His hand fell to his side.
His navy blazer was beautifully cut. The silk tie at his throat expertly knotted. Freed of the anger, Rae saw him fully. Not as the boy who’d accompanied her through childhood and then adolescence. Or as the eager youth who’d taught her French kissing and the pleasures of foreplay.
She saw the man Griffin was now: tall, muscular, comfortable in his own skin. Lines etched the sides of his mouth. His hairline was beginning to recede. Only his grayish-blue eyes, tranquil as a lake, were familiar.
With cool patience he accepted her appraisal. Which made Rae feel foolish.
Her dignity in tatters, she promised to speak with Yuna.
Dry potting soil covered the steps outside Design Mark. It crunched underfoot as Rae paused, brows puckering.
Inches away, her car was parked at a crazy angle. With a start, she recalled jumping the curb and leaping out.
What is wrong with me?
An empty flower planter was wedged beneath the bumper. Mortified, she gripped the sides and heaved it out. Driving to Griffin’s firm in a state of fury was bad enough. What was she doing, vandalizing the premises?
It’s no different than Penny dumping garbage before the Witt Agency.
She lugged the damaged container to the steps. She’d write an apology note. Tuck a check inside, to replace the planter.
A voice came from across the street.
“Rae Langdon!”
From the shadow of the dealership’s service bay, Quinn’s father strode out.
Panic rooted her to the spot. She’d assumed any future run-in would happen with Penny. Mik Galecki was a more formidable opponent.
He was tall, like Griffin. The similarities ended there. There was something combative in Mik’s square face, something off-center in his eyes—like a walking grenade with the safety clip detached.
“What did you tell my son?” He reached her before she could react. “He’s not taking our calls.”
“For good reason,” Rae said. “Quinn doesn’t want to talk to you, or Penny.”
The matter-of-fact tone was a ruse. It masked the fear bubbling inside her. Mik was momentarily taken aback.
Then rage broke across his features. “Tell him to get home, and I mean today.”
“No.”
“This isn’t a request. You got that?”
A buzzing started in her ears. She was acutely aware of Mik curling his fist.
Bile rose in Rae’s throat. “Don’t threaten me.” She managed to put steel in her spine. “Your wife threw Quinn out. He’s not coming back.”
“He’s not your son. He’s mine.”
“Get out of my way.”
When she attempted to dart around him, Mik blocked her path. “Who do you think you are? Do you think you’re better than me? You can’t have my son.”
“He doesn’t belong to you, or anyone.” She cast a desperate glance toward the dealership. There was no one outside to come to her aid. “Now, I’m asking you nicely. Please back off.”
From the corner of her eye, Rae caught movement. Griffin. He swept past her like a bullet.
He shoved Mik back. “Are you threatening Rae?”
He shoved again, harder, and Mik took a hard step off the curb. Mik looked around wildly. Like Rae, he hadn’t seen Griffin sprint outside.
“Listen closely, Mik.” Griffin stepped into the street to face him. “You can’t threaten Rae—ever. Am I making myself understood?”
“Get out of my face. You’re not my boss.”
A challenge, and Griffin took it up readily. “No, but my father is,” he growled. “You’re done, Mik. Do yourself a favor and start looking for a new job. I promise you, he will fire you.”
The warning shuddered fury across Mik’s shoulders. He looked ready to deck Griffin. Yet he seemed aware that he was no longer the more dangerous man. Griffin, slow to anger, gave off a menacing air. Rae could nearly taste it.
Mik could too.
Without daring a reply, he strode back to the dealership.
Chapter 25
From the kitchen table, Rae watched the sun dip behind the barn’s roofline. Shadows lengthened toward the house, and the trees where Quinn and Connor worked.
The weather was cooperating. It seemed the only positive development in an upsetting day.
Across the table, Yuna peered over the rim of her cup and out the window. Quinn was high in the sixth tree, a long string of lighting slung over his arm. From the ground, Connor shouted directions.
Yuna lowered her peppermint tea. “It’s amazing how quickly they’re putting up the lights.”