“You guys don’t understand.” She collapses back down on the bed. “I don’t have any other option. Graham has to be my boyfriend—whether he likes it or not.”
9
DANI
Ilove work trips. Sure, they are always super stressful, but I get a hotel room all to myself…
I snort awake.
There’s a half-eaten pizza crust tucked under my chin.
“Water,” I rasp, patting my hand toward the nightstand.
“Sparkling or still?” a deep voice asks.
“What the—Advil?”
“You’re not staying here to recuperate. Get up. I want you and your dog out of my penthouse. Immediately.” Graham glares down at me.
“You kidnapped me here. Remember?” I pat around for my phone in the tangle of covers.
“It was a horrific mistake, temporary insanity, and I’m clearly going to be punished by my god or the universe for the rest of my days.”
I look and feel like death. My mouth tastes like sour cotton.
“Did you drug me?”
Graham makes a derisive noise. “Why would I want you here any longer than you have to be?”
“What about my leftovers? I had a cheesesteak from Chop Shop. And fries.”
He points to a trash bag.
“No! That’s my breakfast!”
“They’ve been sitting out all night. They’ll make you sick.”
“Garlic knots can sit out.” I make grabbing motions at the bag.
He jerks it back.
“I spent a lot of money on those.”
“The cash offer is still on the table. I’ll up it to $25 million plus a condo. You can buy as much unhealthy fast food as you want.”
“In this building?”
“No, absolutely not. Far away from here.”
I run my fingers through my hair then scream. “I’m bleeding!”
Graham reaches over and picks out a glob of marinara-covered cheese from the snarls of my hair.
“You are the most revolting human being I have ever met. How have you even survived on Wall Street?”
“I’m a back-of-house person. Clients don’t see me.”
He shoves the water at me. It sloshes over my hand.
