Page 65 of The Exception

“It is. Have you stayed there?”

“Once with Graham. For work. He has the original key to the palace in his penthouse.”

“Don’t you mean your penthouse?” Emerson asked.

“Yes. Of course.” I rushed to course correct. “I’m still getting used to the fact that it’s my home too.”

“When you said that you and Graham stayed at the Huxley Grand Abu Dhabi, were you together then?”

I shook my head, reminding myself that they’d gone off with Brooklyn and missed that part of the conversation. “Our relationship was never anything but professional while I worked for him.” I wanted to make sure that distinction was made because it was important to me, but I knew it was even more so to Graham.

I clenched my fists so tight my nails dug into my palms. I might be pissed with him for hacking my blog. And keeping it a secret after we’d promised no more secrets. I sure as shit wasn’t going to let that go without more of an explanation. But I also wasn’t going to let my emotions stand in the way of twenty million dollars.

“So, when did things change?” Emerson asked, leaning in as if for a juicy morsel.

“Not until well after I stopped being his assistant.”

“Come on, Lily,” Emerson said. “You’ve gotta give us more than that. We just found out that Graham—a man who is locked up tighter than Fort Knox—is married. And has been in a secret relationship. I’m going to need to know more.”

“Em.” Kendall nudged her. “She didn’t come here for an interrogation.”

Emerson raised her hands in surrender. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I should know better. I’m just so surprised. Aren’t you?” She turned to Kendall.

“I’m just happy to have another fun new sister-in-law.” She gave me a warm smile.

“Thanks,” I said. I could imagine being friends with them, and it made me sad that this was only temporary. “Have either of you visited that location?”

The breeze toyed with Emerson’s blond ponytail. “I went to Abu Dhabi with Nate and Brooklyn when he was filming a movie there.”

“The new Meghan Hart adaptation?” I asked, eager to keep the conversation focused on her. When she nodded, I said, “I saw a preview for it recently. I can’t wait to watch it.”

“I’ll be sure to put you and Graham on the guest list for the screening.”

Oh, he’ll love that.But if he wanted us to convince his family we were a happy couple in love, then he’d need to put in the work. I smirked at the idea of forcing him to sit through a romantic movie. He’d hate it.

And he’d deserve it after what he’d done.

“Thanks. That sounds amazing. Hopefully the timing will work out with our schedule.”

“Yeah. Sounds like you two are going to be busy. I want to hear more about this French château you’re restoring,” Kendall said. “Does it have a winery? And when can we come visit?”

“No winery, but it’s set on twenty-three hectares of land and has the most incrediblegrand allée. And maybe someday you can come visit, but I’d recommend waiting, as it doesn’t have heating or air conditioning yet.”

“Wow.” Kendall’s eyes widened. “Yeah. Maybe I’ll wait.”

We all laughed.

“If you’re interested in the progress of the restoration, check out my YouStream channel.”

“Oh, I definitely will!” Kendall said.

“I know I promised no more questions, but can I just ask one more thing about Graham?” Emerson asked, unwilling to let the matter go. Part of me understood. I’d want more details if I were them too. Even so, I dreaded their questions and hoped I could keep my answers straight. “I have to know—” She glanced at Kendall and chewed on her lip. “Did you always have a crush on him?”

I let out a surprised laugh, both in relief and at the question itself. “I mean…not at first. Yes, he’s hot. But he can be a pain in the ass too.”There. Honesty.I was trying to stick to the truth as much as possible.

And apparently Graham thought of me as “annoying” and the bane of his existence. So, in my mind, calling him a pain in the ass was pretty generous.

Emerson smirked. “Apparently that’s a trait that runs in the male side of the family. Sloan is lovely.”

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