Page 38 of Just for the Cameras
“Maybe you can hold back on inebriation until we’re done with our scheduling and planning?”
“Not making any promises,” he says as a server joins us.
“Hello.” She sets down some bread on our table as well as some water. “Can I get you started with something to drink?”
“Guinness,” he says, making me cringe.
Yikes, that’s some thick beer.
“Tall,” he adds.
Looks like I’m going to need to work fast. Then again, his body mass is large, so he might be able to guzzle down three of those and not even feel a hint of a buzz.
“And you?” the server asks.
“Um, could I have a glass of your chardonnay, please?”
She nods and takes off.
When I glance up at Graydon, he studies me for a moment before turning back to his menu.
“What?” I ask. When he doesn’t respond, I nudge my foot against his leg, which causes him to raise one brow. “Why were you just looking at me like that?”
“Surprised is all,” he answers.
“Surprised about what?”
“That you drink.”
“Do you think I’m not old enough or something?”
“No, you just seem like a goody-two-shoes is all.”
“How so?” I ask, slightly offended.
He leans back in the booth, assessing me. “You just give off that kind of vibe.”
“Well, I’m not. I’ve done some pretty crazy things. And I’ve gotten drunk several times.”
“Wow, several?” He presses his hand to his chest. “Jesus, I better watch out.”
My eyes narrow. “You’re so…rude.”
“Would you rather I fake it?”
“I’m sure you know how. You’ve probably learned from every woman you’ve ever been with.”
The insult flies past my lips before I can stop it, and I almost let out a burst of laughter, because man, that was a quick one. An old one-two punch I wasn’t expecting to escape my mouth. Then again, Graydon St. John has been able to get under my skin faster than anyone, which means I think he pulls the snarky out of me.
I’m half tempted to pull my phone out and text Everly, let her know that I just burned Graydon to the point of being—
“If they were faking it, it’s only because they couldn’t handle the real thing, something I’m sure you know plenty about.”
My mouth falls open in shock, my brain short-circuiting because…how?
I thought I had him.
I thought—
