She laughs. “Very much so. Why?”
“Because lately I’ve taken some hits,” I say. “And it’s made me scared to dream. Scared to trust my heart. And scared to take risks. But I think I need to trust myself. And get back to being a little more me. Because being a dreamer, with a tiny bit of delusion thrown in, is my superpower.”
CHAPTER 41
Daisy
(FOUR YEARS AGO)
Dear Diary,
I did it. I opened my own vintage boutique. The shop is a work in progress, but it’s mine. It’s crazy hard to run my own business, harder than I ever imagined. It’s even harder than college, and that scares me because I failed at that.
I couldn’t have done it without Chase’s support. Or Ryder’s. He was the first person I ever shared my dreams with. And he always believed I could make them happen.
(NOW)
“You’ve been quiet, Daisy,” Olivia says. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I’m sitting between Olivia and Emma on Sebastian’s oversized couch in the Malibu mansion where I spent so many summers over the years.
It’s still so familiar, still the same grand estate with expansive views of the Pacific. But it feels weird to be here now that Chase and Ryder are no longer living with Sebastian.
“Yeah, what’s up? Avery’s wearing your dress to the biggest party of the year tonight,” Sebastian says, walking back from the kitchen carrying two beers. “Plus, you’ve got me,theSebastian Blake, throwing you a Music Awards watch party. Well, Emma did all the throwing, but I’m the host.”
He hands a beer to Chase and arranges himself on the throne-like chair facing the TV, looking like a dark prince. While the rest of us are dressed comfortably in loungewear for the watch party, Sebastian is wearing slacks and an impeccably cut long-sleeved shirt in cerulean blue that matches his eyes. He probably plans to ditch us for somewhere more exciting, not long from now.
Chase tips his head in thanks for the beer and pulls Olivia closer to him. “Olivia is right. You’ve been off since you arrived in LA. I thought you’d be over the moon about Avery.” Chase looks at me with concern.
“I am happy,” I defend and toss a piece of popcorn into my mouth. “I’m just jet-lagged.” I latch on to that excuse. “Since Avery wanted me to stay longer to organize the costume concepts for her video, we only flew in from New York two nights ago. I’m still getting adjusted to Pacific time. And then, I was up early with her hair and makeup team. I had no idea getting prepared for an event was so much work.”
What else can I say? That I miss Ryder with every part of me? Chase doesn’t even know I real-dated his friend. None of them do, except for Olivia. Well, she doesn’t actually know anything because I didn’t want to put her in the uncomfortable position ofhaving to lie to my brother or break my confidence. But I think she suspects it.
“I’m surprised you were free tonight,” Olivia says. “I thought she needed you later, when she changes for the party.”
“I thought so too,” I say.
The plan had changed when Avery’s on-again, off-again boyfriend, Austin Rand, showed up drunk and looking like he wanted to start a fight. Avery suddenly decided she didn’t want an entourage after all and told most of us to go home. I can’t share that, though, because I signed a nondisclosure agreement to work for Avery, so I’ve got to be discreet.
“I can’t believe Daisy flew in on Avery Woods’s private jet and is working with her!” Emma crows.
“It’s awesome that the Music Awards is going to broadcast the after-party tonight as well. So we can see Avery in your dress. You know we’re so proud of you.” Olivia throws her arm around me and gives me a tight half hug. “Who would have imagined just two summers ago that we’d all be where we are now? With you becoming a famous fashion designer.”
I snort. “I’m not a famous designer. Not yet,” I say and cross my fingers. “But it is pretty cool what we’ve all accomplished. You’re a best-selling mystery author, Olivia. And Chase has gone from acting to directing. And Ryder”—my heart lurches just saying his name—“is up for all these Music Awards and is performing tonight. Though I guess that isn’t anything too new. And Emma—”
“And Emma still has the best job in the world as my assistant,” Sebastian says, waving his beer around. “Don’t forget, I’ve finally been named the Sexiest Man Alive, which is about damn time.”
Emma frowns and smooths her light-brown hair. And then she adjusts her matching tracksuit top and bottoms. “Yes, I’m so excited about that. It’s the career of my dreams,” she mutters.
“Emma’s not just an assistant. She manages your career and life, Sebastian, and you know it,” Olivia says. “I keep telling her she needs to open her own agency. She’s been helping out Ryder, Chase, and Ronan. That’s some major star power.”
Sebastian doesn’t argue, but he doesn’t look happy about what Olivia said.
I lean over to reach the top of Emma’s luxe sweatshirt and pull off a store tag. I hold it out with a laugh. “Proof that you bought this outfit especially for the party because Olivia said we should dress comfortably, and you had nothing to wear. Admit it. I’ve never seen you in anything less than business casual.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not denying it. It’s proof I like you all. But I could have arranged something properly celebratory. Instead, you all wanted sweatpants and microwave snacks.”
“As if you would ever arrange microwave snacks. I don’t know where you got this popcorn from, but I’ve never tasted better. It’s got truffle butter,” I say, moaning a little. “And you arranged cupcakes from my favorite bakery. And sushi.”
