Page 6 of Finding Us

At the end of May, Garret and I went to visit the campus. We spent the day there and got a tour and met with some of the professors. They have a decent science department for me and a good business school for Garret. The school turned out to be just what we were looking for, but it’s very expensive. Luckily, I’m now a multimillionaire thanks to my grandparents. Garret is broke but still has his college fund so he can at least pay for his tuition.

A couple weeks ago, Garret and I drove up there and met with a real estate agent. She found us a small house that’s for rent during the school year. The owners only live there during the summer. The house is furnished and it’s right on the beach. The real estate agent took care of all the details and just last week, we put down our deposit. The place isn’t cheap but Garret and I really want to live there and I can easily afford it.

The fact that I have money hasn’t really sunk in yet. I keep pretending it’s Garret’s and not mine because otherwise I’m not sure I’d be able to spend it. I still have trouble buying a t-shirt that’s not on sale. It’s like my mind still doesn’t believe that I have this money. Like it’s not real.

Back in May, Garret taught me the basics of how trust funds work and he helped me get Frank the money I promised him. Other than that, Garret hasn’t said much to me about the money. He knows I need some time to let it all sink in. I was worried he might feel weird now that I’m the one with money and he’s not, but so far everything’s been fine. He hasn’t acted any differently. Then again, we haven’t really talked about it.

I told Harper a week after we moved here that Garret and I wouldn’t be going back to Moorhurst in the fall. She was sad, but she took the news better than I thought she would. She understands the reason why we had to leave Moorhurst. She knows how the people there would gossip about us and talk to the tabloids and make up more lies about Ava and Garret being a couple.

But that’s only part of the story. Harper doesn’t know that Garret and I also wanted to get as far away as possible from the organization, which is based in New York and often holds meetings in Connecticut. Harper doesn’t know about the organization and has no idea Garret was picked to be our future president someday. That’s something I’ll never tell her or anyone else. She also doesn’t know that Garret is no longer rich or that I’m now a millionaire.

“I’m sure Garret will survive not being able to surf every day.” Harper goes to the kitchen and takes a water from the fridge. “Besides, by then you guys will be married and he’ll have husband responsibilities. He won’t have time to surf.”

I laugh. “What are husband responsibilities?”

She stands at the kitchen island adjusting her ponytail. “I don’t know. Taking the garbage out. Fixing stuff.”

“He already takes the garbage out so I don’t think that’s a husband responsibility. And he won’t have to fix anything. The house is newly renovated and if something breaks, we’ll just hire someone.”

“Yeah, I guess. So anyway, I was thinking we could skip the beach today and go shopping for your dress.”

“But it’s such a nice day. I don’t want to spend it shopping.”

“This is California, Jade. The weather’s nice every day. You can’t use that as an excuse.” She grabs another water and hands it to me. “Let’s go right now. The stores just opened. They won’t be crowded.”

“Where are we going?”

“To some bridal shops. My mom’s friends with a wedding planner and the woman emailed me a list of places we should try. They’re all within an hour of here.”

“So we’re going out of town? Harper, you should’ve told me. I need to tell Garret and now he’s in the ocean.”

“I told Sean we might be going. He’ll tell him. Or leave Garret a note if you’re that worried about it.”

“Okay, but I don’t want to spend all day on this.” I grab a pen and search for a piece of paper. “Let’s just go to whatever store has the biggest selection and I’ll pick something. I don’t need to go to multiple stores.”

She hands me a pad of sticky notes from the counter. “Jade, this is your wedding dress. You can’t just pick the first one you find.”

“I don’t know why I can’t just find a simple dress at the mall. I don’t like wedding dresses. They’re too poofy and frilly and lacy. You know that’s not me.”

“They’re not all like that. We’ll find you one you love. I promise.”

“Well, now you’re just being crazy. I might find one Ilike, but I definitely won’tloveit.”

“Write your note and let’s go.”

We get in her Lexus SUV and she takes me to the first store, which is only a few miles away. The place is filled with poofy dresses. We leave right away and drive to the next town, stopping at two more stores. I try a couple dresses on but they don’t look right. They’re still too ornate and they flare out at the bottom like a fish tail. Not my style.

We have lunch and then continue up the coast. Garret calls just as we arrive at yet another bridal boutique. The front window is full of lacy dresses, the type I’d never wear.

“How’s the shopping going?” I can feel him smiling through the phone.

Harper gets out of the car and I motion her to go without me. “I’ll be right in.” I tell her. “Did you know about this?” I ask Garret as I watch Harper go inside the small white building.

He laughs. “Not until I saw your note. Sean said Harper was taking you shopping this week, but he didn’t know what day. So did you find anything?”

“No. Everything is too over-the-top. They don’t seem to make just a basic, simple dress.”

“Keep looking. I texted Harper and told her not to bring you back until you picked something.”

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