Chapter 43
S itting in the Porsche next to Adam, in the perfect outfit for this twenties-themed party, I feel so right. The silver fringe dress is amplified by old-time Hollywood glam waves and makeup with faux-pearl necklaces and a beaded headpiece. I love a theme and love the fact that I’ve nailed this one.
Driving through the gate to Kent Dubois’s mansion, the dramatic shift from my last summer in Wisconsin and today hit me.
I’m so happy, yet I feel so much stress being back here.
I take a deep breath, reminding myself I’m pulling up with someone who supports me in every way and wants to see me succeed and stand on my own.
My memories won’t stay away, though. I’m reminded how Kent’s son, Brandon Dubois, and my “party friend” Kate went to embarrassing and frankly absurd lengths to get me out of Sorin’s house for the night so I could attend this party all those summers ago.
I tried texting Brandon and Kate earlier this week to see if they would be attending and both texts were undeliverable. I guess they changed their numbers.
Shaking my head, I can’t believe I was once in a situation where I didn’t feel free to leave a man’s house. No one will ever control my life the way I let Sorin. I’m so happy with the progress my life has made not only this summer but over the last five years.
“The password is blind pig,” the valet informs us.
Linking my arm with Adam’s, who looks incredibly dapper in his pinstriped suit, giving off a Peaky Blinders vibe, my life has upgraded in every way.
As we ascend the steps of Kent’s home, I feel a surge of pride and optimism with a growing business and a happy heart.
I am a completely different person from the last time I was here.
At the door, a gruff voice from a small window demands the password. Adam’s laugh, followed by “blind pig,” gets us in.
Being here right now is a culmination. I belong at this party and in this scene where guests include everyone from politicians to CEOs.
Inside, Kent, Brandon, and a woman, I assume, is Kent’s wife, stand in the foyer greeting guests.
Seeing Brandon after almost three years, I can’t contain my excitement and nearly tackle him with a hug.
His brown eyes and jawline are still something to look at, but I’ve never been attracted to him like that.
Adam shakes Kent’s hand, beginning introductions, but Kent interrupts. “Dani, it’s been too long.” His recognition surprises me. He’d only briefly met me two times during the summer of 2017.
“I’m stealing her,” Brandon says before Kent can continue, looping his arm around mine. We step outside, and I snag a glass of champagne from a server.
“Adam fucking Harris!” Brandon looks in disbelief once we’re alone on the deck.
“It’s … new-ish.”
“Your glow-up is insane.” He laughs. “How’d you even meet Adam fucking Harris?”
I playfully punch him. “Stop calling him that!” I notice Brandon isn’t drinking. “You need a drink for this story.”
“I’m good. I’ve been sober for almost three years now,” he reveals, shocking me.
“What? California sober or sober sober?”
“Straight-up sober.”
I push out the memory of us doing lines upstairs.
“Kate had mentioned something about a sobriety clause in your trust fund the last time I was here.”
“I didn’t get sober for the money. I needed to get sober,” he firmly says, and I smile, happy for him. “The hardest thing I do is coffee, which Declan keeps nagging me to quit.”
“Declan?” My jaw nearly drops to the floor. “Since when do you hang out with Declan?”
“We have so much to catch up on! I assumed you knew I work at Cryptoball.”
“How the fuck did you end up there?” I ask and then feel stupid. His dad, of course. Declan was also on the guest list the last time I was here. I hadn’t thought about how he would probably be here tonight. Groan.
Brandon laughs. “I know it’s weird, given Sorin and everything. But honestly, he’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. He pushes me to live up to my potential.”
“Is he running a cult or something?” I joke. “But, like, all of the signs are there.”
“All he’s doing is normalizing sobriety. Like we don’t have company happy hours, we have company meditations.”
“Sounds cult-ish to me,” I tease, scanning the deck for another drink. Brandon’s eyes shoot me a judgmental stare.
“Did I ever give you that look?”
“No … I know it’s … You’re right. Who am I to judge?”
“Exactly, the first time we met, you did four lines in front of me,” I say, raising my brow before snagging another glass of champagne from the passing server. I realize then that us falling out of touch aligns with his sobriety. “But seriously. I’m so proud of you.”
Brandon’s demeanor becomes serious. “I owe you an apology about Derek.”
“Amends? Really?” I squint my eyes. It’s not like he forced me into business with my Shirts business partner. Brandon’s just the reason we met. “It’s not your fault. I should have trusted my instincts about him.”
“He’s always been a fuckboy. You’ll never guess what he’s up to now.”
“Living on a yacht in Monaco,” I sarcastically guess.
“He wishes his family had that much money.” Brandon laughs. “He’s back in New York and started this retreat company where people do shaman-led ayahuasca experiences.”
“I’m sure it will be as successful as Fyre Fest,” I dryly say, rolling my eyes.
Brandon laughs before asking me, “What are you up to now?”
“I’m growing a PR consulting business. Harris Ventures has been helping me get a lot of clients.”
“That’s great to hear! Your life seems to be in a good spot.” We both smile at each other. Then he says, “I’m proud of you too.”
We share a moment of reflection, looking out at the lake, reminiscing about the past and how far we’ve both come.
“No elephants this year? Times are tough, huh?”
“You’re such an ass.” Brandon laughs. “Wait until you see what Kent has in store for later.”
I’ll never get over the fact that he doesn’t call his dad—Dad .
“So, Adam. Did you meet him after Harris Ventures invested in Shirts or … ?”
“No, actually. He’s renting my aunt’s place. I sorta broke in, and now …” I leave the rest unsaid, winking.
“Classic Dani.” He chuckles. “Some things haven’t changed with you.” I roll my eyes. But then his expression changes. “Wait, you actually met Adam here, right on this deck!”
“What are you talking about?” I protest. “I just met Adam this summer.”
“It’s not like you talked with him, but you’ve met him,” Brandon insists. “Remember when Kent had you give an elevator pitch?”
As this realization dawns on me, Adam joins us. “Such a small world,” Adam remarks. He wraps his arm around my waist once he’s at my side.
“You’re telling me! I was saying that you two met before—a few summers ago. Dani and I were boating with some friends. We came back from the pier, and Kent asked Dani to give an elevator pitch about herself in front of you and a bunch of other VC guys he was hosting at the lake.”
Adam sips his whiskey, then mutters, “Holy shit.”
Hearing Brandon replay the event, I remember it too. “Crazy.” Looking up at him, I can barely believe it. Adam bends down, kissing the top of my head. The serendipity of it all is not lost on me.