51. Dani #2
“I didn’t say that! I didn’t say that!” My dad rushes over, upset.
“We let Dani live rent-free—of course we’re going to continue to pay for your condo, Jeremy.
I was just thinking maybe you could start to pay for your own phone, but that’s obviously too much for you!
We can pull back. Mental health is important! ”
“Dad…”
“You’re nothing without me!” Colette screams at my brother. “Stop it right now. This is my wedding, and you are ruining it.”
“You started it!” I screech at her while my brother hollers, “Your wedding! Graham’s going to blacklist me now.”
“I thought this was a good family,” Vivienne sniffs.
“Our family is not the problem!” Gran yells. “Your daughter aired family business on cable news and drove off my billionaire grandson-in-law.”
“Yeah!” Jeremy yells. “You know what? Fuck you, Colette. You treated my sister like shit. I know I’m not the sharpest, but even I could see that. And now you drove off the gold-egg-laying cow.”
“Goose, Jeremy.” Piper slaps a hand to her forehead.
“No, there was a cow in ‘Jack and the Beanstalk,’” Jeremy argues.
“She ruined my chance at great-grandchildren!” Gran rails to all the high-society rubberneckers.
“I’m going to have to go get a job now,” Jeremy complains.
“Wait, Graham’s not coming back, Dani? What about the garden charity party?” Mrs. Prescott is affronted. “He was supposed to be there. I told everyone he was going to be there. Vivienne, your daughter has created quite a disaster.”
“You know what?” Jeremy tells Colette. “I think we’re done here. I don’t think I can marry you. I need a woman from a good family with good judgment.”
“And real tits!” Gran hollers.
“Mother!”
“You can’t dump me—we’re getting married tomorrow!” Colette stamps her foot. “We’ve already paid the vendors. I have a photographer. I have to have wedding pictures in my dress.”
“If you dump her,” Gran whispers to Jeremy, “I bet Graham will take Dani back.”
“Oh, you think?!” Jeremy lights up.
“You don’t understand,” I try to explain. “He’s gone for good.”
“I thought you were turning over a new leaf. Stop with the self-defeating crap.” Piper slaps my back.
“You’re going to dump me for some harebrained scheme to get your sister back with a man who doesn’t want her?” Colette’s nostrils flare.
“I’d rather have a rich brother-in-law. I can get a nice wife anywhere. Billionaire brothers-in-law don’t grow on trees. I know where my loyalties lie. I’m living life on easy mode.” Jeremy crosses his arms.
Colette rolls her eyes.
“It’s not a dumb plan!” Jeremy hollers.
“Yeah,” a deep voice interrupts them. “Actually, it is a dumb plan. I’m not giving you a job.”
“Graham?” I choke out.
He holds up an invitation. “Is this still good?”
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.”
Someone helps Mom into a chair.
“Let’s see it.” I nod.
“See what?”
“The tattoo?” I swat his chest.
“Is it a tramp stamp?” Gran asks, reaching for Graham’s jacket.