He smiled as he read the roster of celebrities lined up for the tournament. A couple of reality TV stars from the Carolina series and a big-name film celebrity that would be a huge draw. It was only two weeks away and he felt excited for the challenge. He had to hit the links and get in some serious golfing between now and then or face humiliating himself.
Satisfied that there was nothing urgent to attend to, he closed his laptop and put it aside. Downing the last of his drink, he sank his teeth into a fat green olive, enjoying the kick of alcohol from the marinated fruit. He leaned his seat back, closed his eyes and was asleep within minutes. He didn’t wake up until the pilot announced that they were coming in for landing.
The pilot and flight attendant waited for him by the open door of the plane. He grabbed his overnight bag from under the seat and made his way to the exit.
“Hope you enjoyed your flight Mr. Bennett,” the pilot said.
“Slept like a baby. Smooth landing. Thanks.” He held out his hand and the pilot grasped it for a warm shake.
Natalie smiled, and said, “I’ll see you next trip.”
“Yeah, thanks a lot, Natalie. Next time.”
Griffin took a deep breath as he descended the metal stairs onto the sweltering tarmac. August in North Carolina. The air was thick, and he felt like he was breathing through a wet wool blanket. The forecast called for hot humid conditions for the rest of the week, with highs in the low nineties.
Why the hell wasn’t he in Turks and Caicos right now? Low humidity, gentle easterly trade winds, usual high in the mid-eighties, great snorkeling and diving…if it wasn’t for the upcoming tournament, he’d be on a plane tomorrow. It had been far too long since he’d visited the islands.
When he got to his car, he turned his cell phone back on and saw that Brianna had been text bombing him since last night. She’d already called four times today. He blew out a breath as he raked his hand through his unruly hair. Thumbing through her texts, he tamped down his irritation. The downside of dating someone so young. Drama. Insecurity. Possessiveness. Jealousy.
Brianna, a fashion model based in New York City, had been home visiting her parents about a month ago and they’d attended the same art gala fundraiser. Her parents happened to be friends of his father’s and they’d been there to make the introductions.
He’d made the mistake of asking her out and now found himself entangled. This romance would be short lived. He blew out a breath. Already bored, he just had to find the right time to cut the cord. He should have known better than to date a twenty-one-year-old. She was too clingy and already making commitment noises. He didn’t do commitment. He knew she’d bust his balls about the Vegas trip, as if she had every right to do so.
They had a date planned for tomorrow night and he’d made dinner reservations at the Yacht Club. He hoped she be over her snit by then. He was tired from his late jaunt and had zero tolerance for drama.
She picked up on the first ring.
“Hey,” Griffin said.
“Why haven’t you returned any of my texts or phone calls?”
“Because I had my phone turned off so I could enjoy myself without distractions.”
“How unselfish of you. How do you think that makes me feel?”
“I told you where I was going and that I wouldn’t be available. What was so urgent that it required four phone calls all before noon?”
She sighed dramatically into the phone. “I wanted you to be the first person I shared my news with.” Silence.
“And?”
“I got it!” She squealed with excitement. “My face is going to be plastered on magazines all over the world!”
“Congratulations baby! The new face of Dior. So now our dinner date will be a celebration. I’m really happy for you Brianna. I’m not surprised; you’re stunning.”
“You can show me how happy you are tomorrow night. I can’t wait to see you. I’ve missed you so much. Did you miss me?”
“It’s been less than twenty-four hours.” Silence. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Don’t even think of picking me up on the Ducati. I don’t want my hair messed up.”
“I’d planned on taking the Audi anyway.”
“Good.”
Fighting annoyance, Griffin said, “I’ve got to go. See you tomorrow.” The last thing he wanted to do was go out with Brianna. He pinched the bridge of his nose. What the fuck is wrong with me? Brianna is young, beautiful and great in bed.
His muscles were coiled, ready to spring with a restless energy. He couldn’t put his finger on it. What was bothering him? Let it go! This will pass. He wasn’t used to overthinking everything. He generally avoided introspection, since it never led him anywhere that he wanted to go anyway. This unfamiliar self-analysis stopped him in his tracks. Maybe it had something to do with his looming thirtieth birthday. A week from now, he’d be kissing his twenties goodbye.
The following evening, Griffin pulled into Brianna’s drive and beeped the horn. She ran to the car and had barely shut the door before throwing her arms around him and kissing him full on the lips. He peeled her arms from around his neck then backed out of the drive. She flipped her hair back over her shoulder before fastening her seat belt.
“That wasn’t the greeting I was expecting,” she said, pouting.
Griffin didn’t go for the bait.
“How was Vegas?” she asked coolly.
“Broke even.”
“Were you a good boy?”
His lips twisted. “Almost saintly.”
“Griffin, why are you being so mean to me?”
He glanced over and seeing her glassy eyes, felt a tug of remorse. He grabbed her hand and held it. “I’m tired. And how have you been keeping yourself entertained in my absence?”
“Catching up on the local gossip for starters. Have you heard?”
“Probably not,” Griffin said dryly.
“They’re making another movie here. Big name director and you’ll never guess who’s starring in it.”
“Let’s see, Brad Pitt?”
“Just as big but think younger and hotter.”
“I give, who?”
“Penelope Winters and Noah Davis.”
“No shit?” His heart squeezed slightly at the mention of Penelope Winters. He’d had a big-time crush on her since he’d watched her in the film Forever Yours.
“I swear. I heard it from a reliable source. Some of the production crew and location scouts have already been spotted around the island.”
“That will be a welcome boost for the local businesses.”
“I know right?” She said, as she checked her makeup in the sun-visor mirror.
Glancing over at her, Griffin said, “You look beautiful.”
“You always say that.”
“Because it’s true.”
“Then why won’t you put a ring on it?” she said, sticking out her tongue.
He laughed at her. “We’ve been dating exactly one month. That’s if you count the night we met. I told you from the beginning that I don’t do long term, I’m not even sure I believe in love.”
“I’m a romantic, what can I say. Besides you say that now, but you can change.”