Page 40 of Filthy Rich Ex's Brothers

From: [email protected]

To: [email protected]

Subject: Photos Needed of Potential Park

Hello,

Please review the photographs attached. As you can see, they don’t capture the natural beauty of the waterfall and surrounding area. It’s my nonprofit’s mission to protect our country’s best features, and I am lobbying Congress to designate this area as an official National Park.

There will be an event in a few weeks where we’ll make our argument. For this event, I need high-quality photos that evoke emotion. I can’t take Congress to the waterfall (I have tried, they won’t come), and so I need good pictures.

If you can do this, please book a time on my calendar. I’ll take you to the park. Depending on which day we pick, you may need to be comfortable with camping, as it is a long out-and-back hike from the nearest road.

Best,

Graham Oakley

Outside More, Founder and CEO

I sit completely still, staring at the email on my phone. My tongue feels numb. I scroll up and down, taking it all in.

First, the guy writes exactly how he talks. It’s uncanny. So straight to the point.

Second, I’ve never done something like this before. Standing inside a luxury bakery and taking photos of flowers isn’t even close to actual nature photography. If I’m going to do this, I’ll need to go out and get a couple of new lenses.

Third, and finally, when I read through the email again, actually focusing on his signature at the end, I realize why his name sounds so familiar to me.

GrahamOakley.

As in, Alex Oakley’s brother. As inTravis Oakley’sbrother.

There’s no way I can do this. No way Ishoulddo this, especially given that I was attracted to the man straight away. That I could imagine his frame dwarfing mine, his large hand on the small of my back, sliding down between my legs…

Jesus. Maybe I should talk to Georgia and ask if there’s some sort of brain parasite that causes you to be really into a handful of men at once. If there’s some sort of hormonal imbalance that makes a girl lust over a variety of sizes, shapes, and personalities.

But it doesn’t matter how much I’m lusting over Graham. It would be a horrible idea to even continue thinking about him, let alone agree to gocampingwith the guy.

“Hey, you ready to go?”

“Yes!” I say it a little too brightly, but Ryan just grins, pulling me in tight as I slide my phone into my pocket.

I don’t think about Graham as we climb into the car. Because it would be a terrible, horrible, awful idea.

Chapter 21

Serena

Graham is waiting for me in the gravel parking lot when I arrive.

He’s dressed like a safari guide without the weird-looking hat, leaning against a dusty silver Rivian truck with a huge pack on the ground beside him. The early-morning sun slants across his brown hair, bringing out the golden highlights.

I whip into the parking lot in a frenzy, hoping I’m not dinging up Lillie’s minivan as I do. I’m ten minutes late. If the look on Graham’s face means anything, he is not happy about that fact.

“Hi!” I say, tumbling out of the van and nearly tripping over my own feet. He makes no move to catch me this time. Why am I so clumsy around this man? It’s like my body yearns for him to sweep me up into his arms.

“You’re late.”

“Yeah, sorry about that.” I laugh, ducking into the back seat for my brand-new bag—a gear pack that holds my change of clothes, toothbrush, and extra camera gear. Proudly, I take my camera itself and clip it to a holder on the strap. This was a purchase made expressly for this trip, and it makes me feel far more legitimate.