by Nia Arthurs
Griffin scowls.
Seizing an opportunity to get on his nerves, I sidle up to Todd. “Is he always that grumpy?”
“You have no idea.” Looking pleased, Todd winks. “Stick with me if you prefer someone who knows how to treat a lady.” He regards my empty hands. “Speaking of, has anyone offered you coffee?”
“Not yet.”
“I was just about to do that,” Griffin snarls.
“Jordan!” Todd glances behind him. “Get the woman a coffee.”
“Yes, sir.” Someone scurries off.
“How do you like it?” Todd’s voice deepens with suggestion. “Lots of sugar?”
“Lots.” I smirk.
He’s kind of cute.
And he’s riling Griffin up.
It’s a win-win.
Todd shifts his attention to Griffin. “Where’s Doc? Shouldn’t he be attending this meeting?”
“He’s busy. When we come to a decision today, I’ll relay the information to him.”
“Is he avoiding me?” I ask. “Because of what happened last time?”
“What happened last time?” Todd glances curiously at me.
Griffin rubs the bridge of his nose and releases a deep sigh. “Can we just get started? We’ve got a lot to cover.”
“Fine.” I prance past him and then pause because I have no idea where I’m supposed to go.
“This way.” Griffin’s voice rumbles in my ear. Warmth presses against my back. A hand cups my elbow and steers me to the right.
Goosebumps skitter across the surface of my arm as his breath hits my neck.
His scent flows over me.
It’s a subtle, woodsy smell.
Like sandalwood and moss beside a crackling campfire.
Whiskey on the rocks. Earthy. Warm.
Mercy. Even his fragrance is alluring.
As we walk, Griffin dips down and whispers, “Are you trying to make me jealous?”
The growling tinge of his voice sends a new wave of shivers over my skin. I turn to face him, fighting the appeal of that rugged mouth flattened into a thin line of annoyance.
“Don’t get cocky. What I do and who I talk to has nothing to do with you.”
That’s a lie.
I so definitely flirted with Todd because of Griffin.
He makes a sound low in his throat, manly and possessive.
Heat flares in my body.
“You’re wrong, you know.” Griffin pulls the conference door open.
“About what?” I stop beneath the bridge of his arm that’s holding the glass ajar.
“The fact that I’ve never been rejected.” He casts me a dark, intense look that makes my heart thud. “There’s someone I’ve been pining after.”
“Yeah? Who’s that?” I try to infuse confidence into the statement, but my voice shakes.
He leans close. “You.”
I suck in a stunned breath.
Amusement ripples across his expression and he brushes past me to enter the conference room. The door slaps me gently forward, propelling me in.
I move slowly, carefully.
The man is too smooth, too appealing, too… everything. If I allow myself to draw close to him, he’d just as easily love me as crush me beneath his shoes.
And that’s just not a risk I’m willing to take.
16 Griffin
Todd’s pushing his nose in where it doesn’t belong just to annoy me, but at least he keeps his word and doesn’t interrupt the meeting.
For the next two hours, Cobie and the rest of my team discuss the details of our marketing plan.
And I officially accept her contract.
The document’s been filed into the system.
We’re bound now.
Partners in the eyes of the law.
There’s no going back. Not unless she wants to pay the exorbitant cancellation fees.
“That’s it for today.” I rise and tap my folder against the surface of the table. “We’ve got a lot to accomplish, everyone. Let’s all do our part to make Hot Curls a success.”
Chairs skid back.
Murmurs rise as the team stretches and starts filing out of the conference room.
Jordan, the social media expert, approaches me. He’s a scrawny kid with a personality as grating as sand paper, but the man can predict trends like a social media psychic and I insisted he join my team.
Jordan’s pumped and excited. “So, Griff, I was thinking about this new idea…”
I try to focus on him but, in my periphery, I see Todd edging up to Cobie.
“Griff?”
“Huh? Sorry. Say that again?”
“I was asking if we should do a survey…” His voice fades again while my attention snags on the gorgeous woman holding court in the conference room.
All the guys on my team press closer to her, but none of them are as gaga as Todd.
He bends down and whispers in Cobie’s ear.
She laughs.
The musical sound reverberates through the room.
Covering her mouth with a slender hand, she looks up at Todd with sparkling eyes.
“… and that’s why I think that it would be a better use of our resources if we—”
I dazedly tap him on the shoulder. “Let’s discuss this later, alright?”
“But…”
I stride past him and head to the end of the table.
Todd glances up when I near them. The smirk he slants my way tells me he sees my annoyance and is enjoying it.
I clear my throat.
The discussion stops.
Every eye swerves to me.
I jut my chin to the door. “You must be busy, Ms. Simmons. Let me walk you to the elevator.”
“I’m not that busy,” she says.
“But we are.” I shoot everyone a ‘back off’ stare. “Right, guys?”
Awkward coughing ensues.
Bodies inch back and then flee for the door.
Todd remains, a knowing grin inching over his face. “Since you’re so busy, Griff, why don’t I escort Ms. Simmons down for you?”
