Page 15 of I Think They Love You

“I’m proud of you too,” she starts. “For knowing your strengths. Not falling for the pressure.”

Denz lifts a questioning eyebrow.

“I rarely agree with the aunties. Especially about us.” She grimaces. “But I’m happy you didn’t let Eva convince you to go after something you’re not ready for.”

“Not—” He drags his hand away. “—ready for?”

“Denz.” Her voice is more annoyed than malicious. Like she can’t believe she has to spell this out for him. “You’re invaluable. Saturday wouldn’t have happened without you. But being CEO is serious.”

That word again. “Serious.” Something his sister clearly doesn’t associate with him. It’s one thing to be doubted by the aunties, even his dad. But coming from Kami, this angers him.

“I’m as good as Eric or anyone else here,” he says. “I take a lot of things seriously.”

“Okay.” Kami folds her arms across her chest. “What, then?”

He snatches his phone from the desk. “My brand!”

“What else?”

“Our family’s legacy. Our dad’s dream.”

He never talks about it, but the first time Denz saw Kenneth in action went like this:

He was six years old, peeking from behind a group of cameramen and producers. A young and growing 24 Carter Gold was chosen for a segment on a reality show.Marvelous Weddings.

A close-up: the bride-to-be, Audrey Hudson, a certified EGOT, was sobbing on the love seat in Kenneth’s office. On bended knee, Kenneth coaxed her out of the death grip ofwrong flowers, wrong dress, wrong groom. A fairy godfather with promises of happily-ever-after and a Kleenex for her mascara-streaked cheeks.

Captivated, Denz wriggled through the production team. Right into the shot like a kid interrupting his parents’ Zoom meeting.

No one screamed, “Cut!” His unplanned interruption was met with laughter. Even Kenneth grinned.

They finished filming with Denz in the thick of it, propped in his dad’s lap. Watching Kenneth rescue someone’s dreams fromdestruction. It wasMarvelous Weddings’ highest-viewed episode ever. The turning point for 24 Carter Gold. New clients poured in from everywhere.

Eventually, after dealing with one too many nightmare clients, Kenneth took wedding planning off the list of services provided. But Denz still thinks of that day. The instant he realized he wanted to be the one who changed someone else’s life, if only for a moment.

Denz still hasn’t reached his full potential. Hasn’t made his mark in the Carter empire. This is his time.

He stands abruptly. “I may not have been around as long as you or Eric, but I’m devoted to seeing the company thrive.”

“Are you?” Kami sighs. “God, Denz. You’re not even committed to your own personal life. How many years has it been since you put forth the effort to be in a relationship?”

Denz didn’t sign up for a surprise roasting from his sister. He needs to say something.Anything.

“I’m nominating myself, Kam.”

Heshouldstop there. But he’s pissed and emotional. Of course he says the stupidest thing imaginable to reinforce his point:

“I tried keeping it low key, but… I have a boyfriend.”

“You have awhat?” A new head pops into his office doorway. Auntie Cheryl.“Who?”

“I—ah.”

The lie doesn’t come fast enough. Denz looks between his stunned sister and intrigued auntie. This is where he yanks his foot out of his mouth. Corrects things. But if he confesses now, he’ll confirm Cheryl’s earlier comments about him.

Denz has been humiliated enough today.

“Boyfriend,” he squeaks out. “Serious. Relationship.”

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