Page 201 of The Art of Almost Losing It
“I thought you and Graham weren’t serious.”
“We’re fake serious. Serious in the context of our fake relationship.” I switch to the text message thread with Graham. “He keeps texting me pictures of Lulu. His cleaning lady brought her a hand-knitted outfit.”
“She looks like a little Victorian child.”
“I know! He took her with him to the office today. Also, he wants to know what I want for dinner.”
“That doesn’t sound fake serious,” Piper says pointedly.
“His half-siblings are coming over.”
“The hot brothers?” Piper perks up.
“No, the mom’s-side siblings. It’s another planning session for that anniversary party.” I sigh, rubbing a hand over my face and smearing my makeup. “Which now I’m not even sure I have time to do because I have to replan the bachelorette. If you’re tired of living at my parents’ house, you could come over to Graham’s and stay there and help plan.”
“As much as I really resent third-wheeling, Gran brought home a forty-year-old divorcé, and it’s painfully clear why his wife kicked him out—so yes, I will heavily consider reaping the benefits of your relationship.”
“There are guest suites, so it’s not like you have to sleep on the couch.”
“Scratch that—have this man’s baby, then I can move in guilt-free and be the nanny.”
My heart starts hammering.
It’s dark outside. Time for Kraig’s shift.
Is he going to show up?
Is he going to be mad?
Duh, of course he’s going to be mad. Graham humiliated him. My fake boyfriend sure seemed like he was going off the deep end at the party.
There’s clearly bad blood there between the stepbrothers.
Though Graham did mellow out at home on Sunday, reading aloudLittle Womento me in that deep, rich voice while I put the finishing touches on the Cabo bachelorette party plan that is now trash. I got lost in the story and tried not to think about how I wouldn’t get to pretend to be Mrs. Richmond anymore once Colette and my brother are safely married.
Later in the week, I sit at my Svensson Investment desk, alternating between trying to come up with a brand-new idea for a bachelorette party that I can pull off in, oh, a week and a half, and trying to fix whatever formula isn’t reconciling in my spreadsheet.
I don’t recognize the security guard, but I give him a wave anyway when he calls, “Good evening.”
It’s still early by investment-banking standards, but I’m too on edge for some reason to be here any longer.
Monaco?I wonder as I head downstairs.Or Iceland? That’s trendy now, right? But I really don’t like being outdoors that much…
There’s a black car idling outside of the building. My heart skips, then I recognize it.
The window rolls down.
“I was just going to take the train.”
Graham is looking up from the book he was reading. He helps me with all my bags when I collapse into the seat.
“I don’t want you taking the train this late. It’s dangerous.”
Lulu jumps on my lap, tail wagging, then back onto his.
“Were you a good doggie for Graham?”
“I did recover the diamond,” he says dryly.
