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“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.