Graham: I request photographic evidence.
I sent him a selfie of the two of us.
Graham: You have a beautiful smile, Lori.
I wasn't just smiling in the picture. I was sporting a grin that took up my entire face—the kind of photo dentists might display in their waiting room.
Lori: Thanks. And I will pay you for the next tickets.
Graham: Of course you will. In spades. But not with money.
A sizzle coursed through me, energizing me from the tip of my toes through my sternum.
Lori: That's right... dinner.
Graham: I've upped my price in the meantime.
Lori: Oh? And what does the new price entail?
Graham: I'll tell you in person.
Oh, boy. That sizzle turned into a full-on inferno. Graham had made my body come alive in ways no one had before him. Even though hours had passed, it sure hadn't dimmed the adrenaline spike from his kiss.
Chapter Nine
Lori
On Friday, I arrived with Milo at four o'clock at Val's house. My sisters were in the kitchen, and I was surprised to find that Jace had arrived earlier too. He was leaning against the counter. Milo shot right toward him.
"Uncle Jace, can you show me that dribble you did in your last game?"
"That was the result of two months' work, buddy. If you tried it now, you'd break a leg and your momma would hang me from my... feet."
I chuckled, knowing he'd been about to say balls. I'd instated an ironclad no-swearing rule since Milo started repeating everything he heard. Five years later, my brothers still had trouble adhering to it. Sometimes, so did I. When shit hit the fan, eff just didn't give me the satisfaction saying fuck did.
At Milo's disappointed expression, Jace added, "But we can work up to it. I'll show you the basics today."
That put the smile right back on my boy's face. I kissed both my sisters' cheeks, and then Jace's.
"You've got some new plants on the porch. They're beautiful."
Val nodded. "All Maddie's work."
Maddie was a very talented landscaper. A few months back, she'd redone Val's entire yard. I couldn't wait for the jacaranda trees to be in full bloom.
"You're here early," I remarked.
"Practice ended earlier. Thought I'd show Milo some tricks before dinner."
I gave my brother a second kiss on his cheek, just because. Milo skidded to the backyard without waiting to be told.
"You should go after him," Hailey told Jace.
"Are you shooing me out?" he inquired.
"It's for your own good," Hailey insisted.
"Or you might unwillingly partake in girl talk," Val explained.