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“Me too.”
Brock and John appeared and opened the doors for their respective wives. Once we were each settled, we were off. I wistfully stared out the window at the gorgeous homes in Brock’s neighborhood. They were few and far between, each unique, and all magnificent. They were a far cry from the simple home Grandma and Grandpa had provided. And they were worlds apart from the foster homes I had been shuttled between.
The aspen trees dotting the landscape had lost their summer green and now resembled gold glitter in the late afternoon sun. It was a reminder of the changing of seasons. I was in a changing of seasons, of sorts. I worried, though, that just as the golden leaves would soon wither and die, figuratively, I might too. Would Dani Holland devour Dani Kramer?
All the years I had been in love with Brock and wished for him to share his name with me, I’d never truly thought of what it would be like to live day in and day out in his world. Perhaps it was because I’d thought if I were his world, it wouldn’t matter. That somehow our love would have insulated us. However, I wasn’t his world, and I had been naive to think that would have protected me against the power and greed that surrounded us. And I’d had no idea how cold and calculating his father really was. I’d had no idea about a lot of things. Even Jill, who I’d thought was sweet, had this elitist, manipulative air to her. One she had hidden well, but had I ever gotten a taste of it. I feared she might scratch my eyes out at the engagement party if I got any attention at all. Believe me, I didn’t welcome the spotlight.
Brock interrupted my depressing thoughts by reaching across the expansive back seat and taking my hand. It didn’t go unnoticed by John. He smiled at me through the rearview mirror, pleased, as if it were all going according to his plans. It washed away any comfort I felt from Brock’s touch. His father had probably given him some sort of signal, reminding him he needed to act like a doting husband.
I didn’t even turn to acknowledge Brock. It was one way of standing up to John. Instead, I leaned my head against the cool glass and listened to Sheridan excitedly name off all the people she couldn’t wait to see at the party. People she couldn’t wait to introduce me to. It made me feel sicker to my stomach than I already felt.
Thankfully, it didn’t take long for us to get to the airport. Driving into the Hollands’ large private hangar with their sleek jet ready to go was surreal. The well-lit hangar had offices and even a minibar. It belonged on that old show, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. It all served as a reminder that I was living someone else’s life. Even though I had flown on it once before, many years ago when Jonah had married his first wife, Eliza, in Nantucket. Back then it had seemed fun to spend the weekend with my closest friends—minus Ariana, as she couldn’t bear to watch the man she loved marry another—jetting around. At the time, there was so much ease between Brock and me. I missed that more than anything.
The pilot and copilot greeted us and took our luggage. While John and Sheridan boarded the plane, Brock held me back before I could climb the stairs. “Are you okay? You were quiet on the drive over.”
I nodded, too tired to speak or tell the truth. Not that it would matter if I did. I would still be getting on that plane and flying toward what was sure to be an uncomfortable weekend. Made worse by the fact that I had to pretend I was a happy newlywed who wasn’t vomiting almost every day.
Brock narrowed his eyes, not believing me.
I didn’t try to convince him. I turned and trudged up the stairs.
The jet could carry over ten people and had a few different seating areas. A group of four chairs sat around a table. John was already sitting there with his laptop open. I knew Brock would join him. Sheridan was cozied up on the leather couch, hugging a navy throw pillow with the Holland Industries logo on it. It resembled a flame—appropriate since it was a gas and oil company.
Sheridan patted the seat next to her. “Sit by me, Dani darling.”
I scooted down the length of the plane, past John, who flashed me a toothy smile. I kept my face straight and passed on to sit next to my mother-in-law, who couldn’t have beamed any brighter at me. Guiltily, I sat next to her.
She patted my leg. “I’ve been waiting for this day.”
