Perfectly Broken by Prescott Lane Read Free Book Online Page A

sure she gets home.”
    “I can make sure you both get home,” he suggested. “Or maybe to my place?”
    Peyton tried not to barf. “Are you serious, baby ?”
    “Oh yeah!”
    Peyton closed her eyes and drew a deep breath for patience. Then she felt a familiar hand take hers and opened her eyes to find sandy blond hair and two huge dimples staring up at her from bended knee.
    “Besides you,” Griffin said, “the only other woman that will bring me to my knee will be our daughter when she needs me to tie her shoes.”
    Peyton’s face flew into a huge smile, her hand flying over her heart as if deeply moved. Griffin got up, and she fell into his arms.
    Griffin looked at the buff guy. “That’s how it’s done,” he said. The buff guy walked off in a huff, taking the Hurricane with him.
    “Thanks for the save,” Peyton said, remembering back to college when Griffin truly had saved her. Her face in the dirt, hearing him calling her name then opening her eyes, battered and bruised, seeing just a trace of his blue eyes as he lifted her to the safety of his arms and carried her to an ambulance.
    Griffin placed his arm on the back of her chair. “Anytime.”
    Quinn returned to the table and pecked Griffin on the cheek. “Where’s Stephanie?”
    He shrugged. “Probably at the airport by now. She’s mad at me again. I can’t seem to do anything right in her mind lately.” Peyton and Quinn exchanged a glance. “She hated the purse for her birthday. Now I surprised her with this trip — didn’t tell her where we were going. Apparently, my hometown was a huge disappointment.” Griffin motioned to the waitress for a beer. “I put us in the nicest hotel — in a damn penthouse suite — and she’s still mad.”
    “I really like her,” Quinn said. “I don’t understand what’s going on with you two.” The waitress brought over the beer. “Maybe, it’s time to cut your losses.”
    Griffin took a long slug. “I’ve been thinking the same thing.” He glanced at Peyton patting his arm. “I’ve actually been thinking about moving back, starting fresh.”
    “Daddy would love it! He’s been wanting you to come work at his firm for years.” Quinn’s phone dinged, and she read a text, smiling.
    Griffin and Peyton looked at each other and rolled their eyes. “Just go!” they said together.
    “No,” Quinn said. “This was supposed to be a girls night. Plus, I’m Peyton’s ride, and you’re all depressed and moping around.”
    Griffin perked up. “I’m fine. I’ll drive Peyton home.”
    Quinn looked at Peyton for confirmation. “Go!” she said. “Have fun with Bret!”
    Quinn narrowed her eyes at Griffin. “No more beer.” She pointed her finger at him. “You’re driving my friend. One beer, that’s it. Got it?”
    Griffin saluted his sister and when she walked away, lovingly flipped her the bird. “Mom promised me the bossy thing was just a phase.”
    Peyton picked up the menu. “I’m starving.”
    “Me, too,” Griffin said, looking over her shoulder, his eyes grazing the curve of her neck.
    Peyton turned her head, and he quickly looked down. “Let’s order one of each of the desserts.” Griffin motioned for the waitress. “Are you really moving back home?”
    “I’m seriously thinking about it,” he said. “What do you think?”
    “It would be good to have you back.”

CHAPTER SEVEN
    MEN IN SUITS descended on Reed’s project in the Warehouse District. They wanted design changes — things, of course, they’d never mentioned before — and they wanted them now. Reed tried his best to listen and hide his disgust about being pulled to work on what should’ve been a lazy Sunday afternoon. Then the suits began to talk amongst themselves about market rates and collateral mortgages, things Reed didn’t give a shit about. That was for other people to worry about — people like the suits — and Bret and his grandfather, too. Reed was the idea guy, the design guy.
    Reed’s phone