clarity. So… Are you saying we should finish our coffee and stroll up and down the boulevard arm in arm to make a point?"

"For science. Yes."

We finish our coffee and go out to the street, walking along with me holding Griffin's arm. Then he switches so that we're holding hands, beaming the entire time. As we look in the shop windows and admire the planters of flowers, I realize that Griffin really is showing me off. He's super proud to be seen with me.

This big hunk of mechanic seems to like me for me. Well, the version of me where I'm trying not to let him see quite how bookish and boring I am.

Griffin's head jerks up as a big black pickup cruises by slowly. It's as if he knows by the sound of the engine who is approaching. I guess as a mechanic type, he would.

The older man slows the truck to a crawl beside us and rolls down his window, giving us a wave. "Griffin. How've you been?"

"Excellent, thank you, sir."

The man gives me a smile, then winks at Griffin and drives off. I notice him giving a polite wave to almost everyone on the street, but Griffin is the only one he stopped to greet.

"Who is that?"

For the first time, a serious note colors Griffin's voice. "That's Carver Wolfe. Jonah's dad."

"I take it he's a bigwig in town?"

"Yeah. Most of the locals act like he's a second mayor."

We wander back to Griffin's car, stopping to say hello to his neighbors or customers several times.

"If you want to test the local gossip network," he says, opening the door for me, "you girls will have to stake out the coffee shop tomorrow morning. That's where the seniors all gather for their morning chat session."

"Great. Thank you."

He leans in, drifting his lips along the side of my throat. "It's still quite early. Shall I take the scenic route to your place?"

A shiver runs through me as I wonder where we'll end up. "Sure."

What's going on? Just a week ago I was sure I wanted to take that amazing apartment in Kingsville. My biggest decision was whether to get a full-time job immediately, or just find something part-time so I could take a few more courses.

Here in Old Hemlock Valley, everything seems much simpler. I want Griffin. He wants me. And tomorrow my job is going to be figuring out whether or not we are the talk of the town.

Except everything has happened so fast that I haven't had a chance to ask myself… Am I ready for my entire life to be turned upside-down?