Page 97 of Until Joy

“Promise me you'll be careful. Don't take unnecessary risks just to protect me.”

Graham cupped my face in his hands. “I promise to be as careful as I can while still keeping you safe. That's the best I can do.”

It wasn't the answer I wanted, but it was the honest one. I nodded, standing on my toes to kiss him softly.

I picked up his hand and glanced at the watch on his wrist. “I need to get to work. I'm already late enough. July's going to think I'm taking advantage of the schedule change.”

I got up off his lap and went to the kitchen to grab my purse from the top of the fridge, digging for my car keys.

“Nope.” Graham plucked the keys from my fingers before I could close my hand around them.

“What do you mean, nope?”

“I mean, from now on, I'm your ride to and from work. No more driving alone.”

I opened my mouth to argue, then stopped. The thought of the Dublin woman flashed through my mind, broken and traumatized.

“Okay.” I dropped my purse back onto the counter. “I guess there are some perks to having a stalker after all.”

Graham's laugh was strained. “What kind of perks?”

“Chauffeured rides to work.” I managed a weak smile. “Very fancy.”

He shook his head, but I caught the relief in his expression. “Come on, Princess. Your chariot awaits.”

Chapter 25

The moment I pulled into the clinic's parking lot, I knew we had a problem. Cars packed every available space, spilling out onto the street in a chaotic mess of bumpers and bad parking jobs. A line of people snaked from the clinic's front door, stretching at least twenty deep with everything from nervous-looking teenagers clutching cat carriers to elderly folks with dogs that looked older than Moses.

“Shit.” Joy pressed her face against the passenger window. “I completely forgot. It's free vaccination day.”

I circled the lot twice, hunting for an opening that didn't exist. Every spot was taken, including the ones that weren't technically spots but patches of grass where desperate pet owners had squeezed their vehicles.

“Graham, you can just drop me off at the front door.”

“Not happening. No way in hell I'm leaving you alone with all these strangers milling around.” I swung the truck around again, and found a place out in back of the clinic, where others had already parked. I just parked behind them. It wasn’t a place that would normally be allowed by July, but I joined the circus.

“It's just pet owners getting their animals vaccinated.”

“It's a crowd of people we don't know, and your stalker could be hiding in plain sight. I'm staying at the clinic today.”

Joy's eyebrows shot up. “But Graham. I know what he looks like.”

“He could have shaved his head and grown a beard for all we know. Nope, it’s not a risk I’m willing to take.”

“But all day? Graham, you'll be bored out of your mind.”

“I'll find something to do.”

The walk to the clinic took longer than I'd expected, weaving through the crowd of pet owners who were now forming an impromptu line down the sidewalk. Joy waved at several people she recognized, her natural warmth drawing smiles despite the early morning chaos.

“Joy!” Kayan's voice carried over the noise as we reached the front door. “Thank God you're here. We're drowning.”

July appeared behind her, clipboard in hand and stress written across her face. “I didn't expect this many people. The free vaccination program has been more popular than we anticipated.”

“What can I do to help?” Joy immediately slipped into work mode.

“Get checked in and grab a smock. We need all hands on deck.” July's gaze shifted to me. “Graham, you're welcome to wait in the break room, but it might be a while.”