Page 140 of Collateral Damage
I shake my head, fingers involuntarily jumping up to the bruises I’ve covered with makeup. “It’s the gala,” I admit. “I’m trying to keep everything on track, but it’s… a lot.”
Arden nods. “That’s not surprising. You’re basically running the show, right?”
I let out a dry chuckle. “Feels like it. The prep is endless, and the stakes are high, but at least there’s Cooper to come home to.”
She waggles her brows. “Tell me more.”
“It’s good with him,” I say, grinning despite myself. “Better than good. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
Arden bumps my shoulder. “You deserve it, Syb. It’s about time.”
I’m grateful, but the moment fades as my thoughts shift. “It’s not just the gala… Lance Vale has been cold as ever.”
“What do you mean?”
That’s right, she only knows Lance from the brief internship she did last summer.
“Oh, if only you knew what a psycho he’s become.”
“What?”
I laugh, even though it’s not funny, then spend the next ten minutes bitching about what a horrible boss he’s turning out to be. When I get to the part about the email hack and someone canceling the first gala venue, she’s in total shock.
“And the board really didn’t fire him?”
I shake my head.
“Assholes.”
Arden rarely swears so when she does, it makes me laugh, but right now I’m too worked up.
“At least he moved his nephew to another department,” I finish with a huff, “but now I’m scrambling, and I really want the promotion when Miriam retires.”
“You’re literally a Laurence. The job is as good as yours.”
I shrug. “If Vale secures the official CEO gig, I might as well pack up my desk now.”
Her face pales. “That’s scary.”
“I love The Laurence Foundation with my whole heart. I want to continue building the vision.”
Arden smiles. “You will. You’ve got the heart and the brains for it.”
I’m grateful for the reassurance, but my mind is already drifting. “Then there’s Top of the World…”
She laughs knowingly. “I’ve been watching the episodes, and don’t forget, I live in the building. People do know the starsaren’t living there anymore, right? Fans keep showing up, and our doorman is about to lose his mind. Poor Pauly.”
I wince, and she loops her arm through mine as we pause by a stretch of flame-colored maples. The city hums around us, but in this garden, it feels like we’ve found a sanctuary. “You care so much about everyone else, Syb. When was the last time you let someone take care of you?”
I laugh lightly, but there’s no real answer to her question. I guess I let Cooper take care of me to a degree, and I’ve definitely let him into my heart and my life, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to rely on him for anything I can do myself. It’s the same reason I have had such a hard time bringing on an assistant, even though I tell myself I’ll hire help.
I trust myself way more than I trust others.
Arden and I walk in comfortable silence, and our ability to be silent together is how I know Arden is one of my best friends. We get each other. It’s still crazy to think that she’s actually my sister, but I’m grateful too, even if the circumstances that brought her into this world came with a lot of heartbreak. Truth is, I love my brothers with my entire heart, but I always wanted a sister, and I feel so lucky to have her.
How often do I tell her that?
“You know I love you, right?” I elbow her gently.
