Dani:No pressure—we can just go as non-boyfriend/girlfriend.
Dani:I know I blackmailed you into being my boyfriend, but this can be a fresh start.
Dani:Or not.
Dani:Forget I asked. I know that’s weird.
Dani:Please just tell me you’re okay.
Dani:Everything’s all right again—no one’s going to arrest you.
Dani:You can come home.
Dani:Or not. I can meet you somewhere.
Dani:Anywhere.
Home.
Maybe he’s at his penthouse?
“The rehearsal dinner is tonight, Dani—don’t run off.” My mother’s exasperated as I put on my jacket and race out the door.
“I just have to take care of something. Be right back?”
My mother glares at me. “Is it wedding-related? We’re already the laughingstock—”
“I think people have moved on to Deborah Whitford’s daughter sleeping with Linda Carroway’s husband.”
“We will never live this down.” My mother throws up her hands.
“I’m sure Dani will come up with something.” Dad grins at me.
“Hank, do not joke about that. Dani, if you’re going out, pick up more ice for the rehearsal dinner. The Valewood Club never has enough ice.”
The concierge letsme up to Graham’s penthouse.
“I haven’t seen him, but maybe he snuck in via the parking deck, Dani,” he says apologetically.
I realize when I’m standing in front of his door that I can’t get in. After all that, Graham had never given me a key. Probably because it was never as real to him as it was to me.
I can’t accept that, though. I’m not ready to let go of my last desperate, delusional chance at one true love.
Blinking back tears, I ring the doorbell.
Nothing.
“Graham!” I pound on the door. “Graham, are you in there? I’m just worried about you. I promise I’m not stalking you. Okay,I mean, I’m stalking you a little bit, but it’s because I—” Oh! The door swings open.
For a second I think it’s Graham, but then I realize—
“Hey, Grayson. I was looking for Graham.”
“Yeah, I saw.” He holds up a phone.
“Oh.” My stomach sinks. “That’s Graham’s phone, isn’t it. Where is he? Graham!” I yell, rushing into the penthouse. “Can you please just come talk to me? You don’t have to come to the rehearsal dinner.”
I know I sound crazy, though Grayson is looking at me with pity, which is somehow worse.
