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Suzanne sy, for his presence in her life that kept her frorief that threatened to overwhelm her at times

"Dinner sounds lovely But actually, you canat her closed and useless laptop

"Anything," he pledged

She’d spent the past eight years in countries with bouns and death all around her If she could face enemy armies she could face one Catholic priest

"I need to borrow your car again"

Michael adjusted his position just slightly to better capture the fading evening sun His pencil flew over the paper as he traced a series of curving lines He paused, looked at his work, erased one line and redrew it As he turned closer to thehe inhaled and caught a whiff of soain--sort of spicy but also subtle andJust…Michael inhaled again and closed his eyes…justGod, whatever it was, he wanted to smell it for the rest of his life

"Da Michael jump in surprise He turned his head and ca nothing but boxer briefs At least he knew the source of that incredible smell now Michael stared at him in silence for a moment and took in the lack of clothes and the wet hair Griffin had just gotten out of the shower obviously, and that incredible scent came from his skin "You drew that?"

Griffin took Michael’s sketchbook from him and sat opposite him on the bench in the bay

"It’s not done" He reached out to grab his book back, but Griffin raised his finger at him, and Michael dropped his hands

"Subs next to Michael "I’m not your doe to do the Nora thing and growl at Griffin

"It’s not finished," Michael repeated, pulling his legs tight to his chest and wrapping his arms around his knees Griffin looked at hirasped Michael by the ankles

"What the--?" Michael began as Griffin yanked Michael’s legs out straight in front of hi," Griffin said with obvious exasperation "You are allowed to take up space, Mick Every tiet the least bit stressed out, you pull up into this tiny ball and practically disappear An i how tall you are"

"Sorry," Michael said, trying to relax "I get nervous and I…" He tried to explain further but words failed hi," Griffin said "Self-protective ht now Put the spikes away and chill You don’t have to protect yourself I’ to hurt you Not even in the fun way, okay?"