Twenty-nine
Danica
Flashes pop and dazzle as I focus on the red carpet beneath my feet.
“Austin! Austin! Over here!”
I resist the urge to shield my eyes, reminding myself that this is a tribute to all of his success.
“Smile,” Austin murmurs, his voice barely audible over the clicking of the cameras. He offers his arm with that laid-back grace, and I cling a little tighter, grateful to have him.
We slip past the hotel’s gilded doors, and it’s like stepping into another realm, one where everyone knows your name, or at least they pretend to. Employees line the hallways, talking and introducing each other to their guests. Almost every one reaches out for a handshake or brief exchange with Austin. His eyes meet theirs with genuine warmth, but there’s a flicker of something else, something that tells me he’s preoccupied as well.
“Fantastic turnout, Mr. Sands,” someone says.
“This is a big celebration,” he replies with a nod, ever humble.
It takes an eternity to navigate the well-wishers, and Austin introduces me to so many people, I can’t remember any names. But finally, we enter the ballroom. The sight that greets us sweeps away the commotion of our entrance. Expansive windows frame the San Francisco skyline, twinkling lights echoing the stars above. Below, the Bay shimmers, an endless expanse of dark, moving silk, while above us, chandeliers drip crystals like frozen rain. Every ballroom in the hotel has been commandeered for tonight’s event, each one more opulent than the last.
“Look at that view,” I breathe, momentarily forgetting the weight of scrutiny and expectation. For a moment, I’m not Austin’s date. I’m just a woman struck by the beauty of the City at night.
“Never gets old, does it?” Austin says, following my gaze.
“Never,” I agree.
The cool breeze from the Bay fans my face as Austin guides me toward the terrace. Through the glass doors, Chinatown stretches out like a vibrant tapestry beneath us. Then a figure in blue sequins appears before us, her smile as bright as the glittering dress she wears.
“Danica, this is my mother, Nancy Sands,” Austin says.
“Such a pleasure to finally meet you!” Nancy exclaims, her words dripping with an enthusiasm that feels rehearsed. She envelops me in a perfumed embrace that’s all show and no substance.
I muster up my most gracious smile, though it feels brittle on my lips. “Likewise. I’ve heard so much about you.” The lie rolls off my tongue, smoother than I expect.
“And all of it good, I hope,” she says, but there’s a sharp note there, waiting for me to confirm or deny.
“Of course,” I reply, navigating the conversation like a minefield.
She launches into a monologue about her indecision over dresses for tonight, and how none of them were quite right. “I’ll have to return them all tomorrow.” She sighs, waving a hand dismissively as if she’s talking about groceries rather than a spree that probably cost more than my car.
“Sounds like quite the ordeal,” I tell her, my gaze drifting past her shoulder to the city lights.
“Indeed.” Her voice demands attention again. “But it’s important to look one’s best, especially at such a significant event.”
Before I can respond, we’re interrupted by another stream of attendees wishing to greet Austin. Each time, he introduces me with a smile.
“Danica, this is Rhys Smalls and Theo Reed, my business partners.” He gestures to two men who approach with dates on their arms.
“Nice to meet you both,” I say, extending my hand first to Rhys—a tall man with an air of casual confidence—and then to Theo, whose sharp eyes seem to miss nothing.
“Danica, lovely to finally meet you,” Rhys replies, shaking my hand firmly.
“Likewise,” Theo adds, his voice calm, his handshake precise.
Nancy, ever the attentive mother, swoops in with hugs for both men. She lavishes them with praise and laughter, touching their arms and revealing years of shared history. Meanwhile, their dates and I exchange names and polite smiles.
“Always the charmer, aren’t you, Nancy?” Rhys teases, and they all share a laugh.
I stand slightly apart, observing their camaraderie, feeling like an outsider looking in. A tall man dressed in a dark suit comes to Austin’s elbow and whispers in his ear.
He turns to me apologetically. “I need to handle something with Rhys and Theo. Can you excuse me for a moment?”
“Of course,” I murmur, watching them weave through the crowd, backs straight, following the man who whispered to Austin. I hope everything is okay.
As Rhys and Theo’s dates drift off, enticed by other conversations, and I’m left standing with Nancy. The chandeliers above cast a sparkling glow on her sequined dress.
“Danica,” she begins. “A perfect partner for Austin would be someone who understands the value of sacrifice. His career… It’s not a place for the faint-hearted.”
I nod, my throat tight. Austin warned me not to listen to anything she says, but I still wasn’t fully prepared. She doesn’t see me fitting into that immaculately crafted picture.
“Are you certain you should work for the company that funded his business?” She arches an eyebrow, and I can tell she’s not seeking reassurance but sowing seeds of doubt.
“Actually—” I start, but she barrels over my words.
“Let’s be frank, dear. You’re just using Austin for his money and entry into this world. And no matter what you do, you’re never going to fit in,” Nancy says, her eyes narrowing just enough to make her point.
