Free Building Our Love (Griffin Brothers #2) by Crystal Perkins Page B

suggestions.”
    “Are you thinking
‘grand gesture’ type of ideas?” Danny asks me.
    “If that’s what I
need to do, then yeah.”
    “My speech worked
pretty well for Yas. I had a really nice night after that,” Scott
says with a smirk.
    “You already had her
back by then, but I guess I could do a speech.”
    “No. No speech, Ry. I
think for this situation, you need to do a gesture, but not
necessarily a grand one. I think you just need to do something to let
Chloe know that you want to be with her. You should probably do it in
front of everyone, just so she knows you’re serious. She was never
an attention seeker when we were in school,” Owen tells me
thoughtfully. “Now if you manage to screw up again, a speech or
something big will probably have to happen.”
    “I think you’re
right. And I don’t plan to screw up again.”
    The guys and I talk it
over, and I realize exactly what I need to do. They agree that it’s
a good idea. It’s not a grand gesture, but it will show Chloe that
I’m serious and not just fucking around. God, I can’t wait to see
her on Saturday and show her that I love her.

Chapter 8
    Chloe
    Crews have been getting
the backyard ready all day. Tents have gone up and flowers and food
have been delivered. I peeked in the main tent earlier and it was
amazing. The color scheme is black, white and silver. Those were the
colors that we were asked to wear as well.
    I found a cool black
dress with silver sequins that looks kind of architectural at
Nordstrom. I’m pairing it with silver shoes that are bejeweled on
the top part which wraps around my ankle. The only jewelry that I put
on is a diamond butterfly necklace that Ryan gave me for my high
school graduation. It’s also from Van Cleef & Arpels, like the
one from my 14th birthday. He said I needed something more grown up,
but I’ve always kept the original one. I haven’t put either one
on in over three years.
    The girls said I need
to force Ryan’s hand. Wearing this dress and the necklace that he
gave me is about all I’m willing to do. Yeah, I want him back. But
I’m done throwing myself at him. If he wants me, he can come and
get me. If not, then it’s time for me to finally move on from him.
Or at least try to.
    I wait for the party to
get started before I head outside. I grab a glass of champagne from a
server and am heading towards the main tent when Owen intercepts me.
“Hi Chloe.”
    “Hi Owen. It’s good
to see you.”
    “You too. Ryan said
that you wanted to meet with me about the art for the Seattle
building?”
    “Yes. I’m hoping to
get you back to your roots somewhat. This building’s going to be
for the tech division and those guys aren’t stuffy at all. I want
to give you some ideas and colors and let you do your thing.”
    “That would be
awesome, Chlo. Should I come see you on Monday? Maybe around 1?”
    “Sure, that’d be
great.”
    “I’ll catch you
later, then. Time for me to mingle.”
    “Candi just walked
in, Owen.”
    “Why would I care,
Chloe?”
    “Because you do,” I
tell him and then walk away laughing.
    I look around and see
Alex and another young girl. It must be her friend, Rose. I make my
way to the two of them. “Hi girls. Are you having fun?”
    “Hi Chloe!” Alex
exclaims as she hugs me. “This is my friend, Rose.”
    “It’s great to meet
you, Rose. Alex has told me what a good friend you are to her.”
    “It’s nice to meet
you, too,” she says shyly.
    “Was your sister able
to make it?” I ask her, remembering that Alex was going to invite
them both.
    “No. Olivia had a ton
of homework.”
    “Well, I hope to meet
her next time. I’m going to say hi to a few more people. Find me if
you need anything.”
    I move off and see some
of the interior designers for the company. They haven’t been too
friendly since Ryan gave me the Seattle building. I walk over hoping
to break the ice. I want to stay at Griffin, and so I need to make
friends with them. They stop