How insane would it be if I came there?
Augie watched the dots appear and disappear. Appear and disappear. And then:
Chat Efhart • 7:18 PM
You know
It’s been a while since I did anything insane
Can you be here at 9?
18
Danika hadn’t been to the Hotel Harrison in months, despite passing it almost every day. It flanked the end of Aldon Lakes Boulevard, nestled along the east side of Lake Minnetonka. It was pretty from the outside; she would give them that. It had a large deck that faced the water, light-bulbed lettering that glowed like an old-time movie theater, endless balconies.
The lobby was also pretty. It had custom built-in sculptures and herringbone floors, a long brassy counter with a mirrored top. But that’s where Danika’s compliments ended. The whole space needed more texture, more light. It did not give the impressive first impression one would expect. Again: Mallory should have let her help.
Danika and Bill had never stayed at the hotel, and Danika was surprised when the bellhop greeted them by name as he called the elevator. They headed to the fifth floor.
Alone in the elevator, Danika and Bill studied each other’s reflections in the mirror. She looked exquisite: her eyes charcoaled and vivid, her hair shining and coiffed to one side, falling over her bronzed, bare shoulder. Bill winked at her in the mirror. It was like when they’d met. Danika reached for Bill’s hand. On nights whenshe was this confident, she carried her beauty around like a piece of jewelry, a gemstone she held up to the light.
Danika was also on a high from the Uber ride over—from Bill finally telling her what had been going on. He’d started by saying that while he knew it was not ideal, and he was sorry to have to ask, he needed her to be amiable toward Joshua Mike.
“Look,” he started, talking with his hands, “I know you hate him—trust me, I do too.” He’d grabbed both his knees. “And I know the Fourth was a lot to ask, but the truth of it is, he’s the biggest shareholder in Briar Ridge, and he’s been a real pain in the ass. He’s making it difficult for all of us. The way he wants to do the dividends—well, it’s confusing, but he wants to reinvest the money into the development, and I need my payout now. We just need to appease him. We need him to follow our lead.
“I need your help.” He pulled a flask from his pocket. “We all know how much he likes you. He wants to know more about the interior design. To talk to you about it. So, if you could schmooze him a little.” Bill rubbed his forehead. “I really hate to ask. But I’m stuck. We have a vote coming up about financing in a few days, and while hesaidhe’s agreed to our terms, you know how hotheaded he is. I need to keep him happy until then. So tonight, please play along. Be nice. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I hoped I could fix it on my own.”
Danika looked from Bill to outside, watching the highway lights stream by in blurry, disorienting lines of light. “Should I be worried about this?”
Bill took a sip from the flask. “No, no. I think—we’re good.” He wiped his mouth. “We’re good. I just need Josh to stay in his lane. Then, we’ll be all set. We’ll be back.”
Danika tensed. “Back?”
“No, I mean we’ll be great.” Bill reached out for Danika’s knee. “I’m really glad to have your help. That you’re working with us.” He pressed his shoulder into hers.
Danika took his flask, took a sip.That’s right, she thought. No matter what, she would always be his greatest asset, his most reliable partner—his oldest soul. He would always need her. “Okay,” Danika agreed. “I’ll play nice. You know, I can usually get men to do what I want.”
Bill laughed. Then, for the first time in months, he leaned forward and kissed her.
Danika and Bill unlocked their room, dropped their bags, grabbed a drink from the minibar, and touched up their outfits as they prepared to return downstairs. Danika paused and studied herself in the mirror, pretending to speak. She liked to watch her mouth move, wanting to see how she appeared to others while talking. Silently, she told herself, “You look perfect.”
For a moment, she considered the white bed frame—too boring and stark—and debated whether she and Bill should have sex. But she didn’t want to mess up her hair. Instead, she stepped to the window and stared out at the darkening water of Lake Minnetonka. The sun would set in an hour or so, and after, the lake would disappear completely—turn into a flat expanse of black.
The moment before every party felt like gearing up for a performance, and Danika focused as they made their way back to the elevator.
Danika and Bill walked toward the back of the first floor, and finally, they stepped inside Alondra. Danika sucked in a breath, realizing, suddenly, that she had not been prepared for the design to beso impressive. She had allowed herself to believe it would be tacky—that as a result, she’d feel better about herself.
This was not the case. Despite the theme, the decor was perfect—full of clean lines yet intense character. Danika felt a pang of insecurity as she scanned each detail: the gold-and-white-tiled floors, the jade green tables, the low bamboo chairs, the incredible braided vines and macramé adorning the walls. The ceilings were retractable glass, and another equally impressive flower and wire installation cascaded from the center to the floor.
It was all so gorgeous and alive, Danika barely registered the guests. But, to her dismay, she noticed the Greenes nearby. They looked attractive as always, Robin, Wyatt, and their daughter—that young, pretty blond—all dressed in black. Danika squinted as she saw the girl talking into a headset. Was she working this event?Of course, Danika thought, indignant. They were all so incestuous.
Out of nowhere, Holly Fravel grabbed her arm.
“I’m not sure I’d call itmagical realism, per se”—she handed Danika a martini—“but it is something, huh?”
Danika took a bitter sip. She knew Holly also felt bad for making fun of it all.
“Look at you,” Holly crooned. “Stunning as always.” She paused. “You good?”
