“So you went back to his place. And it was good?” Now she looks intrigued.
“I’m not kidding. I don’t know if it’s because I just broke up with Stephen, but holy crap, I have never had sex like that. The guy was direct and driven. Like he was determined in everything he did to get a certain reaction. And the reaction seemed to be intense orgasms out of me.”
Margot sits back and takes a deep breath, blowing it out. “Holy crap.”
I sit back with a satisfied sigh. “I know. I think it was just what I needed. Things have been so shitty lately. It was exactly what I needed to just blow off steam and feel good again.”
“Lunch is ready, ladies,” my brother calls from the kitchen.
We take stools at their breakfast bar and Graham hands over plates that hold pieces of quiche, a pasta and vegetable salad, and little skewers each with a cherry tomato, a ball of mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves drizzled in balsamic vinegar.
There are also mini cinnamon rolls and huge fresh strawberries on platters on the breakfast bar.
I’m glad they just went ahead and used the brunch food they’d planned rather than starting over with lunch food simply because of the time.
“So tell me what’s going on with you,” Graham says. “Margot said you have something you need to talk to me about.”
I pause with a hunk of mozzarella cheese in my mouth and glance at Margot.
“And tell him about the job. You know your mom’s going to tell him if you don’t.”
“She hasn’t already?” I ask.
“No. And then Graham has something he needs to tell you about his work,” Margot says, shooting him a meaningful look.
He sighs but nods. “I do.”
This seems important. I reach for the latte my brother set by my plate. He’s a very good cook and an excellent barista. Harlow, my best friend growing up and his, and I did a great job training him in essential things like hors d'oeuvres, mixology, and coffee drinks.
I take a long drink, enjoying the taste of perfectly combined coffee, caramel, and vanilla. Then I look at Graham.
“I moved back to Sapphire Falls.”
His brows lift. “What?”
Yeah, I know that’s a surprise. Leaving was a big thing for both of us. That’s kind of why I’d hoped my mom had already told him this.
Our older brothers are both fixtures in the town. Carver, the oldest, works with Dad, and it’s an excellent fit for him. Jefferson, our next-oldest brother, is a football coach and science teacher. They love our little hometown and have no intention of leaving.
Graham and my leaving were also a huge deal with Harlow. Shehatesit when people leave. Saying goodbye to her was incredibly hard, and we both had to be certain it was what we wanted.
It was. I worked for a pharmaceutical research company that was conducting important research in treating, and hopefully someday curing, progressive neurological conditions. Grahamworks for a relatively new company here in Denver that is innovating in green energy.
We did exactly what our father always modeled in his world-renowned work in the areas of agriculture and environmental conservation: we used our superior intelligence to do jobs that make the world a better place.
But we wanted to make our own names.
“I broke up with Stephen and lost my job last week,” I summarize for Graham.
“What?” he demands. He looks at Margot, realizes she doesn’t look surprised, and looks back at me. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m telling you now,” I say. “It’s not my favorite topic of conversation, and I had to tell Mom and Dad and Carver and Jefferson. And Harlow.”
Graham grimaces.
Our family is hugely supportive and will always have my back, but Harlow will happily go to jail for someone she loves. The blow-up Graham is imagining from Harlow on my behalf is accurate. She waslividat Stephen. I had to talkherdown.
“What happened?” Graham asks.