I feel a flash of anger and can’t help myself. “Actually, I’m using him for sex.”
Nancy nearly chokes on her martini.
Just then Marisa arrives, bright-eyed and brimming with energy. “Danica!” she exclaims, giving me a hug. “This party is incredible!”
Nancy turns to me, a condescending smile on her lips. “Oh, you’re braver than I thought to invite a friend to a private party.”
“Your son always enjoys when I invite a friend to a private party,” I counter.
Her eyes become laser points.
That’s a lie, but it just popped out of my mouth. This is a woman I should be trying to impress, if not befriend, and I don’t know why she keeps hitting that nerve that has me clapping back.
For a moment, Nancy’s poised fa?ade cracks, and I can see a retort forming on her lips. But then Austin reappears, his timing impeccable, pulling his mother away before she can unleash her venom.
“Mom, Crystal is looking for you,” he says, and with a final glance at us, Nancy allows herself to be led away, leaving Marisa and me to shake our heads.
“Be careful. If you marry Austin, she’ll be your mother-in-law,” Marisa whispers.
“We’re not going to marry,” I assure her.
Marisa’s arm wraps around my shoulders. “You know, the relationship with his mother means a lot to a son,” she says gently. I look up at her, finding empathy in her gaze. “But don’t take it personally. Nancy won’t like anyone Austin cares about.”
“Thanks. I know you’re right,” I murmur, trying to muster a smile. No matter what I do, Nancy has already decided I’m not the one for her precious son. And that hurts more than I expected. Though it shouldn’t. This has never been about The One. It’s about one box of condoms.
“What did you say right before I walked up?”
“She accused me for using him for his money and connections, so I told her I just wanted him for sex.”
Marisa laughs loud enough that people around us turn to look. “Don’t piss you off.”
I shrug. “I probably really screwed that up.”
A bell sounds, signaling the start of dinner, and guests drift toward the tables. I scan the elaborately printed map, searching for my name. When I finally locate it, my heart sinks. Instead of sitting next to Austin, I find myself at a separate table, across the ballroom. I understood why he took his mother to the company party last night, but I thought I was his date this evening. Why did he bring me, only to have me sit so far away? I glance over to see Austin standing at a table in the front beside Nancy, and my stomach twists.
From there, the night unfolds like a meticulously choreographed ballet of disasters. Austin seems miles away, his brow furrowed, undoubtedly preoccupied with being the face of the company this evening. I can only imagine the weight of the missing CEO and the scandal it’s caused. Poor Austin, always carrying the world and trying to hide it behind a smile.
Nancy spots me and doesn’t bother hiding her satisfaction, reveling in the space between Austin and me. She leans over to chat with the woman next to her, an elegant blonde. I watch them, a strange feeling in my gut. It’s clear from Austin’s surprised expression that he wasn’t expecting such an animated conversation between his mother and a stranger.
For a fleeting moment, his eyes sweep the room, and I straighten in my chair, hoping for a connection, a shared glance to bridge the distance between us. But before our eyes can meet, someone steps up to him, capturing his attention. A man in a sharp suit whispers something in his ear, and just like that, any opportunity for acknowledgment evaporates.
I sink back into my chair, fighting the urge to look his direction again. With every attempt at conversation, every polite nod and empty smile, I realize how much I don’t belong here. I don’t work for the company. I’ve had zero impact on its success. And my date is with his mother.
I excuse myself and slip through the throngs of guests as I search for Marisa.
I finally spot her, perched on the edge of a high-backed chair, talking to a man with an infectious grin. His arm drapes casually over the back of her seat, and they seem engrossed in their own world.
I glance over at Austin again, surrounded by a knot of people, all vying for his attention. He’s in his element, and this is his night, his moment to shine. I can’t be the one to dim that.
Nancy now stands beside him, radiant in her motherly pride. She’s been there for him for years. Just the two of them together. Turning away, I weave through the crowd, avoiding eye contact. No goodbyes, no explanations. Just a quiet exit.
Outside, I hail a taxi, sliding into the backseat with relief washing over me. “Home, please.” I tell the driver the address. Pulling my phone from my clutch, I type out a message to Austin.
Me: Not feeling great, heading home. Don’t worry about me. Enjoy your evening. Congratulations.
My thumb hovers over the send button before pressing down, finalizing my retreat.
I type out a similar note for Marisa and lean my head against the window, the glass cold against my skin. It’s a welcome distraction from the warmth I feel threatening to spill over, the warmth I have for Austin. Tonight has solidified what I’ve been trying to ignore. I’m too attached, and it’s dangerous.
As the taxi crosses the City, I realize I need to protect my heart and put space between us, because the closer I get, the more I set myself up for an inevitable fall. And I can’t let that happen. I won’t be like my mother.