“There’s no need. I’ve got it.”
“You sure? It would be my pleasure.” Todd casts Cobie an oily smile.
Given my history with bullies, I’ve never been one for violence. But I swear there’s nothing I want more than to bash Todd’s smug little face in right now.
“I didn’t plan on leaving yet.” Cobie yanks the strap of her purse higher on her shoulder. “There’s something I need to do first.”
“What’s that?”
“I want to talk to Doc.”
“That’s not a good idea.”
Brows draw together. “Why not?”
“If you recall, the last time you two were in the same room, you called him a twat.”
Todd hides his stunned chuckle behind a fist. “You didn’t.”
“He deserved it.”
“If you have a question about the product, you can tell me and I’ll let him know.”
“He’s the man in charge of mass producing my mother’s conditioners. We can’t tiptoe around each other because of one bad meeting.”
“It wasn’t just a ‘bad meeting’, Cobie. It was a train wreck.”
“Griffin…” She pushes out her bottom lip.
“No.”
“I promise not to call him a twat again.” She pouts harder and bats her thick eyelashes. My heart squeezes in a vise grip when she moans, “Please?”
“I’ll take you to Doc,” Todd mumbles, transfixed.
“Not you.” Cobie simpers. “I want him.”
Those words shatter my resolve.
The woman is unfairly beautiful and my feelings for her make it impossible to tell her no, especially when she’s begging like that.
“Fine. But keep things civil.”
The big, puppy-dog eyes narrow immediately. “I resent your tone, Mr. Bech. I’m the poster girl for self-restraint.”
“Let’s not lie to ourselves.
”
She smirks. “Now that the contract’s signed, I guess you’re not bothering to be sweet anymore.”
“I’ve decided to follow your lead and just blurt what’s on my mind.”
“You only pick up my bad habits, don’t you?” Brown eyes flash playfully. Almost chuckling, she adds, “I see how it is.”
My stomach coils.
There’s no way to hide how much Cobie affects me.
“Did you two know each other from before?” Todd asks, his gaze bouncing between us.
“No.” Cobie shakes her head. “We’re perfect strangers.”
The lie flows off my tongue. “That’s right.”
“He’s a little too mean-spirited for someone who’s supposed to be professional, right?”
Todd shrugs. “It’s not that. It’s just… you fight like my grandparents.”
Cobie snorts. “Thanks? I guess.”
I gesture to the door. “Shall we?”
“Yes.” She scoops the presentation folder into her arms and flashes Todd a friendly grin. “See you around.”
“I’ll definitely be in touch.” He licks his lips.
I step in front of Cobie. Shoot him a warning glance.
He smirks.
“Griffin?” Cobie says.
“Coming.” I spin and escort her out of the room.
We board the elevator in silence.
“You looked kind of cool back there,” Cobie mumbles from her perch in the corner.
I tilt my head. “When?”
“When you were leading the meeting.”
I smile. “Is that your way of admitting you’ve fallen for me?”
“Don’t get cocky. I’m still annoyed with you for the way you treated Jenna today.”
The grin on my mouth grows wider with each passing second.
“Why are you smiling?” Cobie huffs. “I knew your ego would take it the wrong way.”
I turn fully to her.
For a moment, our gazes collide.
Her eyes—a deep, passionate brown.
Mine—a darker, soulful hue.
Heat thickens the air in the elevator, pulsing between us like an electric current.
The doors open before I can do something stupid.
I straighten and lead us out, through the hallway, into the lab.
“Wait here,” I caution Cobie.
Doc hates being interrupted when he’s working. Since it’s Friday, I hope I can catch him in a better mood.
I point a finger. “I mean it.”
“I heard you.”
I take a couple steps toward the lab, half-expecting her to follow me, but she slips into a chair and grabs her phone. Brown thumbs move expertly as she types something out.
My shocked expression must show because she glances up and pins me with a crooked smile. “What? I am capable of listening, you know.”
“That hasn’t been my experience.”
“Whatever.” She shoos me away. “Go.”
I head into the lab and squint against the bright lights. Doc is working in the back. Sweat beads on his forehead as he mixes a serum.
My footsteps thud against the floor.
He addresses me without looking up. “Did the meeting with Ms. Simmons go well?”
“Yes.” I pause. “She wants to talk to you.”
“About what?”
“Not sure. But…”
Doc straightens and his muscles crack like bubble wrap.
My gaze flits to the glass wall that separates the lab from the waiting area. Cobie is still in the chair, her head bowed. Thick curls hide her eyes, but I can imagine them anyway—bright and fiery.
“But what?” Doc mumbles.
“If you don’t come out, she’ll probably storm in here and talk to you anyway. I wouldn’t try to avoid it.”
Doc whisks his glasses from the bridge of his large nose. “I knew today was going too well.”
“She promised she wouldn’t call you a twat. I believe her.”
“I’m moved by your confidence.”
“Let’s try to be mature, Doc.”
He sighs so hard the documents across the room flutter. “I have things to do today.”
