Page 45 of Our Unexpected Beginning
“It’s okay.” Graham patted her thigh. “I believe it is item fourteen.”
“I’m sorry, can you try that again in English?”
Graham fumbled in the console and grabbed his phone. “Here, pull up the notes.”
Julia obeyed and scrolled down through their quiz to question fourteen.
14. What’s one item from your bucket list?
Graham - go to Thailand
Julia - see the universe
She remembered the night they talked about their list. Some items seemed silly, while others bordered on impossible.
“I don’t have my passport.”
Graham gave her a mischievous grin. “We don’t need that where we’re going.”
“Did we forget what happens when Julia is around surprises?”
“But I’m in charge of this one.”
“By the scenery, I’m wondering if we’re going to do a remake of every cliché Lifetime movie about escaping a serial killer.” She noted she hadn’t spotted a house in the past few miles.
Graham had turned down a dirt road, causing the truck to bounce and Julia to groan. Her stomach twisted in protest, a reminder that she had yet to tell him about the little life growing inside her. It was a detail she had beenselfishly avoiding, wanting to savor their time together before the inevitable shift in their relationship.
But as she looked over at him, his face focused on the rough terrain ahead and the truck’s engine revving in response, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. She knew she couldn’t keep this secret forever, and she also knew that Graham deserved to know. But she didn’t know how to bring it up without changing the easy dynamic they had created.
As they reached the top of the hill, Graham pulled over to the side and turned off the engine. He looked over at her with a small smile. “We made it,” he said, his voice soft and full of affection.
She peered out of the windshield, looking out to the empty area outside the line of trees. There was a tent and fire pit already set for visitors, and Julia looked over at him. “Do you not like my bed that much?” She teased, unable to hold back a smile, her heart swelling with adoration for this man who had become such an important part of her life.
Before he could reply, the shrill ring of his phone chimed through the truck’s speakers. It auto-connected on the third ring, the interior filling with an unfamiliar voice.
“Hello, this is Christian Michaels, and I’m with The Reporter. I was hoping to get a moment of your time.”
“Oh for fucks sake.” Graham sighed heavily in annoyance. “Sir,” Graham’s tone was terse. “With respectto your job, please save yourself and everyone else the time and stop barking up this tree.”
“I’m sure you can understand that Senator Rutford left behind a legacy.”
Julia noticed as his grip on the wheel tightened in frustration. “That might be so. However, it has nothing to do with me.”
“Mr. Sawyer, you have the right to a claim on his estate–you are his son.”
“Genetically, that is correct. But my grandparents raised me, and I have no want or desire to have anything to do with this matter. Mr. Michaels, I suggest you lose my number, or our next conversation will not be as polite.”
Graham disconnected the phone and sighed. “See, everyone has some dysfunction.” His smile didn’t reach his eyes.
Julia placed her hand on his and they sat in silence. She understood the complicated dynamics of family. And until now Julia realized she’d assumed he had everything together.
Graham cleared his throat and hopped out of the truck. He came around to her side and opened her door. Julia slipped out and wrapped her arms around him. “I’m not one to throw stones and all.”
He pressed his finger to her lips and shook his head. “I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” Graham kissed her lips softly. “Later. We have to set up before it gets dark.”
“So what Tori Spelling movie are we roleplaying?” Julia teased looking around the campsite, noticing there were no signs of any other people.
“You’re so full of fire today.” He handed her a blanket, grabbing a duffle bag from under the seat. “I can string you to a tree with my belt and there’s nobody around to hear you beg.”
