The Million-Dollar Heart by Rebecca Ryan

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.

He picked up immediately, his voice oozing smugness, “My dear Vivienne, missing me this early?”

“Buzz off.” Vivienne regretted the call for a moment.

“Tonight, 8 pm. Bring Leopold to Silver Bar.”

“Got it!” Dawson paused, “Vivienne, is Griffin going too?”

“How’d you know?” Vivienne was taken aback.

Dawson laughed, “Come on, these little games girls play? We’re onto them, except for Leopold, that

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 got chemistry.”

Reassured by Dawson’s words, Vivienne relaxed.

Her efforts were not in vain as long as there was a spark.

But then she frowned, “You’re awfully well-informed.”

Dawson choked. “All thanks to Larry’s teachings… My heart is devoted, Vivi—”

She hung up, cutting him off mid-sentence.

Dawson texted Larry, [Vivienne’s giving me the cold shoulder.]

Larry replied, [Serves you right.]

At 8 pm, Vivienne and Griffin made their entrance at Silver Bar, commandeering the most central

booth.

With Griffin’s rare beauty paired with Vivienne’s charm, they immediately drew gazes.

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

untouchable grace.

Leopold and Dawson arrived shortly after.

“Vivienne, he’s here, he’s here!” Griffin grabbed Vivienne, nearly leaping with excitement.

“Calm down, will you?” Vivienne chided her.

Just then, Vivienne received a text from Percival: [Everything’s set, Vivienne. I’ll wait for you outside.]

Vivienne’s eyes twinkled as she replied with an affirmative.

Griffin couldn’t help but comment, “You’re just like me.”

Vivienne smirked, “No, darling, there’s a fundamental difference. I’m texting my future husband!”

Griffin had no comeback.

Dawson ushered Leopold to a booth not far from the ladies and signaled for a bevy of beauties to join

them.

Leopold nearly jumped out 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 game. Or are

you saving yourself for Griffin?”

Leopold kept his distance, “I’m not… it’s just that…”

The thought of dating anyone else felt disloyal to Griffin. And the idea of someone else pining 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 a killjoy.”

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

He rubbed his eyes for a clearer view.

It was indeed Vivienne and Griffin!

“What are you looking at?” Dawson asked, feigning ignorance.

Leopold pointed. “The ones drinking with those guys over there—are they Vivienne and Griffin?”

Dawson peered over, “Looks like it. They seem well-acquainted.”

“Bull! Griffin’s never set foot in a bar before. I can count the men she knows on one hand,” Leopold

said, storming over.

Dawson yanked him back, “Who says this isn’t the eleventh guy she’s met?”

Leopold had been stewing in his juices for what felt like an eternity. “Look, ever since we were kids,

she’s been hot on my heels. How could she meet a guy without me knowing, huh?”

“Maybe she’s tired of chasing after you, Leopold,” Dawson replied, sliding a glass of whiskey across

the bar towards his brooding friend. “And you had to play the ‘my dad’s a big deal’ card. You can’t

blame her for backing off, right? Besides, this works out for you. Now you’re free to date without any

hang-ups.”

Leopold did not take the whiskey. Inside, he was a tangled mess of emotions.Books Chapters Are Daily

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Something was off. Way off.

How could Griffin possibly know some eleventh guy?

He settled back in his seat but kept his eyes locked on the scene unfolding across the bar.

He saw Griffin exchanging numbers with some dude who had the nerve to gift her a bottle of wine and

clink glasses with her.

Wait a minute, he’s making his move now!

That was the last straw for Leopold. He shot up and stormed over!

The stranger was brushing a stray hair off Griffin’s shoulder when Leopold’s hand clamped down on his

like a vise.

He nearly crushed the guy’s hand.

Everyone around jumped at the sudden confrontation, Griffin most of all.

“Leopold, what the hell are you doing?” Griffin barked in anger.

“And I’d like to know what you’re doing! Who let you come here? And this guy—who the heck is he,

getting all handsy with you? Why aren’t you pushing him away? What were you thinking? Come on,

spill it—who’s the jerk that brought you here?”