“It won’t take long.”
He snaps his gloves off and follows me outside.
Cobie jumps to her feet when she sees Doc.
“Ms. Simmons.” Doc greets her first, his voice low and gruff.
She lifts her hand in an awkward wave. “Hi, again.”
I grin stupidly.
Adorable.
But Doc doesn’t seem as charmed.
I’m worried for the both of them.
“You wanted to see me?” He speaks curtly. “What about?”
“Two things.” She flashes a peace sign. “The first is to apologize.”
Doc blinks, taken aback.
“I’m sorry about my behavior that day. I was nervous and unsure about this, and your reaction to me was the perfect excuse to back out. But I shouldn’t have taken my unease out on you.”
Doc clears his throat, looking uncomfortable. “And what’s the second thing?”
“A warning.”
“Warn… who? Me?”
“Yes.” She steps closer.
I cringe.
Should have known things were going too smoothly.
“This formula is my mother’s.” Cobie hands over an envelope. “Her dream was to see black women embrace their natural hair and feel beautiful, just as they are.”
Hands lingering at his sides, Doc doesn’t take the envelope, but I can tell that he’s listening.
“I’m insanely protective of that dream.” Cobie’s eyes burn with passion. “So I’ll be emotional, stubborn and more than a little biased during this entire process.”
Doc humphs.
Cobie takes his hand and slides the envelope into it. “I’m letting you know beforehand that I’m picky and opinionated, but I can admit when I’m wrong and I know how to defer to someone with more knowledge and experience than me.”
“What’s your point?”
“I’d like to work together. ”
“And if I say no?”
“I’m hoping you’ll say yes.” Her smile is tentative.
Doc rubs his chin.
I hold my breath as he makes his decision.
I want this for Cobie, more than anything.
And that’s when it hits me.
My feelings for her are more complicated than nostalgia. More sincere than an old crush. More intense than a physical attraction.
I like Cobie.
This Cobie.
And more than anything, I want to make her dreams come true.
17 Cobie
“So what happened next?” Chandra asks. She sits across from me, manicured fingers hooked around a half-empty martini glass. “Did the old lab guy agree to work with you?”
I rub my forehead. “Sort of.”
“Sort of?” She shakes her head and the dangling diamond earrings—another expensive gift from Rick—shimmers in the dim lights. “What does that mean?”
“He told me that my conditioners are basically a bunch of cheap crap, but yeah, he’d make them better.”
She gasps. “No way. Did he really say that?”
“Not in so many words.” I feel the pressure building in my skull. “He was more polite.”
“What did he have a problem with?”
“The crushed hibiscus pieces. That was a big one. He also hated the consistency, and the oil residue it leaves behind on the hair strands. The smell, the texture, and basically everything else.”
“I don’t know about the rest, but oil is good for natural hair. What’s wrong with him?” Chandra’s brows knit together.
“I said the same thing. Then he pointed out that not everybody wants to spend fifteen dollars a bottle to get defined curls that will ruin clothes and leave oil stains on everything it touches.”
Chandra simmers down slowly. “He has a point.”
>
“I know.” I moan and thrust my arms on the table, setting my head on top of it. “Doc had a scientific comeback for every one of my arguments. It made me wonder if I’ve been selling a subpar product for the past two years.”
Chandra pats my head. “Your mom did the best she could with the ingredients she had on hand. People came back for it on their own accord. And it can’t be that bad if Winthrop chose your conditioners for their new line.”
“I keep telling myself that, but…”
“But what?” Another sip.
“I’m so embarrassed,” I bawl.
“Why? I know it’s your mom’s product, but they’re working on it, right? That science guy will keep the bare bones and make it something that everyone can use and pay for. If you think about it like that, this is a good thing.”
“No. No part of it is good. I was mortified. Griffin was right there and all I could do was nod and listen to some guy tear down my product.”
“Oh.” She scoffs. “So this really isn’t about your mom’s conditioners.”
“Yes it is.”
“This is about Griffin.” Chandra sips from her glass. “I was wondering why you desperately needed a drink tonight. Usually, I’m the one who has to beg you to leave your apartment on a Friday night.” She rolls her eyes. “You called me out for a guy. I’m kind of hurt.”
“Not now, Chandra. I’m emotionally exhausted.”
She slants me a look ‘don’t play with me, girl’.
I cover my head with my arms to block her out.
She lifts my right hand. “Why won’t you admit that you like him?”
“I do like him. That’s the one thing I’ll admit freely.”
“What’s the problem then?” She eyes me. “From what I saw that day, he doesn’t seem like a jerk.”
“He probably is though? Right? With a face like that?”
“Being nice and being handsome aren’t mutually exclusive, Cobie. You can have them both.”
“But that would be unfair,” I point out.
She laughs and drains her martini.
A fresh glass of the same liquor slides in front of her almost immediately.
We both look up.
A waiter stands at our table. He’s dressed in a white shirt and slacks. With a polite smile, he points to a group of men in business suits.
They’re clustered around another high table in the bar.
