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“There is,” he confirmed.
I was far too eager for an answer. I couldn’t wait to hear it. “What is it?”
Griffin’s eyes roamed over my face for a long time, studying me. It was clear to me that he had a whole slew of thoughts running through his mind, and I found myself caught between wanting to know those thoughts and wanting to hear his answer to my question.
While Griffin didn’t give me any insight into what caused his features to soften the way they had, he did finally respond to my question. Unfortunately, the answer wasn’t anything like what I had been hoping for. In fact, it only made things worse.
“Missing an opportunity,” he declared.
“What?”
“You asked what I’m afraid of, and I think the one thing that worries me is that I’ll miss an opportunity,” he clarified.
There it was.
All the proof I needed to know I should do what I needed to do to get through the rest of this dinner and forget I ever met Griffin.
He was worried about missing an opportunity, which was exactly the opposite of the way I was. I didn’t look for risk. I didn’t like to gamble. I’d done it once, and it turned out horribly for me.
I wouldn’t have cared if twelve opportunities with life-changing results were waiting for me. I’d stick to the tried and true. I liked knowing what was ahead, and I preferred being able to plan. “That’s bold,” I noted.
He chuckled. “I think that’s life.”
Yeah. I knew that all too well.
“Don’t you think it’s dangerous to live like that?” I questioned him.
“Going after the things that make you happy?” he countered.
“I’m not sure I see it the same as you.”
After popping a fry into his mouth, he asked, “What other way is there to look at it? Look, I get that you think snowboarding is reckless, but I’m not just talking about extreme sports. Take you yesterday, for example.”
“Me? What about me?”
“You were standing outside in the cold with not nearly enough layers on to keep yourself warm, and you were the happiest I’d seen you since I met you,” he pointed out.
For several seconds, I sat there and considered his words. Of course, the first thing I focused on was that he’d been paying enough attention to notice how downtrodden I’d been until I started taking photos. But after I moved past that, I had to really think about what he had said.
I was the happiest I’d been since I’d met him when I was standing outside in the cold and taking photos, doing something I loved.
When I looked at it from that perspective, his take on missing opportunities didn’t seem so bad, even if I knew it was going to be a long road before I’d ever be able to live out that dream.
“Well, you have a valid point, but I think you need to take into consideration the circumstances here,” I reasoned. “It’s not as though I have a lot of options here to find something to be happy about, so it’s only natural that doing something I enjoy and haven’t had an opportunity to do in a long time would make me feel the way it did yesterday. It’s kind of the same as you going out snowboarding. I’m sure you’ve been the happiest doing that these past couple of days.”
He dropped his gaze momentarily, the corners of his mouth fighting not to break out in a grin. When he returned his attention to me, there was something swirling in his eyes, and his voice had dipped low. “I’ve enjoyed snowboarding immensely, but I’m not sure I can say it’s the thing that’s made me happiest.”
My lips parted. His intention was clear. The way he was speaking to me mixed with the look in his eyes indicated he was happier spending time with me than snowboarding.
“Griffin,” I rasped.
“This wasn’t an ideal situation, Indy,” he started. “I was initially bummed my buddies couldn’t meet me here this week, but I can’t say I’m that upset about it now. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you.”
“I… we… it’s only been a couple days,” I stammered.
He nodded. “I know. But that doesn’t change the fact I’ve spent my days riding and thinking about you. I’m not suggesting anything has to happen or that I have any expectations. I just want you to know that I’m glad I didn’t miss this opportunity to meet you.”
My throat was suddenly parched, and my heart melted.
