Page 87 of The Exception

He chuckled. “And here I thought marriage might help you get in touch with your feelings,” he teased.

“I may not wear my feelings on my sleeve like some people—” I gave him a meaningful look “—but that doesn’t mean I’m not in touch with them.”

“Touché.” He tilted his glass at me before downing the rest. “I’m glad you found Lily. Em might be a pain in my ass at times, but I can’t imagine my life without her.”

“You should mention that in your next award acceptance speech,” I deadpanned.

“Oh, I will. But more importantly, I tell her that every damn day.”

I moved to leave, but he placed a hand on my shoulder, steadying me. “I know I’m being sappy, but fuck.” He smoothed a hand over his hair. “It’s the anniversary of…” He trailed off. We both knew exactly what today marked, even if we weren’t willing to say it aloud.

The day his parents and mine had died in a plane crash. The day that had changed the entire trajectory of our family’s lives.

“I know.” My tone was solemn. As if I could forget.

“Come on,” Nate said. “Let’s go celebrate the fact that we’re alive with the people we love.”

Love.I was incapable of love. But Nate didn’t seem to think so.

Was Lily right about me? Was I the one who needed to alter my thoughts?

The song changed, shifting to something slower. A man approached Lily, and I shoved my hands into my pockets, watching, waiting to see how she’d react. She was smiling, but it was tight, forced. And even after she shook her head, the man didn’t budge. When he turned his head, I saw red.

Moretti.

First, he was trying to take my company, and now my wife?

I stalked over to them. “Lily.” Her name came out as more of a snarl. I wrapped my arm around her waist. “Sorry for the delay. You good?”

She nodded.

“Moretti.” I lifted my chin. “I see you’ve met my wife.”

“Yes,” he mused. “Congratulations. And I look forward to discussing the marriage of our two illustrious companies.”

Fucking Moretti.

I ground my molars, but before I could say anything, Lily jumped in. “Graham, it’s our song.”

I peered down at her, trying not to let my confusion show.Our song?Her eyes sparkled, and I found myself nodding. “That’s right. Dance with me.”

I ignored Moretti completely, sweeping my wife onto the dance floor. She placed her hand in mine and rested the other on my shoulder. I slid my hand over her hip. She smelled fucking delicious. It calmed me, but I could still feel Moretti’s eyes on us, watching us. I didn’t like it.

“Graham,” she said, placing her palm on my cheek and smiling up at me. “Relax.”

“I. Can’t,” I gritted out.

She laughed as if I’d said the funniest thing in the world. Then she leaned in, her lips grazing the shell of my ear. “Yes. You can.”

“You’re the one who told me to show some emotion.” I spun her out before pulling her back into me, holding her even closer than before. I cupped her hand over my heart, our pelvises kissing.

“You were definitely showing some emotion. You looked like you were going to rip his head off.” She arched her brow.

“He’d deserve it.”

“Completely agree. I was two seconds away from kneeing him in the balls before you showed up.”

“You were?” I asked.

---