Jessy reels back dramatically, like I just suggested naming the company after a sewer rat.“Are you serious?You wanna tattoo that man’s name on your life again?No thank you.I’m allergic.”He crosses his arms into an X and scrunches his whole face like he smells poison.
“Ugh, fine, something else,” I say, blowing hair out of my face.
“365,” Jessy suggests.
“All Seasons,” Laird says.
“FB,” I say.
We toss name after name, none of them landing.After minutes stuck like we’re trying to name a baby girl, Laird lets out a long sigh.
“Ok, this isn’t working.How about we start from the ground up?Something that’s actually your vision,” he says.
“What’s a vision?”I ask.
“Something you wanna achieve.Your dream for building all this.The principles you’ll hold no matter what,” Laird says, his voice softened.His eyes stay on me for a second longer than necessary, and there’s a little flutter in my chest.
“Well, I just want money,” Jessy says, loud and proud.
“You sure about that?”Laird raises an eyebrow.
“As sure as I’m breathing.Everybody’s got their dreams.”Jessy lifts his chin, dramatic as ever.
“What do you wanna do with that money?”Laird presses.
“Pay for my mom’s medication.”Jessy shrugs, but the shrug is too fast, too defensive.
“And if you didn’t have to pay for her?”Laird asks again.
Jessy takes a long breath, then counts on his fingers.“Have fun.Eat whatever I want.Buy fashion I like.Travel the world.Become a global icon.Maybe get a dom-daddy.I don’t know.I’m flexible.”
“Jessy.”I giggle.
“What?A dream is a dream.”He opens his arms, looking between me and Laird.“Tell me you don’t wanna be rich and fabulous too.”
“I don’t know.I never thought much about my goals.Even after high school, all I could think about was being a dream girl so Laird would like me,” I say with a weak sigh.
Laird’s eyes lock onto mine.Something warm flickers there, something soft and slow.His lips curl, not into his usual smirk, but into something intimate, something almost tender.It makes my breath catch for a moment.
“You’re a hopeless girl, not a dream girl,” Jessy giggles.
My lips pout, and silence settles between us.Jessy studies his nails.Laird closes his eyes with that tired patience he only uses with people he cares about.My head spins with the weight of Jessy’s words.
Then it hits me.
“Oh!Oh, I know!”I jump to my feet.“Everdream!”
My eyes widen, my mouth drops open.I look at Jessy, then at Laird.They blink at me, surprised.I lift my index fingers like I’m transferring Wi-Fi signal directly into their brains.
“Ever dream of being rich, financially independent, building your own business?Ever dream of being a dream girl?Any dream you got, let’s make it happen together.”
I sound like a walking commercial.They stare at me for a moment.I slowly lower my hands.
“I mean, I wouldn’t be here without you guys,” I say with a shrug.
Jessy gasps and claps like he’s at a Broadway premiere.“That’ll work!Oh my god, I love that!”
Laird’s lips curve into a smile that’s small but full of pride.He nods.“A little icky, but honestly?It’s beautiful.”
