Page 83 of Taste of Addiction

I nod to confirm as Bryce places a hand on Hanna’s lower back. She is being very formal and direct—despite calling me by my shortened first name. I can see through her layers, and at the core she is still bitter toward me.

I never saw Bryce with a girl before so it is an unusual sight. He has also toned down his flirty ways. He must actually like her.

I glance out into the parking lot and see Graham’s car idling at the curb. His door opens and he is about to exit it, so I wrap up this awkward gathering and excuse myself to go to him. I don’t need to add him to this situation. I am sure Hanna will act even colder in his presence. She may have moved on, however, I imagine she still harbors some resentment toward him.

Graham greets me with a huge hug and a kiss to my forehead.

“How was class?” he asks, looking behind me at the building.

“Not as riveting as you would imagine a Human Behavior class to be. Quite boring today, actually. I had other things on my”—I bite my bottom lip—“mind.”

He chuckles at my response and helps me into the passenger side. He walks around the front, winks at me through the windshield, and then settles into the driver’s seat. “Want to grab a light lunch before your appointment?” He starts the engine, and the soft purr is barely audible over my racing heartbeat.

“Um, my stomach is in knots.”

“Then, let’s just get a snack. Maybe a pretzel?”

“FromLet’s Get Twisted?” There is hope in my voice. I really do love a good soft pretzel.

“Yup. There’s one that just opened up right downtown.”

“That does sound good. I’ll have to tell Claire one opened.” That woman may claim she is a slut for margaritas and pancakes, but I think soft pretzels would also be welcome to join her food orgy. I guess it depends on how gourmet they are.

Graham smiles and pulls away from the curb. It takes us just ten minutes to get back across the bridge and parked along the street a block away from the new pretzel shop, which specializes in gourmet soft creations.

He helps me out of the seat and keeps his hand in mine as we walk along the street together. A group of people holding cameras up ahead makes my heart rate quicken, but as we approach, I learn that the people are just tourists.

“Why am I no longer being harassed by reporters and photographers?”

“Because I went to the heads and struck a deal after they printed what they did. I couldn’t put a stop to everything but I sure tried.”

“What type of deal?”

“One involving a large sum of money. And some exclusive future interviews to be cashed in.” He shrugs. “I did what any good businessman would do. I negotiated.”

I look up into his eyes and am in awe that a man loves me so much to go through such lengths to protect me. “Thank you,” I mouth. Sometimes I wonder if he is going to wake up one day and question whether or not I’m worth it. “But your reputation is tarnished by looking like a playboy.”

“Society is weird, Angie. I just want you to ignore the press and focus on your short-term goals. Okay?”

“Okay.”

Let’s Get Twisted is crowded with a line stretching outside the store. I have ample time to look at the menu and settle on the twisted nuggets sampler with six different flavors—ranch, cheddar, maple bacon, sweet cream cheese, apple pie, and garlic herb. The line moves fast, and we manage to snag a table near the window to enjoy the doughy goodness.

“I want you to relax, Angie. You seem so uptight,” Graham says, taking hold of my hand. “You are not alone on this journey. And these first few steps are likely the hardest.”

I swallow my bite and nod. “I’m just so nervous. Vulnerable.”

“Those aren’t bad emotions. Just think of the positives about today.”

I smile and dip another piece of the apple pie flavor into the caramel dip. “Did you know Hanna is dating one of my classmates?”

“Hanna, my ex-assistant?”

“Yup,” I mumble, as my mouth is stuffed full of pretzel.

“No. This is news to me.”

“Same.”

---