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.

up immediately, his voice oozing smugness, "My dear Vivienne,

off." Vivienne regretted the

Bring Leopold

Dawson paused, "Vivienne,

know?" Vivienne

blockhead. He's always talking about you or Griffin; I should've seen him fretting when Griffin was busy with her patent stuff. Don't worry, they've

by Dawson's words,

not in vain as long

frowned, "You're awfully

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

hung up, cutting him off

giving me

[Serves

pm, Vivienne and Griffin made their entrance at Silver Bar, commandeering

Griffin's rare beauty paired with Vivienne's

advances and invitations with an air of untouchable

Dawson arrived shortly

Griffin

down, will you?" Vivienne chided

text from Percival: [Everything's set, Vivienne. I'll wait for

eyes twinkled as she replied with

but comment,

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

Griffin had no comeback.

not far from the ladies and signaled for a bevy 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

for him for fifteen years was downright terrifying. "Enough," Dawson said, pushing drinks toward him. "Live a little. Look at all these gorgeous women. Don't be

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

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