Page 46 of The Art of Almost Losing It
“We are leaving in ten minutes.”
Lulu jumps off the bed and follows him out of the room.
“But that’s not enough time to shower!”
“Shower at your own house!”
“You could have called a car service,”I tell him as I scroll through everything I missed on Instagram.
“Is that all you do? Scroll your phone and eat takeout?”
“Is that all you do?” I mock. “Kidnap girls then change your mind?”
“You swore you wouldn’t go to the police.”
“Think I’m not good for my word?” I glare at him.
“Honestly? Yes. You’re insane.”
“You’re insane!” I shriek. “Who kidnaps someone and then gets pissed that they’re in their house? It’s delusional.”
“No, delusional is you thinking that people are going to believe that someone like me would fall in love with someone like you. I know all you romance-book-obsessed women. I’m not what you’re looking for. I’m not going to be the love of your life.”
“You’re so full of yourself,” I mumble, and I feel my face grow hot.
He’s right, isn’t he? He’s got the hair and the jaw and the height and the shoulders. Not to mention the bank account. Guys like him can have any woman they want. There is zero chance that a man like him would want a girl like me.
“Well”—my voice sounds small—“you’re the one who wanted me to be your fake girlfriend first.”
“Yeah, for my family. They don’t know the difference. You run in the Upper East Side set. They’re going to see through it immediately.” He turns to me. “In fact, I bet they already do.”
My stomach churns—not just from all the wine and greasy food I consumed last night. I chew on my lip and stare out the window. I see his reflection behind me.
Lulu, that traitor, has parked herself in Graham’s lap, and he’s absently stroking the dog’s head while he berates me.
“How many wedding events and bullshit charity dinners are you planning on dragging me to? Do you even have anything to wear at any of these events? Just take the money. No one’s going to buy that we’re dating, let alone in a relationship. They wouldn’t even believe I’d casually hook up with you.”
“You know what? Fuck you, and stop trying to steal my dog.” I try to snatch Lulu back.
She reacts like I’m trying to kidnap her from her long-lost family.
“Don’t take it personally. She hates you as much as I do. She thinks you’re a bad dog mom. You don’t take care of this dog. I had to keep her from choking on a chicken wing earlier that you left on the floor.”
“Let me out.”
“No.”
“I thought you wanted to get rid of me.”
“I said I’m taking you home.” His mouth is set stubbornly.
“No, you’re not.”
“We’re almost there.”
“You cannot take me home—people will see.” I pull at the door handle.
He slams on the brakes.
