Page 24 of Sharing Shadow Secrets
“True. I don’t know. I grew up in an environment where everyone was more or less in the same income level, and then I went to college and it was like holy shit, there are kids that drive Ferraris to class. It was just such a juxtaposition, and then partying with them … endless fodder I turned into memes, which ended up paying off my student loans.”
“Are you dating me for more fodder?” I joke, hoping that’s not the case. Most people have little empathy for my one-percent problems, which is why I save them for therapy or my friends who can relate.
“No. I’m done talking shit online, and I get more enjoyment out of helping businesses grow by finding their voice.”
“Sounds like good vibes.” I wink and decide to share. “I never drove a Ferrari to class, but I did plenty of douchey things when I was at Notre Dame.”
Like jetting off after class on Friday to party in Ibiza for the weekend and roll into Monday’s class still messed up.
“Notre Dame. Enough said,” she says condescendingly.
I let go of her hand, needing to check in. “I have the biggest crush, but I’m having a hard time gauging if you’re into me.”
“Sorry,” she barely makes out, running her hands through her hair and looking down. Her eyes flick back up and are warm. “I am into you.”
I smile, reaching for her hand again. “Will you be nicer to me?”
“Yes,” she whispers while interlacing her fingers with mine. “I am sorry. I wasn’t trying to be mean. But I get how I was. I don’t know why I’m like that.”
“Don’t act so innocent, DVP,” I tease, wanting to lighten the mood.
She giggles, holding my hand tighter.
“For fodder,” I say, thinking back to college. “It wasinterestingto take class in a building named after Kent Dubois.”
“That’s good fodder. So, what did you study?”
“Finance. I didn’t really have a say in where I went to school and what I studied.”
“What do you mean?”
“The thing aboutKent Duboisis that he is a very intense person who doesn’t understand the word no. Everything is a negotiation to him.” I shake my head, pausing. “When he used to threaten to cut me off, I would do whatever he was asking, but now … I wish I had cut ties with him a long time ago.”
Taylor’s face … I bet she’s wondering how to respond to these touchy topics. I should talk about something lighter.
“So, where did you go to school?”
“Northwestern.”
“Northwestern?” I cock my brow. “You have no ground to stand on. There aresomany assholes there.”
She fights back a smile, then quips, “We’ve already agreed that I’m an asshole.”
I squeeze her hand, loving this rhythm between us. It’s not for everyone, but I like it and I’m not going to think about how she has something else in common with my ex, who also went to Northwestern.
15
After a growing pause, I ask, “Why do you work?” I mean, it’s not like he needs to.
“Structure and routine are important to me. I need it more than most people.”
He’s in recovery.That is something I’ll need to consider more if we keep dating.
The server approaches with our appetizer, sliding it onto the table. “Have you decided?” he asks.
We’ve been so wrapped up in conversation, but I order something I know I will like. “The gyro plate.”
“Great. And you?”
