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“We can discuss that more in depth later,” I tease. “I think he might back off if he knows we’re together.”
He chuckles darkly. “You sure know how to get to me, Bee.”
“So?”
“I’ll never say no to you. Especially because it won’t take any effort to pretend to be with you.”
“Bills?” Graham calls out. But he isn’t looking at me. He’s looking directly at Sean with his well mastered scowl. “My mom said you were in town,” he spits out. “I knew you’d be here.”
Fear suddenly knots inside me. My face is hot—my fingers tingling. I can’t move.
“Graham,” Sean says for me, bitterness lacing his voice.
Graham glances at me now, his nose flared.
“And you are?” Graham asks, his voice hoarse with frustration.
“Her boyfriend,” Sean says matter-of-factly.
My body finally releases me from its paralysis, moving my head up to watch Sean. He’s perfectly composed.
“Boyfriend?” Graham relaxes his eyes, his cheeks flushing.
Sean grabs my waist, his fingers just above my hip. “Yup. Boyfriend,” Sean repeats.
“Well, boyfriend, can I have a moment with our girl here?”
Sean’s fingers tense around me.
“No,” I say. “If you want to talk, Sean stays.”
“I want to speak with you privately.” His head tilts, taking a swig of beer.
The words come out quickly, with no hesitation. “You lost that privilege a long time ago.”
His jaw tilts sideways. “Fine. My mom mentioned you had dinner together?”
“Yeah, we did.”
He smiles, that charming yet completely punchable smile.
“What, no invite?”
“Apparently you don’t really need one. You just show up places regardless of whether you’re welcome or not.”
He laughs. “You realize I’m over here every week right? This isn’t just me randomly showing up to Maggie’s party. Just because I left you, doesn’t mean I left my best friend.”
A sharp breath hitches in my throat. I think I might throw up.
“Good thing you did,” Sean says sharply.
“What?” Graham stiffens, a shadow of annoyance crossing his face.
“Because now I get another chance with her. So thanks for that, buddy.”
His smug smile mirrors Graham’s, making Graham squirm.
Graham’s fist clutches his bottle of beer. He bites his lip, flicking it out, irritated. “What do you mean by another chance?” he asks.
