Page 148 of I Think They Love You

“For the longest time, I thought the same thing.” Leena grins. “But he’s changed.” When Denz raises a confused eyebrow, his mom doesn’t elaborate. She says, “I need a drink. I’m too old for this shit.”

And finally, Denz laughs.

Leena tugs his sleeve. “Ready to show everyone who Denzel Carter really is?”

He nods confidently. There’s nothing left for him to do.

This is his moment, not theirs.

-21-

“… and that’s the day I realized this little dream of mine had become a reality. I—no,wewere on our way to changing lives. Turning other people’s dreams into realities.”

Applause roars from below. Whistles and the occasional “Yesssss,” champagne flutes raised high. Denz sees it all through a hazy fog.

He remembers the first time he ever heard a Kenneth Carter speech. Not the one in his office, for Audrey Hudson, for the cameras. It was at the very first 24 Carter Gold New Year’s Eve bash his parents allowed him to attend. He was thirteen, giddy on adrenaline. Nauseous from the dozens of photographers snapping pics of him in an Armani suit, repeatedly calling his name.

He tripped on stage and forgot his line when introducing his dad, but he remembers his dad’s swagger. The way he drew the crowd in. His energy and jokes. The little personal touches that started an echo ofawws.

The part he recalls with such brilliant clarity is the Kenneth he saw afterward—pale, wide-eyed, wringing his hands as if worried he’d fucked up.

That day, Denz saw himself in his dad.

That day, he truly believed he could be Kenneth Carter.

Now, as his dad recites a speech he spent weeks composing, he feels farther and farther away from thirteen-year-old Denz.

Up on the glass balcony, his eyes flit over the guests below. The aunties in their gowns, the uncles in their tuxes. Eric holds Juliefrom behind. Jamie anxiously chews his nails behind the bar. A sea of excited faces for miles.

On stage, next to him, Nic smirks. Mikah’s wearing a kids’ version of Denz’s suit, holding Leena’s hand. To the left of his dad, Kami avoids eye contact with him.

He wishes she was closer. Wishes he would’ve found her sooner, asked if she’s okay.

Sparkling smile on display, Kenneth says, “And now, I’m happy to introduce you to the new CEO of 24 Carter Gold—”

Holy shit, it’s happening. His dad decided to keep the company in the family. Denz has a second chance to be the Carter he’s supposed to be.

“—and that person is—”

Anticipation vibrates off the crowd.

Denz expected nerves, like his dad after that New Year’s speech. But that’s not what this is. It’s not calmness either. It’s an emptiness, stretched from his skull into his toes. Like he’s finally realizing this one thing won’t do what he hoped it would.

It won’t make him feel worthy.

The part of him that wanted to win is tiny, microscopic by the time the crowd erupts. By the time his dad shouts, “Congratulations, Kamila Carter!”

It happens quickly. Nic hoists Mikah up on her shoulders. Balloons and confetti rain down on them. Camera flashes catch on the tears rolling down Kami’s cheeks as Leena hugs her. Denz wants nothing more than to remind her that she’searnedthis moment, but the guests are rowdy and Kenneth’s shouting, “Speech, speech!”

It’s easy for Denz to step back. Disappear from the stage.

He hears Kami say shakily, “I’m not as great as my dad at speeches, but here goes…” as he descends the spiral staircase into the night.

The first person Denz runs into after the buzz from the announcement wears off isn’t one of the aunties. Or a reporter from TheFinal Word or By Invitation Only looking for a quote about losing. It’s not Jamie, lemon drop martini in hand.

Or even Braylon with a change of heart.

It’s a slightly taller man with rich ochre skin and thick, dark brown hair. He’s got the kind of symmetrical face Denz is instantly jealous of, an endearingly lopsided smile. The frames of his rectangular glasses match his navy suit.

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