Page 45 of The Art of Almost Losing It
“You guys don’t understand.” She collapses back down on the bed. “I don’t have any other option. Graham has to be my boyfriend—whether he likes it or not.”
9
DANI
Ilove work trips. Sure, they are always super stressful, but I get a hotel room all to myself…
I snort awake.
There’s a half-eaten pizza crust tucked under my chin.
“Water,” I rasp, patting my hand toward the nightstand.
“Sparkling or still?” a deep voice asks.
“What the—Advil?”
“You’re not staying here to recuperate. Get up. I want you and your dog out of my penthouse. Immediately.” Graham glares down at me.
“You kidnapped me here. Remember?” I pat around for my phone in the tangle of covers.
“It was a horrific mistake, temporary insanity, and I’m clearly going to be punished by my god or the universe for the rest of my days.”
I look and feel like death. My mouth tastes like sour cotton.
“Did you drug me?”
Graham makes a derisive noise. “Why would I want you here any longer than you have to be?”
“What about my leftovers? I had a cheesesteak from Chop Shop. And fries.”
He points to a trash bag.
“No! That’s my breakfast!”
“They’ve been sitting out all night. They’ll make you sick.”
“Garlic knots can sit out.” I make grabbing motions at the bag.
He jerks it back.
“I spent a lot of money on those.”
“The cash offer is still on the table. I’ll up it to $25 million plus a condo. You can buy as much unhealthy fast food as you want.”
“In this building?”
“No, absolutely not. Far away from here.”
I run my fingers through my hair then scream. “I’m bleeding!”
Graham reaches over and picks out a glob of marinara-covered cheese from the snarls of my hair.
“You are the most revolting human being I have ever met. How have you even survived on Wall Street?”
“I’m a back-of-house person. Clients don’t see me.”
He shoves the water at me. It sloshes over my hand.
