8. A Deal
8 A DEAL
Daphne
I dipped into the bathroom, setting a two-minute timer—the time allotted for a good cry. When the timer sounded, I left the stall and wiped my tears. I tried to cover up how badly all of this affected me—how Cal’s words hurt.
I didn’t believe him, but couldn’t ask him to put his career at risk over what? What even was this? It was all a dream . I tried to shake it off as I once more took my seat across from Chandler, my loving boyfriend.
“You alright?”
I wasn’t. I was confused and bothered by everything that just happened.
“Did you hear me?” Chandler asked, brow furrowed.
“I think so,” I lied.
“Daphne, I just want to get to the next part—why I’m here, you live under your father’s shadow. Here you will always just be a Delphine. In London, you could run your own empire. We could build our own dynasty.” Chandler’s face lit up.
I turned back to what I had left. “And right now, I’m building a career.”
“But you could do that in London. James has a position open. We’re talking partner track, acquisitions out the nose, and it’s yours if you want it, Daphne.”
I couldn’t breathe. It sounded perfect. I held my breath for the attached “but”.
“You could do great things, Daphne. And you will.” Chandler squeezed my hands. “Come home.”
“I… I want to be my own person. I love you. I don’t want to throw away three years of happiness, but I need to be myself,” I said. “Your ultimatum… it felt unfair.”
“I realize it was.” He took my hands again. “And for that, I am sorry. What you said you wanted was a chance to build a career. You can and will do that. Here, you will always have to chase your brother and fix his messes. In the UK, you can just be the attorney you want to be.”
“I want to say yes. I want to be that woman,” I said. “But I don’t want to have babies right away. I cannot stomach that idea. That’s what I’m worried about.”
“I thought you wanted children, Daphne?”
“I do,” I said. “I want nothing more than to be a mother someday. I also want to have a career settled by that point. Can you give me a few more years to build something?”
“Fine,” Chandler said. “Let’s table the children issue until when?”
“Thirty,” I said. “Give me a few years, alright?”
“I can handle that. Is that all you wanted? Because I’m fine with everything, my love. I want you back in my life. I need you. You make everything so wonderful. The house is too quiet without you. I miss this every morning—just us.”
He reached for my hand across the table and squeezed. This time, I didn’t pull back.
Relationships are hard, Daphne. This could be everything you ever wanted. Don’t turn your back!
I put thoughts of Cal aside and focused on Chandler’s sweet face. This was the man who hand-picked me and saw my capabilities at a young age. He always found ways to bring me along. I had to trust it was true.
I smiled. “Me, too, baby.”
* * *
Cal
I stood at the bar watching Daphne dance with Chandler. She gazed at him, occasionally laughing at a joke or two. I avoided her all day. Watching them together hurt, even if I denied I cared. I waited for David’s word. I told myself it would all be worth it. But as they danced, totally invested in one another, jealousy cut like a knife.
“You’re here!” I turned as David approached.
“Yeah, I’m here.”
“I never thought I’d catch you. I suspected you’d run off with that redhead.”
“Jane?” I asked of Sarah’s college friend. “Nah. She’s not my type. She’s funny, but… I’m pretty focused on work right now.”
David patted my shoulder, “All work and no play?—”
“I know, I know.”
“Look, I’ve got good news—finally—since it’s all tied up.”
“Oh?”
“That Lincoln Park project will get approval—mixed retail and residential. Are you in?”
“Fuck yes,” I chuckled.
“Great! Let’s say you’ll start with the retail concept. I trust your plans to target a younger demographic with a smaller footprint, but let’s liven the brand up while we go. What do you say, Cal?”
“Partners?” I asked.
“I trust you. You are my right hand. But I cannot keep you forever in this role, Cal. You’ve earned something new. It’s time for you to grow, Markham. I thought this was what you wanted?”
I smiled. “I do. Very much, David. Thank you.”
He patted me on the back. “Then we’re in business?”
I extended my hand. “We’ve got a deal.”
“To new beginnings!” David raised his glass.
I clinked it. “To new beginnings.”
“It’s going to be a whirlwind,” David said. “Daphne and Chandler are back together. I suspect we’ll be doing this all again in a year.”
“She’s going back to London?”
“Yeah,” David said. “I’m going to miss her. I won’t lie and say I’m not gutted, but… she’s got a big opportunity over there. Chandler did some work to make sure she had a chance to thrive and they reconciled. I never thought he’d stay away long. Her mother is so relieved.”
“Oh, good for them. Daphne will be an asset to anyone,” I said. “The year will fly by, I guess.”
“Be thankful Danna will be distracted with planning Daphne’s dream wedding so we can get this thing off the ground without her complaining about the extra hours.”
I’d done the right thing. We’d both get what we’d wanted. Daphne would have the society wedding of her dreams—the one she’d always deserved—and a big job abroad. I’d have a company to run. In the end, our wild time didn’t matter. It was a nice distraction.