Page 119 of The Exception

“It is.” Though I’d already been brainstorming ways to spend more time at the château. I hadn’t told her that yet, though. I didn’t want to get her hopes up. I didn’t want to promise something I wasn’t sure I could deliver.

“Did you mean what you said earlier?” she asked. Even though she was being vague, I knew exactly what she was referring to.

I pushed up on my elbow, peering down at her. “Yes.” I cupped her cheek. “I meant every word. I love you, Lily.”

It wasn’t as terrifying to say it now as it had been the first time. Knowing my feelings were reciprocated definitely helped.

She smiled—a smile full of hope and relief. “I love you too, Graham.”

As I fell asleep that night, Lily in my arms, I felt content. Hopeful, in a way I hadn’t been in a long time.

CHAPTERTWENTY-SEVEN

“So, if I’m Mr. Darcy,” Graham said. “Does that mean you admit you’re obstinate and headstrong?”

“What?” I glanced up from my laptop. We were headed back to LA, and I was trying to get some edits done during the flight. I’d done my best to stockpile some content before we’d left so I’d be able to continue my release schedule for my YouStream channel, but I was realizing this was going to be a constant balancing act—living between two countries. Two worlds.

“Elizabeth Bennet,” Graham said. “She’s obstinate and headstrong.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “She thinks for herself, unlike many of the women of her time.”

“I know. It’s what I like about her. Though, she is awfully quick to judge Darcy’s actions.”

Wait. What?I jerked my head back. “Are we seriously discussingPride and Prejudiceright now?”

“Yeah. Keep up.” There was a teasing glint in his eyes.

“I’m sorry. I thought you said, and I quote, ‘I don’t have time for pleasure reading, and I’m pretty sure that book wouldn’t make the cut.’” I’d pitched my voice low in a poor attempt to mimic him.

“I listened to it on audiobook at two-times speed one of the days while I stripped the lead paint in the entry hall. And then I startedACOTAR, though Carson had to help me figure that one out.”

I stared at him, mouth agape. “You what?”

“ACOTAR.A Court of Thorns and Roses. I didn’t realize it was an acronym at first.”

I furrowed my brow. “You listened to them?”

“The audiobooks, yeah. Some people claim it’s not ‘reading,’ but I think that’s bullshit.” He pursed his lips. “It’s also a bit ableist, to be honest.”

“I…uh. Yeah.”Wow.

“The book was better than I’d expected,” he continued, oblivious.

“Which one?” I asked.

“Both.”

I arched my brow. “Interesting.”

“It was. And while I wouldn’t want to go back to the time period ofPride and Prejudice—especially because of what it would mean for women’s rights and equality generally—the idea of set social rules is appealing.”

I smirked, setting my laptop aside. Of course that would appeal to him. Expectations. A societal code of conduct. Still, I couldn’t believe he’d readPride and Prejudice.Whyhad he read it?

“Because it’s something you enjoy,” he said, making me realize I’d asked the question aloud.

So sexy. He’d read a book because I’d mentioned how much I loved it? Talk about speaking my love language.

“Do you want to discuss it some more in private?” I arched my brow.

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