Chapter -17- #2
Denz grins from his desk. “It’s not that serious.”
“We’re drowning .”
“We’re looking for a new DJ,” Denz corrects.
The one they hired for the retirement party pulled out. Turns out performing a live set in Palm Springs for an up-and-coming teen actress’s spring bash is a bigger priority.
“And the florist?” Eric says through clenched teeth.
Denz scans his computer monitor. Despite his and Kami’s extensive efforts to organize the flower arrangements, Kenneth still found a way to request peonies. Classic . He’s already drafting a compromise his dad will probably reject.
“On it.”
He makes a note about replying to Auntie Cheryl’s demand to extend the family speeches from five minutes each to fifteen. There’s only so much alcohol the guests can handle. He reviews his to-do list while Eric continues to mutter nonsense under his breath.
T-minus ten days until the party.
Nine days until his dad makes his decision.
It’s only Wednesday and everyone’s on edge. Toy soldiers wound too tightly. No one knows what’ll happen at the start of next month. Who their next boss will be. Is it him or Kami?
Neither?
“We’re sinking and playing Mozart, ” Eric continues to grumble, “and no one’s throwing us a fucking life jacket as we’re going down.”
“Stop being dramatic, Kate Winslet,” Denz says, smirking.
Eric pauses his pacing, head snapping up. “Wait,” he says, brow furrowed. “When did you become me? When did I become you?”
Denz laughs.
Since being promoted to event manager, Eric’s always been on top of his game. Backup plans for the backup plans. He’s not the kind of person who has meltdowns over people named DJ Allegro bailing for a weekend in the desert.
“I don’t know.” Denz shrugs. “I guess I’m—”
“Content” almost slips out his mouth. It’s not the right word. More like confident. He doesn’t feel like he did two months ago. Like his entire career was hanging by a string of fairy lights from a skyscraper on a windy day.
The buzz about Kami’s event is growing, but the talk around the gala hasn’t died down either. He’s still in this.
“I’m ready,” Denz says.
His phone lights up on the desk. He already knows who the new notification is from:
Formerly Known As Bray.
Fine, the fact that Braylon believes in him might be that extra boost he needed.
Denz sucks in his lower lip before a smile can fully form. He refuses to acknowledge the skip of his heart. The way his belly dips and flips.
Their texting is nonstop. FaceTime calls too. Mostly discussions about Skye’s the Limit’s upcoming party. Things like sponsors and donations and Braylon spending way too much time on video apps discovering new dances to impress the teens with.
Every morning, Denz finds himself standing with Kami outside the lobby elevators, yawning into the crook of his elbow, searching for a new reason to message Braylon. He counts down the hours until Braylon’s lunch break. Or when he’ll video-call Denz to ramble while cooking in his kitchen.
But it’s Not. A. Thing.
“You’re…” Eric narrows his eyes. “Ready?”
Denz nods.
Eric watches him a minute longer. “Okay,” he says, smiling just a little. “We’re not gonna drown, boss.”
“Don’t call me that.”
Eric ignores him. “Should we work on the music problem?”
“Now?”
The panic begins to return to the corners of Eric’s eyes.
“ Ugh . Fine. I have an idea of who we can contact.” Denz checks the time on his phone. Notices the unread message from Braylon. He forces the grin from his traitorous mouth. “We’ll talk after lunch.”
Today 11:46 A.M.
Formerly Known As Bray
Why is there a photo of you nearly shirtless in an article for Business Today? [link attachment]
DENZEL CARTER: The Future of Atlanta’s Social Scene?
hahahaha!
that photos from a year ago BTW
silent auction for the trevor project
are you secretly googling me?
Formerly Known As Bray
You wish I was “googling” you.
Nice write-up, lack of clothing aside.
Loved the bit about your dating life and the cheeky photo of you having
lunch with some bloke downtown.
another old photo
are you jealous?
Formerly Known As Bray
Please. He hardly looks like fake boyfriend material.
he kinda looks like you
the jawline. complexion. big hands.
Formerly Known As Bray
Slander! We look nothing alike!
article says he’s the “mysterious loverboy from Mr. Carter’s Instagram”
100K likes on that post btw
Formerly Known As Bray
You must be so proud.
Are you free Thursday evening?
for???
Formerly Known As Bray
Film festival. Work thing.
