17. Chapter 17 #2
Her dark eyes connect with mine. “It’s expensive to start up. A brick-and-mortar store would require me to front rent and utilities. Even if I only ever sell online, I’d have to hire models and pay for web hosting, among a gazillion other small business things.”
“Sounds like you need an investor,” Dad says, sending Daria a smile. “Someone to give this venture of yours a little boost.” I don’t miss the pointed look he aims my way before going back to his dinner.
Sure, I may be an investor of sorts, but I’m not about to offer myself up to go into business with a woman who hates me. That’s a nightmare waiting to happen.
“There’s actually a fashion show in Port Durham that I’m considering entering,” Daria says.
“The prize for best designer is ten grand, which could help me get started. And even if I don’t win, there’s a chance my designs could be seen by a local celebrity.
If she likes them...” Daria shrugs again.
“I don’t know, maybe she’d be willing to promote them to her online community.
But there’s a lot of planning involved, plus I’ll need to find a male and female model. ..”
As if she thinks she’s said too much, she pauses. “Anyway, like I said...I’m considering it.”
I stare at my roommate with a mixture of awe and pride. I never knew she had such raw talent, nor the desire to do something so impressive with it. A fashion show? Sounds like the dream of a lifetime for someone who loves to design and make clothing.
“You must do this,” Mom says with another jab of her fork in Daria’s direction. “Dane will help you.”
My head whips toward Mom. “Um. What?”
Mom raises her eyebrows. “You will help D.D. with the fashion show.”
“How could I possibly help? I know nothing about fashion.”
Mom’s gaze shifts to Daria. "She just said she needs a male model. You could do that.”
My attention latches on to Daria, who seems to struggle to come up with a response. “Oh, um. I really don’t need him to. I was going to ask Parker and Jamie—”
“But Dane lives with you. And he’s single, so he’s always available to help. Parker has a wife now.”
Daria’s expression shutters almost painfully. “Yeah, I guess...I guess you’re right.”
Sympathy replaces my earlier hesitancy. I know it hasn’t been easy for her to lose not only her best friend to Parker, but also her place of residence.
Maybe helping her with this fashion show will help bridge the divide between us.
And maybe I won’t hate it. Maybe it’ll even make her hate me just a little less. Especially if she wins.
“Sounds like a win-win to me,” Dad chimes in.
Logan’s phone vibrates on the tabletop, snagging all our attention. “Sorry,” he mutters, clicking the button on the side to silence it.
“Who was that?”
Logan’s shifty gaze darts to Mom, then, weirdly, to Daria. “Probably just one of my gaming buddies. There’s a new release today and we’re supposed to try it out together later.”
I narrow my eyes at my older brother. “What game?”
He lifts his chin. “Just some new pirate fantasy thing.”
I give him a slow nod as Daria interjects, “Pirates, huh? I should tell Briar about it. She's obsessed with pirate books, pirate movies—”
Logan chokes and coughs, prompting Dad to slap him on the back. “You all right?”
He swallows, then clears his throat. “Yeah, um. I’m fine.” The way his voice squeaks tells me he’s not at all fine. What the heck is up with him?
Even Daria eyes him a little skeptically before Mom redirects the conversation back to us.
She peppers Daria with questions about her life growing up, her family—or lack thereof—and even her college experience.
I attempt to cut Mom off a few times or divert her attention to some other topic, but she’s intent on getting to know everything there is to know about Daria Dantez—the woman I’m currently living with.
If it weren’t for that minor detail, I doubt she’d be this invasive.
Then, as if she’s had enough, Daria excuses herself from the table, saying she needs to use the restroom.
“Can we cool it with the questions?” I ask once I hear the bathroom door click shut. “She’s not used to this kind of thing.”
Mom eyes me with curiosity. “What do you mean?”
I sigh and run a hand down my face. “She’s not used to family dinners. Or prying parents.” I wave a hand over the table. “This. All of it. It’s probably overwhelming her. I wouldn’t be surprised if she refuses to come next time.”
For the first time all night, there’s a flicker of remorse in Mom’s expression. “We just want to get to know her.”
“Getting to know her is one thing, but relentlessly digging into her past is another.”
At that exact moment, the bathroom door opens, and Daria’s heels click down the hall. “I’m sorry to interrupt,” she says in a much smaller voice than she usually uses, “but I’m not feeling the greatest at the moment.” Locking eyes with me, she asks, “Do you think you could take me home?”
In one swift move, I shove away from the table and stand. “Yeah, let’s go.”