Chapter 6 – Luna
Chapter Six
LUNA
I don’t know why I’m suddenly nervous to confront Michael. He is the one that has been lying, but the more I go back over things in my mind, I’m wondering if I too have been a fake.
“Do you not like cucumber sandwiches?” Graham asks.
I turn my head at the ridiculous question, but I can’t help but smile, and that is the last thing I should be doing right now. Yet I can’t help it. There’s something about Graham that makes me feel at ease.
“They’re fine, Graham, but you don’t have to do any of that. You have really done far more than you needed to already.” I sink back into the seat. “In fact, if you just want to drop me off at the PC hall place, that’s fine.”
“It’s not fine. I have a sister and mother. I know that the word fine from a woman's lips is far from it.” How can this man read me better than Michael? Probably because I’m not really myself with Michael. With Graham, the curtain is down. I know he is only being extra kind because I’m a friend of Nat’s.
"You're sweet. Even if the rest of the world doesn't know it."
"It doesn't matter what they think."
"Four bodyguards say otherwise," I remind him, but I'm sure he hasn't forgotten them. "And I don't think you've really thought about what else is going to be said. I'm engaged." I hold up my hand.
"No ring."
"Right." He took it. "But everyone thinks I'm engaged, and I'm not. I was out with you. So that makes me a cheater and you…" I trail off.
"Yeah, it's fucked up. Your story will get spun differently than a man’s would. Especially one that is perceived to have money.” He's not wrong. I hadn't thought about that, but a lot has transpired in the past few hours, and I'm too scared to check my phone to see who is blowing it up.
“True, but it’s not as though I can get fired. I already quit.” I still can’t believe I let Michael talk me into giving up my job. I’m so stupid. “And I don’t have any social standing. I’m nobody.” The words hurt even as I say them.
“Luna.” Graham goes to defend me. I can see it in his eyes. I press my fingers to his lips.
“You don’t have to.” His hand wraps around my wrist, pulling my fingers away from his mouth. Graham's giant hand makes mine appear so delicate in comparison. I never thought about a man's hands being attractive—hell, I might even say sexy, but his really are.
“I know that I don’t have to. You?—"
“We’re here,” the driver announces, saving I think both Graham and me so he doesn’t have to make up some flowery lie to make me feel better, and I don’t have to pretend to believe him.
I don’t wait for anyone to grab my door for me. I open it on my own before things can get awkward. Graham follows me out.
“Luna.” He snags my elbow. I spin around to face him.
“The ring?” I hold my hand out for it.
“Why do you need it?” he says almost defensively.
“Does it matter?”
“Maybe.” He makes no move to give it to me.
All of the bodyguards pretend not to be paying attention to us. The same can’t be said about people passing on the street. I’m sure we do look out of place. Four giant men, all dressed in black, and then Graham. The man is as big as them and stands out all on his own.
My fingers itch to reach up and push the few short strands of hair that have fallen forward off his forehead. I shake off the thought, not sure why I'm having it. I never would have done such a thing to even Michael, but then again, he'd likely scold me. I don't think Graham would. In fact, I think it might earn me a smile.
“I want to give it back to him.”
Graham seems to relax at my answer. “I’ll keep a hold of it so you don’t lose it or someone might try and take it thinking it’s real.”
“So you’re going with me to confront him?”
“Of course.”
“Won’t that make a bigger scene?” I really can’t figure out why this man is doing all of this for me. This goes beyond being just kind because we have mutual friends. I push that thought to the back of my mind because I have to focus on confronting Michael right now.
“I’m not letting you go alone. He might get angry.”
“Doubtful. He’s not super expressive.” He’s rather dry, really. The only time I have ever heard him go off was while playing video games, and that was over the phone.
“Trust me. If you were giving me back my ring, there would be a scene. Likely a kidnapping.”
“A kidnapping.” I snort a laugh. If Graham is trying to be ridiculous to make me laugh, it’s working. I didn’t bank on him to be this funny. Even now his face remains serious. “Fine, come along. I’ll probably need you to get in the door.”
When I start moving again, I realize that Graham never released his hold on my elbow. A man opens the door for us to enter the building. At the next set are three men. They glance toward us and quickly open the doors without question.
“Is it always that easy for you to get into places?” I ask. Graham shrugs, his eyes roaming over the place. He has a clear view all the way around with how tall he is.
I glance around, having never seen a bar like this. There are rows of tables with computers on one side with big, comfy-looking chairs. The other side has lounges with giant TVs. They all have video games up on them that people are playing.
“There he is,” Graham mutters, his whole tone shifting. His hold on my elbow tightens a fraction. This must be his brotherly instinct kicking in because he almost appears like a pissed-off, jealous lover.
“Lead the way,” I tell him, unable to see what he can from up there, even on my tiptoes.
“Gladly.” He tucks me in closer to his side.
Any nervousness I’ve been feeling melts away. I’m really happy that Graham pushed to come with me, because the truth is I did need someone; I just never can bring myself to ask, but somehow he knew, and it made me feel seen.
The real me for the first time.