Chapter 40

CHAPTER FORTY

Lola

Despite what Marcus told me to do, I stayed at the coffee shop all day and worked in the back office. I was hoping Graham would finally get bored and go home, but he didn’t.

Eight hours later, he must be determined to see me as he is still standing outside. He must be freezing.

I decide to do the honorable thing and unlock the door.

“What do you want, Graham?”

“I want to talk.” He storms in, looking frantic. “I want you to come home.”

“That’s not up for debate,” I say calmly, then mouth wait to Declan, who is making himself a drink behind the counter. He gives me a quick nod of reassurance.

Pacing back and forth, Graham shoots a look at Declan and points at him. “Are you screwing him? Is that what you meant when you said you’d moved on?”

“Don’t do this.” I’m not in the mood for this today. I hold up my finger in the air and apologize for his unreasonable behavior. “Sorry, Declan, ignore him.”

“Or is it Marcus? I saw him here this morning,” Graham spits. “Is that what he’s into? Mother and daughter tag teaming?”

I curl my upper lip. “You’re disgusting.”

“Who is he then?”

“You don’t know him. And it’s none of your business,” I firmly state.

“It is my business. You’re still mine,” he hisses through his hideously oversized clenched teeth.

“I’m not. You cheated on me and stole from me.”

“Which I planned to invest, but it didn’t quite work out that way.”

“Please stop lying.” I’m past caring what he did with the money. “The minute I caught you screwing Nicole, we were over. You’re nothing special, Graham. In fact, you’re a lowlife piece of shit who used me to get what you wanted, and what I want is for you to leave me alone. You tainted everything about us that I thought was good. None of it was real.” It’s made letting him go easier.

He ignores me because he knows I’m right. “You changed your number?”

I smile wickedly without giving him an answer. Best. Decision. Ever.

“You’re such a bitch.” He steps forward, but Declan is by my side before he can get any closer.

“I think you should leave now, Graham, before Declan calls the cops.” Defiantly, I stand, arms crossed around my stomach.

What did I ever see in his pathetic ass?

Like a caged animal, Graham’s eyes bounce from me to Declan. “It’s him, admit it,” he accuses.

“Unlike you, Graham, I don’t sleep with my managers.”

“Who is he then?” Fists clenched, his tone is laced with fury.

I tap my fingers against my folded arm and look up playfully, as if thinking about it really hard. “Oh, let’s see now. He’s handsome, funny, smart, has great teeth, naturally of course, unlike yours.” Graham is going to hate that I said that. “Great with his hands. And treats me with respect.”

“I won’t sleep thinking about you being with him.”

“Oh, I slept just fine right next to my new man the night I caught you cheating on me. Although there wasn’t much sleeping.” I’m going to hell and have a huge apology to make to Declan. This is very out of character for me. My private life is very private, but Graham has made me stoop to his level.

Graham glares at me, the skin of his cheeks and forehead flushing with color. “You slept with someone the same night you left me?” His body tensed, he trembles with rage.

“You slept with someone for months when we were engaged. Just so we are clear, we had split up and we were no longer together. I never cheated on you.”

Launching himself at me, I flinch but Declan is quick to step in to protect me from whatever the hell Graham was about to do.

“Don’t even think about it.” Much broader than Graham, Declan easily overshadows him and could confidently throw him to the ground to protect me if he had to. “Leave, now. Before I make you.” He points at the door. “And don’t ever come back or I will rearrange the teeth in your head. It might knock some sense into you.”

Graham shouts over Declan’s shoulder, where he continues to shield me. “You will fucking regret this.” His words are sharp and clipped, like he’s a man on the edge, about to explode.

I want him out of my coffee shop before he does. “I already regret letting you into my life. You’re the worst decision I ever made.” I spin around and walk toward the restroom. “Please see Graham out, Declan.”

“I fucking hate you, Lola,” Graham screams.

I don’t like you much either, Graham.