Faking It with the Frenemy

–Me: OK. Thanks, Yuna. I’ll be there.

–Jo: Me too!

–Hilary: Count me in! Do I need to bring anything?

–Yuna: Nope. Catering’s been already taken care of.

–Me: Wow! That was quick!

Yuna doesn’t need an assistant. Hell, if she weren’t an heiress, I’d try to get her a job as an assistant.

–Yuna: Haha, told you I’m good at this! Make sure to show up with a hot date! Or if a hot date can’t be found, just come by yourself. Doesn’t matter. I love dancing with other women. ;-)

Chapter Forty-Nine

Wyatt

The plane lands at LAX right on schedule. My meeting with Alexandra went well, and I couldn’t be happier with her vision and direction, plus her willingness to listen. No idea was too small, no suggestion too insignificant to consider. No wonder she’s one of the most influential tech CEOs in the country.

I turn on my phone to check for messages. A text from Vi pops up on the screen, telling me she’s doing well, and she’s been hanging out with her old friends in Corn Meadows.

–Vi: But I also miss Krystal.

Who’s Krystal again? I think for a moment, then remember that’s Vi’s new friend. The girl who’s really good at “contouring.”

I smile. Maybe this is a good thing. She’s adjusting to her new school and making friends. And Corn Meadows isn’t that far. We can always go back and forth if that’s what she wants.

–Me: Glad you’re having fun. I’m sure Krystal misses you too.

–Vi: I’m going to spend the weekend at Mandee’s. Grandma said it was okay.

Mandee and Vi used to be inseparable in Corn Meadows, and the best part is that Mandee’s mom isn’t impressed or intimidated by Geneva. It’ll be good for Vi to reconnect with her and her family.

–Me: Sounds great. Have fun. Say hello to Mandee for me.

–Vi: I hope you have fun too! And say hi to Kim!

–Me: Will do. Love you.

I wait a beat…then another. Finally my phone buzzes again.

–Vi: Love you too, Dad.

Warmth floods through me. The wedding was a total disaster, but going there, plus spending time with people who love her, seems to have mellowed her out some. Maybe when she comes back, things will be less tense and awkward.

The plane stops and the cabin crew open the doors. I grab my carry-on and get to deplane ahead of everyone else. Gotta love flying first class.

I fiddle with my phone as I walk through the terminal, checking for other texts and emails I might have missed. Make sure nothing’s falling apart—you never know with Melanie holding down the fort—and then I’m going to start the weekend with Kim. We haven’t seen each other in two days, but it feels a lot longer.

Before I can get through my inbox, the phone rings. David.

“Hey, how was the trip? Alexandra give you much shit?”

“Course not. She loved me.”

“Good.” His tone says he doesn’t really care one way or the other. “Did she have anything for me?”

“If you’re asking if she wanted me to give you anything, no.”