So after making sure the coast was clear, Graham kissed Thad again and let him get out of the car. After they went their separate ways, he headed up to his apartment, mulling over what Thad had said, getting tripped up on his exact wording every time.
Allthe lying? A few fibs about them hanging out hardly seemed like something that should be weighing heavily on him.
And Graham felt an odd shiver of worry go through him as he wondered if maybe there was more to Thad’s worries than he’d realized.
What if Thad was lying to him about something else?
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Want to grab dinner with me? I’m not far from your place. We could do the bistro we both like.Graham typed out the text and hitSendas he waited for the elevator.
He’d finished an interview this evening. It had gone well, although he’d gotten a little tense when the interviewer had asked about his personal life.
In the end, he’d thought he’d managed a halfway decent response, though he was grateful it wasn’t for a podcast or being filmed for social media.
At least no one but the interviewer had seen his wide-eyed panic-stricken expression as he froze like a deer with a semi-truck barreling toward it, trying to come up with a response that wouldn’t give away his relationship with Thad.
Graham stepped out of the elevator in the building’s lobby when his phone finally buzzed with a reply.
Uhh, like … as friends, right?Madison replied.Because I can’t do the whole … back and forth again.
Graham flushed, feeling guilty for making her wonder, then hastily typed out,Yeah, just friends. I could use some advice about the guy I’m seeing, if you’re up for talking about that.
Oh yeah, totally! Your advice about Stephan was super helpful. I’d be happy to return the favor.
Graham sighed with relief.Meet you at the bistro in half an hour?
Give me 45?
Sure. No prob.
It was closer to an hour when Madison finally slid through the door and sidled up to where he’d been waiting at the bar, nursing a beer and snacking on olives and Marcona almonds.
He removed his coat from the stool beside him.
“Sorry, sorry,” she said breathlessly as she slid onto it. “Are we eating here at the counter?”
“Yeah, if that works for you.” It had felt a little less date-like than sitting at a table for two.
She draped the strap of her purse on the hook attached to the bar by their knees. “Yep. Perfect. I mean it though, I am sorry. The shoot I was doing ran a little long and the train was behind and?—”
“It’s all good,” Graham assured her, because she seemed a little frantic. And honestly, he didn’t have anything else planned. Thad had worked late, then had a therapy appointment. They were getting together tonight but not for a couple of hours. “How was the shoot otherwise?”
“Great!” Madison beamed, smoothing her hair off her forehead and offering him a smile. “I think we’re making great progress on the cookbook.”
“Awesome. I can’t wait to see it when it’s done.”
She smiled. “How’s hockey been?”
They made small talk for a little bit as she ordered a strawberry vanilla bean cocktail, and they decided what to get for appetizers and entrees.
“So, things are going better with Stephan?” Graham asked as he speared a golden beet in his salad, coming away with goat cheese and microgreens drizzled with maple-cumin vinaigrette too.
“Yeah.” She glanced over at him. “You were right. I was freaking out over nothing.”
“I mean, I probably made you a little paranoid about guys and relationships,” he joked. “It was the least I could do.”
“No, don’t say that.” She nudged him with her elbow. “I get it. You were going through a whole … thing.”