I could really use an excuse to leave early.
this isnt in the agreement so youre paying for dinner
Formerly Known As Bray
Of course.
Denz almost doesn’t hear it: the hushed, anxious voices.
He’s too busy smiling goofily, eyes glued to his phone screen as he walks toward the elevator. At least two interns pirouette around him. He half apologizes all while rereading Braylon’s last texts. He’s stuck on: You wish I was “googling” you and He hardly looks like fake boyfriend material .
Was that flirting? Is Braylon jealous?
The questions churning in his head are interrupted by Auntie Cheryl’s voice coming from around the corner.
“I heard him on the phone. Kenny’s not convinced.”
“But the V-Day gala was a hit.” That’s Auntie Eva. “And you said Kamila’s party was getting tons of coverage.”
“It is . She killed it.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“I couldn’t hear the rest of the call. Maybe he wants bigger?”
Eva sucks air through her teeth. “You mean he wants them to do things the way he has.”
Cheryl doesn’t disagree.
Denz stops short, ducking behind an empty cubicle. He strains to hear their conversation over the noise around the offices.
“Denzel won’t burn this place to the ground. That’s the last thing he wants,” Eva insists.
“Well, Kamila’s vision is fresher than Kenny’s.”
“But will she consider going back to—”
Cheryl cuts her off. “No. Kenny’s right. Just because the wedding planning we did in the beginning helped you launch your styling business—”
“And look where I am now.”
“—doesn’t mean it’s going to change the company’s future . We need to keep giving clients that personal experience.”
“What’s your plan, then?”
The low, frustrated exhale Cheryl releases sends a chill through Denz. She always has a plan—or a scheme. It’s where he gets it from. But he can tell she’s struggling, which only heightens his anxiety.
Kami’s not enough. He’s not enough. So, what now?
“I don’t know,” Cheryl finally says. “This is my life, Eva. My son’s life.”
“It’s Kamila and Denzel’s life too.”
“One of them better step it up,” Cheryl demands. “Put on a show Kenny’s so fucking impressed by, we don’t lose our family legacy to some incompetent, wealthy white man who throws millions into a company just to watch it fold for a tax write-off.”
The elevator dings.
Whatever’s said next is swallowed up by people shuffling off. Casual greetings exchanged. The aunties stepping on. Denz hovers low until the doors close again. He tries to swallow the bile crawling up his throat.
“What’re you doing down there?”
He yelps, then falls over at the sound of Kami’s voice. She stares down at him, hands on her hips.
“Nothing!” he lies.
“You know what? I don’t want to know,” she tells him as Denz staggers to his feet, dusting off his slacks and straightening his shirt. “I need a favor.”
“What kind?”
“I need you to babysit Mikah on Thursday, after school.”
Denz’s mouth quirks. “Whyyy?”
Kami sighs in that you already know why way, but Denz doesn’t relent. If he’s bailing her out, he wants specifics.
“To spend more time with—” Her eyes dart around, making sure no one’s in earshot.
“—Suraj. All the Sedwick planning. This CEO stuff. Making sure I don’t forget to feed my own son.
His residency—” She pauses when Denz’s grin widens, realizing she’s accidentally shared another Suraj detail she hasn’t mentioned before.
“I need to give some attention to my relationship.”
“Relationship?” Denz squeals quietly.
She swats his shoulder, hard. “Yes, okay? I don’t want my boyfriend to feel the same way Mom did.”
Denz chews his lower lip. Those memories of the arguments and silence and so-close-to-crumbling between their parents move like ghosts in Kami’s dark eyes.
It’s another reason why he never commits to anyone.
Other than the whole “ditched by the love of my life for Jolly Ol’ England” thing.
It’s hard to balance such a demanding career and a relationship.
But if Suraj means that much to her…
“Are you free?” Kami asks.
“Maaaybe.”
The thin veil of patience on Kami’s face is quickly dissipating. “You owe me, Denz.”
“Are you resorting to blackmailing now, Kamila?”
“If it means I can have at least three hours with Suraj? Then, yes.” She runs fingers over her pearl necklace. “Please?”
“Fine. Uncle Denzie to the rescue.”
She tugs him into a hug, whispering, “Thank you,” then disappears into her office.
Denz opens his message app, smiling. He fires off a quick text to Braylon:
change of plans… wanna play sick for the film festival to hang w me & my smart amazing loveable nephew?