Page 79 of Love Redesigned
“I think it’s great that you’re coming,” Gabriel said, though his kindness did little to kill the tension that hung in the air around the rest of us.
Dani slipped her arm through mine. “Ready to go?” she whispered. She turned back to my stepfamily. “It’s so good to see you all. Merry Christmas.”
We pushed through the hotel lobby doors and moved toward the crosswalk at the corner. Dani gripped my hand so tightly, I almost couldn’t feel my fingers, but I was glad of it. The pain kept me anchored against the waves of feeling washing over me. Anger. Resentment. Sadness.
I didn’t want to be a part of the LeFranc family. I didn’t like what they stood for. I didn’t care for their lifestyle. And yet, seeing them all together like that, imagining my mother on Alicio’s arm instead of Sasha? It burned worse than I wanted it to. They were the closest thing I had to family, even though they were the furthest thing from what a family actually should be. I stopped on the sidewalk, overwhelmed by a surge of loneliness so intense, I could hardly move.
Dani paused and turned to face me, nudging me toward the building behind us, out of the main path of the sidewalk. A sharp wind blew past and Dani drew in a breath, closing her eyes for a moment.
“You’re not wearing a coat,” I said.
She shook her head dismissively. “We’re only walking across the street. I didn’t think I’d need one.” She gripped my arms, just above the elbows. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. The loneliness wasn’t gone, but it was accompanied by a sense of resignation that at least made me feel like I could keep walking.
“You don’t need them, Alex,” Dani said.
My heart warmed that she’d sensed my feelings so easily, but her words didn’t change the fact that some part of me still felt like Ididneed them. Or maybe it was just that I wanted them to need me.
“Come on,” I said. Taking Dani’s hand, I led us across the street and to the doors of the Compassion Experiment venue, where the bouncers had already started checking tickets and admitting the first guests. The bouncer closest to us waved us through. Inside, we crossed a large, open area, pausing at the foot of a wide set of stairs that led to the main event space.
“What did you say to Sasha?” I asked.
She grinned. “That I missed working for her, and that time away had made me realize what a wonderful opportunity she had given me.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I had no idea you were such a good liar.”
“It wasn’t totally a lie,” Dani said. “I do misssomethings about working at LeFranc, and by forcing me to leave, she did give me other opportunities.”
“That’s true,” I said, though I still wasn’t sure I understood her motivation.
“And now, when we arrive at the wedding next week, it won’t feel so out of the blue when I text Sasha and ask her if there is anything I can do for her. If she doesn’t have a good assistant, she’s probably going to need help.”
“Which means it will be that much easier for you to swap out the dresses.”
She grinned. “Exactly.”
“I’m impressed. A little terrified, but definitely impressed.”
We stopped at the top of the stairs. The venue was buzzing with energy, guests filling the tables and chairs scattered through the space. Isaac stood on the stage doing a soundcheck.
“Is Isaac wearing a tie?” Dani asked.
“He looks good, doesn’t he? I told him since he’s the Master of Ceremonies, he had to wear one.”
Dani shook her head. “The breadth of your influence never ceases to amaze me.”
Everything progressed smoothly as the night went on, except for one scavenger hunt team that was down a team member because of the flu. But even that crisis only lasted a moment. Isaac held an impromptu trivia game on stage for anyone willing to join the team and gave the open spot to the last woman standing.
The man was quicker on his feet than anyone I knew.
The best part of the night was watching the video feeds of the teams, and all the acts of kindness they performed. Kids in hospitals opening presents. Unsuspecting grocery shoppers having their carts paid for in full. Free hugs. Isaac had managed to orchestrate an event that showed the very best of humanity.
Just past eleven, when all the teams had returned to the party, and the opening acts had finished their sets, I met Dani backstage. “Are you ready?” I whispered.
She gave me a slight nod before Mushroom materialized beside her and handed her a microphone. “The stage lights will be down when the band gets in place, and they’ll stay down, except for one spotlight out front. When you see my cue, walk to that spot, turn on the microphone using the little button right here, and you’ll be ready to roll.”
Dani nodded. “Got it.”
