Chapter 7

Anya

"They look great, dear," my mother says as I pop the last of the chocolates out of the heart molds.

"Do they?" I ask her, tilting my head to give them a better inspection. "I'm hoping they'll be good enough for an anniversary dinner I'm hosting tonight at the brewery."

My mother beams. "I love that you're working there. You're such a smart woman." My mother brushes my hair out of my face.

"I just wish Callum would see that."

My mother steps back, leaning against the kitchen counter. We've been making chocolate candies all day for the event tonight. "He will. How was the axe throwing with him?"

I think back to the other night when Griffin wrapped his arms around me to show me how to grip the axe. Shivers wrack my body at the memory, and thankfully my mother was looking the other way, snagging a chocolate off the plate and popping it into her mouth.

I smile wide. "I saw that," I say, with a raise of my brow.

"So, how was it?" my mother asks again.

"It was fun. Callum and Griffin even smiled a few times." I laugh at remembering the two of them competing.

"That's good. I'm glad you brought Griffin along." My mother snatches another chocolate and pops it into her mouth.

"Mom?" I park both hands on my hips. "I'm not going to have any left for the party."

My mother laughs. "Is Griffin working the party?"

I spin around to continue working on the chocolates as I shrug. "I guess. He works all the parties."

"I think he has a little thing for you," my mother says, and I turn back around to meet her eyes. She winks, and smiles wide. "I think he's always had a little thing for you, Anya."

I shake my head. "No way." Has he? Has he always had a crush?

No, I would know if Griffin were harboring feelings for me, and he's definitely not. He's like a…my thought falls away as I try to think of the perfect word for Griffin. He's not like an older brother. No way. He's much too good-looking and hot to be a brother. Not saying my brothers are ugly, but gross, they're my brothers.

I don't view Griffin like that.

Is he a friend?

I mean, I guess you could call him a friend. Even though we've never really hung out except for the other night with the axe throwing.

"Pretty soon smoke is going to come out of your ears," my mother says.

I glance up, lost in thought. "What?"

"What are you thinking about?"

I shake my head. "He doesn't have a crush. We're friends."

My mother grabs another chocolate and pops it into her mouth, and utters the word "good," as she walks out of the kitchen.

I glance at my phone and notice the time.

I'm going to be late.

I rush around the house, getting dressed and getting the chocolates packed up so I can transport them to the brewery. On my way, I think about what my mother said. If it's true, then how do I feel about him?

I mean, he's Griffin. I've always thought he was gorgeous, but that's all it's ever been.

A warmth washes over me as I think about his arms around me. The way he spoke low in my ear. There's just something about him.

As I park in the back of the brewery, I pull out my handbag and chocolates.

"Hey, Anya," Brock says, hosing the back area.

"Hey, what's up?" I step closer to my younger brother with a big smile.

"Just cleaning up. I have Mr. Daniels picking up the spent grain for his horses soon, so I'm waiting out here for that."

"Speak of the devil," I say as I spot Mr. Daniels' red truck pull up.

Mr. Daniels hops out of his truck. "Anya, haven't seen you in ages. What have you been up to?"

I shrug. "Working here now."

Mr. Daniels shifts his trucker cap on his head as he smiles. "Ah, that's good. I'm just here to pick up the grain for the horses."

I nod. It's so great that Callum offered to give the spent grain that's leftover for Mr. Daniels to take home for free. Even though Callum comes off as a hard ass, I know he has a heart deep inside his rough exterior. "How are the horses?"

"They're good. You haven't been out in ages to ride."

I used to ride every weekend while in high school, but since I've been back from college I haven't had time to get back out there. "Actually," I say, an idea forming. "Would I be able to bring Callum and Griffin with me to come riding?"

Mr. Daniels smiles. "Sure, just let me know what day you want to come up."

"What about me?" Brock says, obviously feeling left out.

"You hate horses," I say with a laugh.

He sets the hose down. "I would just like to be included so I can politely decline."

I laugh harder. "Okay, Mr. Daniels, can Griffin, Callum, me, and Brock come ride?"

Mr. Daniels shifts his hat on his head once more. "Sure thing."

Brock tilts his head. "Ah, sorry I can't make it. Sorry."

