“Danika, darling indeed.” Joshua Mike leaned down to kiss her on both cheeks. “Did you have fun at the wedding?”
Danika leaned against the counter, folding her hands on top of each other. “I did, it was lovely. I hope Miriam had a good time,” she said to Malcolm, Miriam’s new cousin-in-law.
“Yes, absolutely. Paid for it yesterday, though,” Malcolm said. “Irish flu, as they say.”
“Speak for yourself,” Joshua Mike cackled. “I felt great. That Dom went down easy.”
“It’s nice to see you, Danika,” Wyatt said. He had always been a gentle soul. He wasn’t bad to look at, either, with that thick, silver hair and perfect square jaw.
“You too.” She dipped her head to him, then looked out to the room. “So, this is it? I have to say, it’s nicer than the photos. I think we have a lot to work with.”
“Absolutely,” Bill said. “Good space, right? Good air.”
Joshua Mike came around the counter, standing next to her. “You think you can work your magic?” He crossed his arms. “I’ve got to say, Vicki was very impressed, and jealous, when we came over last year. Remember that night? That last tourney of the season when we forced our way back with Mr. Hole-in-One?” He jabbed his finger toward Bill. “God, that was a good night. We haven’t been back at your place since. What gives?”
Danika remembered that night—as much as she’d tried to put it out of her mind. The men had shown up unannounced, drunk and wild after a tournament, piling half-thawed steaks onto the poolside grill and blasting “Country Roads.” Joshua had even invited his girlfriend.
Bill nodded politely. “She’ll work her magic indeed. But yes, absolutely, we’ll have you all over soon. Count on it.”
Danika’s blood ticked up a notch.
“Perfect,” Joshua Mike said, still with that stupid grin. “Although Vicki’s long gone. I’m sure Jackie will be just as impressed. You’ll like her, D. She’s got style.”
He wiggled his eyebrows, and Danika felt a wave of disgust. Was he really calling herD?
Bill clapped his hands. “Okay, so, darling, shall we take a proper tour? Gentlemen, you’re welcome to stay or go. It was great to see you all. I appreciate your time.”
To Danika’s relief, they all mumbled excuses and made their way to the door. Danika ignored another muffled call from Joshua Mike as she moved into the dining room.
As they left, Danika pressed her hand to the cool, freshly painted wall. “It’s nice,” she said to Bill, the house now quiet, the air tinged awkward.
“Right? I knew you were expecting worse.”
“Well, yes. But it’s wonderful. Thank you. For not setting me up for failure.”
“Oh, you’re never one to fail.”
He was right. She wanted to tell him more—how she was going to aim for a commercial version of their style; how she was going to give each room an exclamation point; how, as always, she would get the lighting right. Still, she held her tongue. She didn’t want to look overenthused or flippant. Despite his current mood, things were still off between them. She wasn’t so delusional as to think they’d fall back into some fantasy, but still. Bill used to love to show her off, to wine and dine her, and lately, it seemed as if he was living on a separate island. It made Danika feel cast aside, which made her feel needy, which—in turn—made her feel pathetic.
“Remind me, how many bedrooms?” She walked to the staircase.
“Four.” Bill pulled his phone from his pocket.
“Right.” Her heels clapped each step as she climbed toward the mezzanine balcony. She’d always liked those—how they conjured images of Romeo and Juliet.
“But, hey,D.” Bill craned up at her, teasing. Danika paused and stared down at him, feeling an unexpected flash of affection for him. “We’ll still get a drink after?”
“Yes, sure,B,” she said as she continued down the hall, reveling in the sound of Bill’s laughter echoing off all the empty walls.
4
New York, January
Augie often wished she could go back to that first week in New York and skip the moment when she first met Micah entirely.
“Augie?” he had said as he opened the door to his and Julia’s penthouse, the massive apartment spreading out behind him. Augie had never been in a penthouse. She hadn’t even understood what “PH” stood for when she’d gotten on the elevator. “Am I saying that right?”
Julia and Micah had invited her for dinner. Julia was Leah’s second cousin from Boston. While she was fifteen years younger than Robin, they both worked in finance and were close. Julia’s husband, Micah, was the creative director at the ad agency where Augie would be working; he, by way of Julia and Robin, had been the one to secure Augie the job.
