Chapter 102
S tepping away from the hotel bar and group of investors, I look for a quiet hallway. “Dani, you can’t send me photos like that.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Peanut, we talked about this. Do you want that photo shared on a screen for everyone to see?”
“Why do you think like that?”
“Because I have to!” My tone is more aggressive than I’d like, the stress from this week spilling over. I take a deep breath. “Download Signal. Send me anything you don’t want anyone else to see there.”
She scoffs, and there’s silence between us. “I fucking hate this,” she finally says.
“It’s been four days. You’ll see me soon.”
“Why can’t you call me each night or send a text or something?”
Initially flattered that she misses me so much, this conversation is too familiar. My ex and I had calls like this countless times over the years.
“My phone is off for most of the day. I’m not lying about that. I’ll explain more when I’m back, but not right now.”
Silence hangs in the air until Dani pleads, “Kelsey is coming to the city on Saturday. Please meet up with us.”
“I’ll try my best.”
More silence. I hate how much this trip is weighing on her.
“Did you at least like the photo?” she asks, her tone dripping with sass.
“Yes, baby. I’ll be looking at that photo a lot.”
“Promise me you won’t take on another deal like this for a few months.”
“I can’t promise that.” Leaning against the hallway wall, I think about all the ideas our analysts have been pitching lately. “These deals are how you can have everything you want.”
She scoffs again. “You don’t have to do these deals. You’re already rich.”
“Please look at the big picture,” I plead. “I know this week sucks. Next month, we’ll have long forgotten about this.” It’s silent on the other end. “I love you, Peanut. Good night.”
“I love you too,” she says softly before hanging up.