“I am,” she whispered. “I’m willing to trust you with my heart. It scares me, Griffin. It scares me so much.” She covered the hand that rested on her face, turn her head and kissed the center of his palm. “The only thing that scares me more is the thought of going the rest of my life feeling as miserable as I’ve felt this past week. This week gave me a glimpse of what my life would be like without you in it. There’s nothing that could be worse than that.”
The sweetest relief blossomed in his chest. It was so strong he ached with it. Griffin cupped Indina’s face in both hands and tilted his head forward until their foreheads met.
“I started falling in love with you months ago, Indina. I tried not to, because I knew it wasn’t what you wanted. But every single day the feeling just grew stronger and stronger.” He pressed a gentle kiss to her quivering lips. “All I ask is that you give this a chance, a real chance. Let me inside your heart. I promise you I’ll handle it with care.”
He kissed her again. Long and slow and lasting. He kissed her as if it was the last time he would ever get the chance to do it, and sensed his heart expanding with gratitude at the knowledge that this was only the beginning.
Griffin felt Indina’s mouth stretch into a smile beneath his lips. He pulled away slightly and asked, “What’s so funny?”
Her smile flourished into a thing of beauty. “Just when I thought I was done chasing love, it found me.”
“Yes, it did,” he said. He drew her into his arms. “And it’s never letting you go.”
Epilogue
The distinct smell of charcoal and pecan wood imbued the air as the Holmes family gathered in Alex and Renee’s huge backyard for yet another gathering. Indina had spent the first half hour fielding questions from the women in her family who wanted to know if Griffin’s presence at a second Holmes family function meant their relationship had progressed to more than just coworkers with benefits. Indina could still feel herself blushing as she confirmed their suspicions.
To say he fit right in with her family was an understatement. He’d known them for less than a week, yet Griffin seemed more comfortable than any of her previous boyfriends, even the two she’d dated for several years. It was still much too soon to even consider what their next steps would be, but Indina knew her family was already rooting for her and Griffin to make a trip down the aisle. Renee had revealed as much when she admitted there was a betting pool on where the wedding would take place. Most thought another cruise would be ideal.
Indina wasn’t ready to think that far ahead, but she couldn’t help the excited tingle that ran through her at the thought of a wedding on the top deck, or maybe even that beautiful private beach in Mexico.
Watch it, girl. You’re getting ahead of yourself.
Yet, when Griffin looked over at her and winked, she thought maybe it wasn’t so far-fetched.
The picnic soon evolved into a full-on party. Indina doubled over with laughter as she watched Griffin being passed around from one Holmes woman to another. It started with her Aunt Margo, who pulled him up to dance with her when an old O’Jay’s song came through the speakers. Monica was next, cajoling him to join in as Liliana taught them some new dance move that was all the rage on YouTube. Even Willow, who for once seemed to be enjoying herself, hopped out of her seat when it was time to do the electric slide.
Indina didn’t think she could feel any more content…until she spotted her dad’s smiling face. Her chest nearly burst with joy at the sight of him looking so happy.
“Hey, come over here. It’s Uncle Toby and Auntie Sienna,” Jasmine called. All twenty-plus of them gathered around the table as Jasmine held up her iPad. It didn’t matter that they’d all been to the hospital yesterday when Sienna gave birth to Baby Jonah.
Indina’s heart squeezed as she watched the sweet baby resting peacefully in Toby’s arms. “I’m sorry you two have to miss this,” Margo said. “But at least we have a christening to look forward to.”
“Somebody’s going to bring me a plate, right?” Toby asked.
“I’ll be at the hospital this afternoon,” Eli said. “I’ll bring it.”
Sienna, who had been playing camerawoman, flipped the phone’s camera to her face. “See how he’s just worried about himself?” she said. “You’d better bring two plates, Eli.”
Eli gave her a salute. “Aye, Captain.”
Sienna and Toby signed off once the baby woke for his feeding, and Reid cranked the music back up.
Indina noticed the uniformed police officer the moment he entered through the wooden gate that led from Alex and Renee’s front yard.
“What in the—” Indina set her drink down and followed him.
The music stopped as the officer approached the table where her brothers and cousins were playing dominoes.
“Ezra Holmes?” he asked.
Ezra stood. “I’m Ezra Holmes.”
The police officer walked around her brother and pulled his hands behind his back. “You are being arrested for violation of penal code 14.20.2 under the Louisiana state law.”
“What?” Ezra squawked.
A collective gasp traveled across the backyard as the officer began to read Ezra his Miranda Rights.
“What’s going on here?” her dad asked.
“Yes, what is this about?” Indina piped in.
“I have it on good authority that Mr. Holmes has been stalking Councilmember Mackenna Arnold,” the officer stated. “You need to come with me.”
“Oh, good Lord,” Indina said. “Dammit, Ezra, I told you to leave Mack alone. Which station are you taking him to?” she asked the officer as she pulled up Mackenna’s number. Her friend didn’t pick up. “Dammit,” Indina curse. “I’ll be at the station in just a few minutes, Ezra.”
She headed for the house to get her
