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Graha you only once in the past fiveseparated from you for four months seems insane?"

I lean aze "The preent says there’ll be TV and radio talk show appearances before then, probably starting next week"

He grimaces "Emma, I’m not the star of School Pride--you and Reid are I’ll be at the premiere, of course, but most of those other appearances will just be the two of you"

For some reason, I’d not considered this possibility "Huh," I say, and Graham chuckles

Chapter 2

GRAHAM

Telling her I’m not possessive isn’t technically a lie… but it’s not completely true, either, particularly where Reid Alexander is concerned After watching how he ed to win Emma’s trust last fall--even if he blew it shortly thereafter--I have a grudging respect for his ability to play char That part of his persona isn’t faked He’s just too selfish and immature to care about the bodies he leaves in his wake Literally

I’m ninety-nine percent certain Eain, but that one percent of insecurity nags at the back of my e to go all alpha- Reid on Brooke’s behalf, followed by a desire to pound the shit out of hi to clai lance down at her worried face, gathering froht of you spending time with him" God If my mother or sisters heard me say this, I’d never hear the end of it

E as she reveals a slow smile "You don’t need to be jealous of Reid, you know"

I griuess I sort of don’t know"

She stares at our clasped hands, dragging the tips of her fingers overere somewhere more private "Last month, he talked to me after the photo shoot wrapped up He told me wanted another chance I don’t kno sincere he was, really--I mean, he’s Reid, so who knows--but he seemed more earnest than he’s ever been"

They spoke privately that last night at the hotel, in his rooht her hand and held her back as the rest of us poured into the hallway, and I watched frohtly-ajar door as she left his room minutes later She was in tears as she pushed open the door to her roos were torn I didn’t want her unhappy, but I was relieved that whatever was said between them hadn’t resulted in a reunion of any sort

Reid Alexander has never, that I know of, been good for anyone

"What he had to say didn’tup at uy I wanted, even if I was sure I couldn’t have hih softly, shaking my head "I had no idea You could clean up as a poker player, Eot no tell"

Just then, the train e for the Manhattan Bridge, one of several leading into Brooklyn The sun in our eyes renders the scene se, at first And then, individual bea the opposite bank, reflecting like waves off the skyscrapers behind us and sparkling across the short expanse of water It’s a ical view, one to which few people are iunto leave New York once she moves here

My oldest sister, Cassie, is an early riser If we get off at DeKalb, we can be at her loft in minutes I pull outI like the sight of it there way too much

Me: You up? I want you to h? It’s not even 7 am! WHO is this someone???

Me: Yes and yes and i know and emma

Cas: THE emma?

Me: Yeah

Cas: But I’m not presentable!

Me: No worries, she’s not like that