Ah, I could have mercy on Val, but where would be the fun in that? I might not feel comfortable sharing sexy details with her, but I could definitely confirm her question. Hailey and Maddie were looking at me with equal enthusiasm.

I nodded once, rubbing my hands together wickedly and wiggling my eyebrows. They got the message. Nonverbal communication was second nature in the Connor household, what with a seven-year-old running around. Plus, certain conversations were not meant to be carried out loud when the room was so full of testosterone.

I observed Graham over the rim of my glass, drinking him in. He was wearing a white polo shirt that stretched over his muscular torso. The sleeves cut right into his mouth-watering biceps. His abs weren't visible, even though the shirt fit him snugly, but I knew they were there, mine to explore later.

Val's casserole was delicious. She made it from one of Dad's old recipes, and it included peas and garlic, as well as caramelized onions. The vapors wafting around the dining table were enough to make one salivate.

After dinner, Hailey and I cleared the table. While we were loading the dishwasher, she asked me about Jeff. Val had filled her in about his semi-threatening e-mail. After I replied to Jeff’s e-mail, I’d expected him to explain his request. Instead, he simply said he wanted to meet when he’d be in town in a couple of weeks, because he preferred to talk face-to-face.

"He’s got some nerve," Hailey said.

"Who's got some nerve?" Graham's voice came from behind us, startling us. He was carrying some glasses, which Hailey stacked in the dishwasher.

"Milo's father," I whispered.

"You're in contact with him?"

"Not exactly. He e-mailed me. I ignored him at first, but he kept insisting, so I replied. He says he wants to meet in a few weeks when he’ll be in LA.”

"Don’t worry, sis. We have your back,” Hailey said. Graham drew his brows together. He looked... mad. My insides churned. Why was he mad?

Chapter Twenty-One

Graham

Milo fell asleep on the drive to Lori's house. We didn't wake him up when we arrived. He rested his head on my shoulder when I scooped him up, and he didn't even budge while I carried him to his bed. He was the cutest kid.

There was no reason for me to linger in Lori's living room afterward. We'd agreed that it was too early for me to spend the night here, even though I wanted to. We were meeting tomorrow morning, and I'd scheduled a phone call with Nana in ten minutes, but I didn't want to leave yet.

"What's wrong?" she asked.

"Nothing."

"That's not true. You've been different since after dinner."

She'd caught on to that? I'd been hoping she wouldn't. I wanted to let the issue slide away, mostly because I wasn't sure exactly why this was bothering me so much.

"Graham?"

"Why didn't you tell me your ex contacted you?"

"I don't know; I didn't think about it."

"You told your entire family, but not me."

"Of course I told my family," Lori said slowly, as if she didn't understand where I was going with this. If I was honest, neither was I. I felt out of my depths, and I wasn't used to this feeling. "I tell them everything. It's second nature to me."

"But telling me isn't."

"Graham, we've known each for—"

"Almost two months." My voice came out harsher than I'd expected. "I didn't know you two were in contact."

"We aren't. He e-mails once a year when he's here on a conference or something, and I turn him down."

"You turn him down? You mean he wants to hook up with you?"

"Keep your voice down," she said through gritted teeth. I hadn't even realized I'd raised my voice. Fuck, what if I'd woken Milo up? I ran a hand through my hair, processing this and trying to remain calm. But I wasn’t calm, damn it. Was this a red flag? I’d taken a giant leap of faith here. If she didn’t want to share things with me, was I just being a fool?

Tags: Layla Hagen The Connor Family Romance
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