Page 77 of Taste of Addiction

“Sure.”

We get ready and head downstairs to grab a quick protein bar out of the cupboard. I down a glass of water and tie my sneakers. With a glance out of the living room’s row of windows, I see it is flurrying out. I check the coat closet for my gloves and hat.

Graham sets the pace for us once we are outside, and the bite to the air makes my lungs work harder as I try to keep up with him. It feels invigorating to exercise with him, and it is nice having something else we can do together as a couple.

“Want to come into the office with me and hang out before your class starts?”

“Are you going to take advantage of me on your desk?”

He fake scoffs. “I have very high morals, and I take offense to that question.”

“Pfft.” I stick my tongue out at him as we round the block and head toward the river walk. “Don’t you have a lot of work to catch up on from missing yesterday?”

“Angela. I’m the CEO. I have employed plenty of people to handle things in the off chance I am not there. Come hang out. We can eat breakfast together. You can hang out on the sofa and read. Work on an assignment. Whatever you want to do.”

“Okay, sounds good.”

He smiles big and it’s like he just won the grand prize.

When we get back to the penthouse, we shower and get ready for the day. I select a pair of black slacks, a deep purple cashmere sweater, and black boots. My hair gets twisted on top of my head after I thoroughly dry it. I move to my jewelry box, resting on the dresser in the closet, and find the dangle heart earrings that Graham gave me on Thanksgiving and the diamond necklace he gave me to wear to the winery in Washington state. It’s too early for the piercing studs to be changed, but I can’t help myself from lining Graham’s creation up to my ears to envision what they would look like on.

Graham sneaks up behind me and helps me fasten the clasp around my neck. I put the dangling heart earrings back in the box for safekeeping. In just a few more weeks, I should be able to wear them. Turning around, I hug Graham as his fingers touch the necklace he designed just for me.

“You look lovely, Angela. Diamonds suit you well.”

“Pretty sure any woman would wear them well.”

He shakes his head as he examines each stone with his thoughtful eyes. “I’m certain no one would look as good as you do wearing them. You have the grace and the sophistication that they deserve.”

I want to laugh at his compliment but refrain. I doubt that the rest of the world sees me as being sophisticated. But then again, he always seems to be sporting rose-colored glasses when he looks at me.

Graham’s phone starts to blow up with texts and calls. He ignores them all until we are safely in the back of the SUV, and Collins is pulling out of the parking spot in the garage. The tension radiates from his bones, and I cringe over what it all must be over. I can only assume that the favors that were once owed to him no longer hold their value.

“How bad is it?” I ask sadly. “Can I even rebuild my reputation?”

“Anything can be rebuilt, Angie. Try not to think about this.”

“How can I ignore it when I don’t even know the scope?”

“The important thing is that you have made some important steps into getting help. Let’s forget about the rest.”

I frown over his lack of regard for my questions. This makes me furious. “Just tell me!” I snap. “How many articles are printed?”

“At least six.”

My face pales from the slap it just received. “Six?” And counting. Shit. “I want to see what is being said.”

“No.”

“No?”

“Let’s just get through the day. Please. Let’s forget about this for a few hours.”

Collins pulls to the side entrance of HH where the parking garage is located, only to find the area swarming with reporters—completely blocking us from access. He curses, and the sound of the single word is so foreign to my ears from someone who is usually so even-tempered.

“Sir,” he says to Graham, “all entrances have people staking out.”

I feel Graham’s body tense and mine does too as a result. “We’ll have to go through the lobby.”

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