I was so filled with vigor and excitement over what the future might hold.
I don’t come from much. My dad was a plumber and my mom was a nurse, though both are comfortably retired in the Maldives now that I can support them. It was only fair to gift them that after all the work they put in to make me the man I am today. They were as surprised as I was at how easy it was to make something of myself.
But I want more.
I want to be known for more.
I want to be more.
Somehow, I have to make that happen. I shouldn’t be out chasing women or gallivanting around town with my friends. I should be here at the office trying to somehow make this nonprofit work in the long term. That needs to be my sole focus. I’m already running out of time as it is.
The merger that Eric heard of was less of two businesses coming together under joint ideology, and more of one wanting to buy out my nonprofit entirely. They don’t want to continue my mission of providing free and clean water to towns in need. Instead they want to transform my charitable work into a scheme that may still technically provide that water, but will suck the towns’ funds completely dry in the process.
My investors are clamoring for me to accept the deal. Even if I refuse, that will just mean my investors leave me and back the other business project instead.
No matter what, if I mess this up, a lot of people are going to be in trouble. Even if I’m stuck in my office all night or all month, I need to come up with a solution. I won’t let anyone else down.
Not again.
Not after what happened last time.
Chapter 4
Chloe
Stacy, Morgan, and I exit the cab and walk back toward the tiny apartment that we share in Brooklyn, our arms lazily looped together. Morgan, who had one vodka too many, stumbles along between Stacy and me. She giggles to herself, rambling on about how cute Donovan was when he approached the table and how silly I am to have turned him down so swiftly.
“Listen, Morgan,” I finally say with a sigh—the fifteen-minute stumble back to our place has all but sapped my patience thanks to the fact that the cab driver made us exit early because he thought Morgan was going to throw up. “If you want that guy so bad, you can go have him.”
“Maybe I will,” she pouts back.
“Do you think it’ll be awkward at work tomorrow?” Stacy asks over Morgan’s head, steadying the girl when her crimson stiletto catches on a crack in the sidewalk and almost sends her flat on her face.
“Nah. I doubt I’ll even see him at all. When I went in for my interview last week I didn't come across him, and believe me, I would remember a face like that.”
Stacy and Morgan both giggle, Morgan resting her drowsy head on my shoulder. By now, Stacy and I are practically dragging her along.
“You like him even though you say you don’t,” Morgan teases softly, words slurring together. “You just admitted you think he’s handsome.”
“A blind person could tell Donovan Dunn is handsome,” Stacy quips.
Morgan cracks open one eye, drunken giggles making her body quiver and her usually graceful steps gangly. “He’s so handsome that he could make a girl go blind!”
I bite back a groan. “We’re going to have to get you some black coffee and a cold shower when we get home, Morgan.”
“Do cold showers help sober people up?” Stacy asks, gazing with inquiring eyes over Morgan’s head.
“I honestly don’t know, but this girl definitely needs a cold shower with how she’s going on about Donovan,” I tease. “He wasn’t that special. He’s good looking and all, but you guys are acting like—”
“Like he’s the sexiest guy in the world!” Morgan interrupts dreamily.
Stacy arches an eyebrow. “Oh please, Clo. Even you were going all doe-eyed when he walked over. If he’d said anything meaningful at all you would’ve started tearing off your clothes right there. So much for Miss Independent, huh?”
I glower at her, wanting to argue but knowing I’ll lose. My cheeks burn red, the vibrant hue creeping down my neck to my chest. When I go indignantly silent, Stacy smirks and helps Morgan straighten up.
I love my friends but sometimes I want to kill them. I know that’s normal. There are always little spots of drama here and there any time three close friends share such a small space, but for the most part we do our best to be supportive and cheerful and kind. Even at their most irritating, I continue to love these girls to pieces. I’m sure they feel exactly the same about me.
I remind myself of this as I continue to walk silently, supporting Morgan’s swaying body. I stare thoughtfully up at the sky as we walk, watching a few gray clouds slowly float across the darkened sky. The summer storms have been intense, leaving the city shrouded in gloom most afternoons.
I like the rain, especially when it blows in like this in the evening. It makes sleeping so much more peaceful. Even the light rumbling of thunder and the occasional crack of lightning is enjoyable when you’re all snuggled up deep under your blankets. Though I’m nervous for my first day of work tomorrow, maybe a midnight storm will help me relax and sleep a little better.
Finally reaching our apartment, I fumble with my keys while Stacy supports Morgan, who leans heavily against our petite roommate and snores into her neck. It’s funny to see five-foot Stacy propping up almost six-foot Morgan, and I take a little bit more time than I need to get my keys properly in the lock.
“About time!” Stacy huffs as she hauls Morgan onto the couch and starts tugging off the sleeping girl’s shoes.
“Not so fast, Stacy, you go get her in the shower and clean her up while I make the coffee.”
“Why do I have to be on shower duty?” Stacy asks with a pout.
“Because last time you used our coffee pot, you almost set the apartment on fire,” I reply.
“Am I ever going to live that down?”
Stacy continues to sulk though she dutifully collects our intoxicated roommate and helps her stagger into the bathroom. A few minutes later, I hear the rush of water and Morgan drowsily protesting.
Shaking my head, I start the coffee pot and settle down at our rickety little dining room table to wait for it to finish.
Our apartment is small but cozy, the walls painted a delicate yellow that glows warmly in the morning. Soft white curtains frame dingy windows that peer out into other red-bricked buildings instead of the city roads.
We couldn’t exactly afford a place with a view. I’ve got my student loans to pay off and bills to keep up with, while Stacy’s gone back to college to be a teacher and Morgan has her modeling aspirations. The three of us sharing our little apartment are just barely getting by, but we’re happy enough.
Even though our apartment is cramped, it’s still home to me. I don’t mind that we don’t have a ton of space or that our toilet is constantly broken and our water never runs warmer than room temperature. It’s ours and it’s a stepping-stone to something more, just like my temp job at Donovan’s company.
Eventually, Stacy will be a certified teacher and Morgan will be a professional model doing more than just car shows, and I’ll be a key member of the staff at Dunn Advertising.
It will all work out for us. I can feel it in the very bottom of my heart and I’ve always been able to trust my intuition.