Griffin clutched the jacket to her chest, reveling in a sweetness she had never felt before.

By the time Leopold returned, Griffin was truly asleep.

Cradled in her arms was Leopold's coat, her face adorned with the kind of smile unique to little girls who had just been gifted candy.

Leopold, arms laden with bags of groceries and takeout, stuffed Griffin's fridge until it was bursting at the seams.

He popped some ready meals in the microwave, leaving a note to remind Griffin to eat once she woke up.

After tucking her into bed and ensuring everything was perfect, he slipped away, leaving the jacket tightly clutched in Griffin's hands.

The next day.

Vivienne's phone was bombarded with a flurry of texts from Griffin, gushing like an overexcited puppy.

[Vivienne, for the first time, our fridge is chock-full!]

[He carried me to bed last night, oh my god, does that mean he cares about me?!]

[Vivienne, is this a crush, or is it love? Am I torturing myself?]

Vivienne massaged her temples as she read the relentless stream of messages.

She did not know if Griffin was crushing or if it was love, nor if Griffin was torturing herself.

What she did know was that Griffin was torturing her!

[Zip it.] She texted back.

[Hehe, morning Vivienne! What do I do next? I don't know how to act around him. He hasn't said he likes me, but why would he care otherwise? I'm worried I'm reading too much into this. It could just be him being nice.]

Vivienne finally came to her senses and typed swiftly: [Meet me at Silver Bar tonight, 8 pm sharp.]

Then she called Dawson.

oozing smugness, "My dear Vivienne, missing me this

Vivienne regretted the call for

Bring Leopold

it!" Dawson paused, "Vivienne,

Vivienne was

for Leopold, that blockhead. He's always talking about you or Griffin; I should've seen him fretting when Griffin was busy

by Dawson's

vain as long as

then she frowned,

thanks to Larry's teachings... My heart is devoted,

cutting

giving me the

replied, [Serves you

their entrance at Silver Bar,

paired with

they sat amidst the crowd, deflecting advances and invitations with an air of

and Dawson arrived

Griffin grabbed

down, will you?" Vivienne chided

then, Vivienne received a text from Percival: [Everything's set, Vivienne. I'll wait

eyes twinkled as she replied

comment, "You're just like

there's a fundamental difference. I'm texting my future

Griffin had no comeback.

not far from the ladies and signaled for a

of his skin, "Dawson, if you want to drown in booze and babes, leave me out of it!" Dawson clicked his tongue, "This is for you, buddy. It's about time you got into the dating

to Griffin. And the idea of someone else pining for him for fifteen years was downright terrifying. "Enough," Dawson said, pushing drinks

as the women swarmed in, Leopold stood up, his gaze fixated on a booth

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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