Afterword, we stayed connected, our breathing labored before returning to normal. Still, we made no effort to disconnect.

“Now, will you come back to Atlanta where you belong?” Griffin mumbled in my ear like sweet nothings.

“No,” I shrieked, turning my body to face him. “I didn’t ask you and Henry to stop opening restaurants after VERT. I don’t want to be a Johnny One-Note. Besides,” I said, breezily, “I have three projects already starting. One Peruvian restaurant, an Indian restaurant, and the college cafeteria in Ohio.”

I was feeling too good and too happy to fight with him. Needless to say, the mood was broken. Griffin untangled himself. “I’m going to order us a proper breakfast. That means French press coffee. Not the damn Earl Grey stuff he makes you drink.”

I laughed. And I returned the lightness of the moment with my own rejoinder. “I guess we can check the box that says we’ve had ‘concierge on the premises sex’ now.”

He laughed as I knew he would. “A concierge always makes sex better, Bae. I’ve dated girls who wouldn’t dream of having sex unless there was a concierge on the premises.” He laughed.

“You are such a Buckhead snob,” I said, and part of me hated for the moment to end. “Before you leave, we should call Henry and see how the new daddy is. Can I take a hot bath before we have to check out?”

“That’s a great idea. Take as long a bath as you want. You know, Bailey, you could take some of your own money and check into a hotel and get a decent night’s sleep once in a while. Better than you spending money on outfitting that dandy Englishman.”

“I could. But you don’t always come with the room.” I realized what I said and how it must sound. I quickly corrected myself, “I didn’t mean …,” I said, lowering myself into the bubble bath.

“It’s okay, I know what you meant,” Griffin said and then stuck his head into the bathroom. “But it would’ve been okay if you had.”

I didn’t say anything. I wondered if we should’ve had a talk about our relationship. It would have been hard, and it could have ended us.

Chapter Seventeen

So, little Bailey, which one did you go home with?” Elle eyed me suspiciously, letting it register that she knew I had on the same clothes this morning as the night before. Reggie poked her head out so she could hear the answer.

“I went back to the hotel with Griffin. That was my plan all along. I wanted to hear his feedback about the restaurant. He had two queen-size beds. I was completely exhausted. I crawled in bed and crashed.” Well, some of it was true. “Besides, I have big news for you. My brother has full custody of his three-year-old son, Hank. We FaceTimed with him this morning before Griffin left.” I had loved that. Griffin had never FaceTimed before, so I got to show him how. I couldn’t tell them, but my heart was about to burst open.