The Two Of Us

Attie (Chapter 6)

"You are going where?" Holden asked.

When I walked out of my bedroom wearing a $200 dress, he made Tate a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner.

It was a tight black dress that fit me exactly. I wondered how Griffin managed to get my size correct.

"To dinner," I said.

Holden laughed, "Okay, very funny. Tell me what is going on."

"I'm going to dinner."

He raised his eyebrow, pointing his spatula at me. "In that? How did you even afford that?"

"It was $40 at a thrift store down the street," I said.

Holden studied me for a moment. Then, finally, he took a deep breath, "You know what. I'm not even going to question it. The less I know, the better. Be back by 11 PM. You have an opening shift tomorrow."

I felt terrible not telling Holden the whole truth, but it was better this way. The less Griffin knew about my family, the better, and the less Holden knew about Griffin, the better.

"I will."

I ruffled Tate's hair, sticking my tongue out at him before heading out the door.

"Wow, I'm glad I got the size correct," Griffin said once he saw me downstairs.

He was wearing all-black again. I was beginning to think that he owned no other colors.

"I was amazed that you got it correct. You left the tag on, though. Do you want me to pay you back for it?"

Griffin smiled, "No, there is no need. My mom goes there so much; the owner practically gives her dresses for free."

"So, can you give me a Dakota run down?" I asked once we were in his car.

"Your name is Dakota Stone. You are the only child. Your mother owns her perfume line, and your father is a legal attorney. You want to go to Yale once you graduate and become a legal attorney like your father and work at his firm."

"Seems like she has her life all planned out," I muttered.

I shouldn't be jealous. People can't control the situation they are born into. Some people are born into money, while others aren't. It is just a part of life, yet I couldn't help but feel annoyed over the fact I had to pretend to be someone I was not.

"Here we are," Griffin said.

"Is it a penthouse?" I asked.

Griffin nodded as he gave the keys to a valet.

As we took the elevator up, I couldn't help but notice Griffin looking at me out of my peripheral vision.

The elevator doors opened to a beautiful penthouse. The whole room was practically made of glass.

"Griffin, you're home."

A woman not much older than forty appeared in the living room. She had the same green eyes as Griffin, but her hair was a light brown.

Her attention switched to me; her smile seemed to widen even more.

"So, this is Dakota. Our introduction has been long overdue," she said as she hugged me.

She even smelled rich.

"Oh, I love that dress," she said.

I smiled, "Thank you, it's one of my favorites."

"You can call me Emily," Emily said.

"Okay, thank you."

"Richard just finished making dinner. He's our chef."