Jeremy shoves me aside and runs to Graham.
“I just dumped my fiancée for you! Doesn’t that get me some loyalty points? I need employment,” he begs.
“Depends.” Graham’s mouth twitches. “Will your sister take me back if I give you a job?”
“Yes, she will.” Jeremy nods.
“What kind of job are we talking about?” Piper frowns.
“We’ll take it. Dani, apologize to Graham, and let’s try to pretend like we can be civilized,” my mother orders.
“Graham, I’m sorry. I…” I sob into my hands. “I was so worried about you. I’m sorry that I pushed you, and I’m sorry that I lied, and I’m sorry about the morning show.”
“I should be apologizing to you.” He cups my face. “I hurt you, and I’m sorry.”
“Oh no.” I point to my eye, now a gross yellow color. “You didn’t—”
“I know.” He smooths my hair. “You had an unfortunate accident at a bachelorette party.”
“You’re not a monster,” I tell him.
“I am.” He gives me a pained smile. “But I’d like to be your monster, if you’ll give me another chance. I love you, Dani, and I know I don’t deserve your love, but I’d like to have it anyway. We’ll do it all aboveboard this time.”
“You already have it. I love you, Graham. And not because you’re the only guy who seems to be reasonably attracted to me,” I sob.
“If there are any others, I’ll make them disappear.” He scoops me into his arms, kissing my mouth, my face. “I love you. I love you. I love you so much,” he whispers.
“I love you too,” I mumble against his neck as he squeezes me tight. “Where were you?” I run my fingertips over the planes of his face.
He looks a little tired.
“Are you all right? I was so worried about you. Oh! I need to tell your brothers. Grayson was so upset when I saw him at your penthouse.”
“He was?” Graham frowns.
“Yeah.”
“Honestly? I was recovering from a bad decision.”
“Aww, the bad decision was leaving Dani.” Piper swoons.
Graham grimaces. “Well, yes, that was a bad decision, but no—I made a worse one. I…” He stops.
“What did you do?” I grimace.
He hesitates then leans down. “I got a tattoo,” he whispers.
“You got a tattoo?!” I scream.
“My word.” My mom presses a hand to her forehead.
“Linda, it’s the twenty-first century. People their age get tattoos.” Gran swats her.
“My daughter cannot be with a man who has tattoos.”
“He can have a safety pin through his dick if he’s got that kind of money.” Gran nods.
“I need to sit down. I feel faint.”
