Graham glanced at me, then at Victor. “Is everything okay?”
I sighed and finally met Victor’s eyes, if only to bask in their pain.
I wasn’t disappointed. He’d paled, his brown eyes dull and defeated. His eye was twitching—something that told me he was close to losing it.
“Please,” he whispered, his eyes locked on me.
“Don’t wait up,” I told him, turning back to Graham. “Shall we?”
Graham nodded at Victor, more of a cursory goodbye than anything else. Then we walked to his car, his hand resting on the base of my back.
My heart was thundering in my chest, wondering what Victor would do next when?—
“Lila, please. Baby, I’m sorry. Don’t—” His voice cracked. “Please don’t go out with him.”
Graham stopped and I turned to see Victor stomping halfway down the driveway, scowling.
“I know I hurt you. I’m so fucking sorry. But this?” He waved a hand at Graham. “Isn’t going to make you feel better. He isn’t me, baby.”
I studied him as Graham sighed.
“I know he isn’t you. That’sexactlywhy I’m going. Now, leave me alone.” I turned to the passenger door, which Graham held open for me, gazing at Victor, who looked like he was about to cry or break down. I stared straight ahead as Graham walkedaround to the front of the car, sliding in beside me. His cologne tickled my nostrils, reminding me of hot Greek nights beneath the stars.
“Are you alright?” he asked, starting the car. It purred beneath him as it slid away from the drive, leaving Victor staring after us like a broken man.
“I’m fine,” I replied shakily, clipping in my belt. “It’s expected.”
“It’s so good to see you,” Graham said, flashing me a pearly white smile. “Pregnancy suits you.”
I grinned. “Thank you.”
“How is everything going with the baby?”
Graham seemed genuinely interested as I told him how I’d been feeling better, but I left out the raging libido. He kept gazing at me, like I was something rare. Like he was hungry for me.
I didn’t know what to do with that. So instead, I answered his questions and asked why he was here.
“I had some business on the east coast.”
My brows flew up. “That’s quite a way from here.”
He gave me a lazy grin. “I’d fly around the world to see you again, Lila.”
The butterflies went crazy again. My cheeks flushed and I looked away, unable to contain my smile.
“I’m very flattered,” I responded quietly.
“You look like you need a night away from that house, if you don’t mind me saying.”
“I don’t mind at all. It’s not easy living with your soon to be ex-husband.”
“I can imagine. He looks like he’s paying quite the price for losing you though. He’s a good-looking man, but I’m sure he’s looked better.”
My mind drifted to Victor, how he had lost weight and his world, pretty much. But he was still beautiful. He’d always been beautiful.
My heart ached. Memories of us driving to restaurants like this, our hands entwined. How he’d look at me like there was no one else in the world.
How he’d ruined us.
