Page 56 of Indigo Ridge (The Edens 1)

I’d mourn the loss of sex and distraction later, so I followed Pops to join Frank.

The front wall of the coffee shop was made entirely of windows and beyond the glass was the sidewalk and Main. It was impossible to miss Emily walking to Griffin’s truck.

“The goddamn reporter,” I muttered. “Really?”

Why, of all the people, did Griffin have to be with the fucking reporter who’d smeared my name before even meeting me? I gave up any attempt not to stare and watched their every move.

Griffin said something to her, his expression stern. That didn’t mean much. He often wore a serious face. It was rare that he’d smile and laugh. But he had a few times. With me.

He leaned in closer to Emily, speaking low. The pout on her face said she didn’t exactly like what he had to say.

She crossed her arms over her chest and gave him pathetic, pleading eyes.

He shook his head, his shoulders slumping. Then he gave her a small nod before walking to his truck and climbing inside.

She hurried to the passenger door, getting in with a smug grin aimed toward the coffee shop. No doubt she could see me staring through the glass. Bitch.

What was the joke he’d made the other night? You can’t throw a rock in Quincy without hitting an Eden. At the moment, I wouldn’t mind throwing a boulder at the man.

I tore my eyes away from Griffin’s truck as he reversed out of his space and rolled down Main.

“Those goddamn Nelsens,” Pops said.

“Those goddamn Edens,” Frank muttered.

Lyla chose that moment to appear, her hands full with three water glasses. Her cheeks were flushed, and I was sure she’d heard both Frank and Pops.

Frank didn’t notice but Pops gave her an apologetic smile. “Thanks, Lyla.”

“Sure, Covie.” She walked away, returning to the counter.

“You don’t like the Edens?” I asked Frank. Then why was he at Eden Coffee?

“Oh, I like Lyla just fine. And Talia and Eloise. But no, I’m not exactly fond of Harrison or Griffin. They think they own the whole town.”

Envy crept through his voice. There had to be more to it than just dislike but I didn’t care to hear it. Not today.

Griffin hadn’t once given me the impression that he owned Quincy. Then again, he also hadn’t given me the impression that he was cozy with another woman, so clearly, when it came to that particular Eden, my judgment was impaired.

Oh God. My stomach churned. On Monday, he hadn’t come over until ten. Had he been on a date with her first? Had he visited her bed before coming to mine?

“You okay, Winnie?” Pops asked.

“Yeah.” I nodded and took a sip of my water. “Just been a hectic week.”

“How are things going at the station?”

“Good.” They would be good. Eventually.

Maybe this run-in with Griffin was what had needed to happen. Hadn’t I just been thinking about how I needed to get my life at home together? Griff had been a constant on my mind and a regular intrusion during my evenings.

I had a life to establish in Quincy. I had a house that needed to become a home. Building lasting relationships with my staff was more important than a fleeting one with a hot cowboy.

I’d moved here to heal. To build a new life. To repair the heartache from my split with Skyler. Jumping into bed with Griffin wasn’t going to help me achieve any of those goals.

It had to end. Tonight.

When he showed up tonight, I’d call it off.