We all laugh as Brock grabs the bags of spent to help Mr. Daniels load it into his truck. I say my goodbyes, walking into the brewery.

I can't wait to tell Callum and Griffin we're going to ride horses for fun next, but first I need to make sure this party goes off without a hitch.

"Horses?" Callum says with a twist of his face. "I haven't rode a horse since I was a kid. I doubt I even know how anymore."

"It's like riding a bike," I say, sitting on the top of Callum's desk in his office.

He's standing behind his desk where I found him on my down time during my party. The anniversary dinner has been a success, and now we're just waiting on the party to wrap up before we can do the paperwork and go home.

Griffin's been in the kitchen, cleaning things up, and I'm sure he's already left. Things between us were normal tonight. I tried to look for any signs that he might possibly have a crush, but so far I've seen nothing.

"Callum," Griffin says, walking into the office. Once he spots me on the desk, he freezes. "Oh, hi Anya."

I slide off the desk. "Hey, glad you're here. We're going horseback riding."

He steps further into the room. "Excuse me?"

I laugh lightly at the confusion all over his handsome face. Wow, he really is quite good-looking. I mean, more than usual. Which is saying something. "Horses. It'll be fun."

Callum huffs audibly as he folds his arms, dragging our attention to him. "Anya thinks riding horses on a farm will be fun."

Griffin rubs a hand on the back of his neck. "I'm down."

"Great." I walk past him. "I need to check on things upstairs," I say, glancing over my shoulder.

As I head upstairs to the room, I laugh silently to myself. I can't wait to see them both on horses. Oh wait.

I stall. Griffin on a horse? My eyes widen at the images flashing through my mind. Griffin with no shirt on, jeans, and a cowboy hat. His thick thighs working as he rides the horse, his body moving up and down.

This might be a bad idea.

"What are you doing?" Griffin's voice comes up behind me as I turn around.

"I was headed to the party room," I say, hoping he didn't see me standing on the staircase.

"Callum's not too happy about the horses."

I wave Griffin off. "Callum wasn't too happy about the axe throwing either, but he survived." I smile.

Griffin steps closer, to where we're face to face. "He barely survived. I…uh, barely survived too."

"Was it that horrible?"

A smile splits his face. "Quite the opposite actually." And then Griffin brushes past me as he continues up the stairs to the kitchen.

I suck in a deep breath, needing oxygen more than anything. What did he mean by that? Does Griffin have a crush on me?

Me?

He could have any woman in the world he wants. Why would he be crushing on me?

I continue up the stairs after him, rushing into the room to check on the party.

"The chocolates were a hit," Patrick says as he clears a few tables.

"When did they leave?" I ask, upset with myself that I was too busy worrying about Griffin than knowing when my party left the building.

"Like five minutes ago. They had a great time."

Phew.

"Good."

I help Patrick and a few of the other servers break down the place for the night. It's late once I've finished the paperwork, and when I turn out the lights to leave, Griffin is by the back door.

"I'll walk you out," he says.

I glance up at him. "What are you still doing here?"

He steps closer, and I suck in a breath. "Someone has to walk you out. It's not safe."

"My car is really close." I can't turn my eyes away from his. They're this light brown color, and it makes me want to lean in and see if I can pinpoint where the iris ends and the pupil begins.

"Then I don't have to walk you as far." He offers a small laugh, and the sound reverberates through my body, making my nipples pebble.

What is happening to me?

I almost want him to kiss me. But that's an absurd thought. Isn't it?

I blink at him, and shake my head slightly to break myself from this spell that has fallen over me. "You didn't have to stay late just for me. I feel bad," I say to him.

"I'd never be able to live with myself if anything happened to you."

My chest squeezes tight at his words, and I want to kiss him. So, feeling brave, I lean in, rest my hand on his bicep and close my eyes.

"Anya," he whispers. "What are you doing?" He steps back, and oh my god.

I slide my eyes open slowly, and Griffin stares at me like I've grown two heads. And I am mortified.

Without a word, I rush out of the back door and hurry to my car.

"Anya, wait," Griffin says behind me, but I don't turn back.

I'm humiliated.

I let my mother get in my head. ‘He has a crush.'

Stupid Anya.

There's no silly crush. There's nothing.

I feel like a dang fool.