The sun had disappeared below the hills of West Austin before the last of the guests pulled away. The metallic slam of disassembling tables and displays rose up from the backyard to the second-floor movie room. The caterers had nearly cleaned and packed everything.
I curled up on the couch in my jersey pajamas, sipping a hot water with lemon. Prime rib, fried mushrooms, and cheesecake—my stomach roiled with the sudden departure from my clean eating habits.
Graham’s feet thumped softly on the stairs as he brought up a bowl of popcorn.
“Air popped. No butter. I know you’re recovering from the food explosion of today.”
“I definitely overdid it.”
In his left hand, he also had a small gift bag.
“What is that?”
“Open it.”
My eyes misted over. He was doing it again—being irresistible. “Yo
