My heart aches a little at the thought.
I know it makes sense to wait until we are more stable in our careers to have kids, but sometimes, I just want it now. Even bestselling self-published authors don’t make that much money. I keep imagining our baby, with Devon’s bright blue eyes and tufts of blond hair. I go a little gooey and shake my head, turning to my laptop.
Chapter Four
DEVON: THEN
The flight was relatively painless, but there’s only so many things you can do for a little over five hours. I watched a movie and tried to read a magazine, but my leg kept jiggling and I just sat beaming with excitement.
I’m finally going to the conference of my dreams! I’ve wanted to go for years, and truthfully, we couldn’t ever justify the cost. One year, Jade, and my mom tried to get me a ticket as a surprise, but they were sold out instantly. So, getting a free one was just… incredible.
We’d made it to the apartment Ross rented out, perfectly situated in midtown Manhattan. It has two bedrooms, so I didn’t need to worry about finding somewhere to stay.
I really lucked out.
It feels good to relax after sitting in the ridiculous New York traffic, the cab stifled with heat. Then again, it is July. The heat is even worse downtown, like it’s trapped, bouncing between the tall buildings. The AC kicks in, and I head for a shower before the welcome mixer this evening.
Maybe Grant Carey will be there.
I waste no time in stripping off my sticky clothes and showering, wondering who owns such an apartment. The bathroom is tiled in white from the floor to the ceiling, and the lights are a soft purple. It’s relaxing, for sure, but I can’t imagine it’s very practical if you’re shaving.
Not that I care—this is all free.
Thirty minutes later, we’re at the hotel.
“Not bad, huh?” Ross grins as the cab swings onto Sixth Avenue, headlights flashing off the glass towers. When it stops outside the hotel, I climb out into a blur of noise and motion—horns, voices, the usual madness of the city. The hotel looms above us, all glass and steel, its revolving doors spinning nonstop with business types and travelers.
I whistle. “It’s pretty neat. I bet it would cost quite a bit to stay here.”
Ross nods. “Yeah, it was five-fifty a night, hence why I got an Air B&B.”
I wince and glance around us, wondering how people could afford such luxury. We don’t do bad, Jade and I, butdamn. Imagine being able to afford to stay here for four nights.
“Let’s head inside,” Ross says, and I follow him through the revolving doors.
Inside, the lobby is glowing, all golden light, smooth jazz, and the clink of glass from the bar tucked to the right. Men in fitted shirts and women in heels drift around us. I can almost smell success in the air.
I’m glad I wore a dress-shirt—even though it’s a fitness conference, everyone here is in business attire.
It’s like stepping into a world where anything can happen, and excitement pools in my gut.
People spill out from Herb N’ Kitchen, the hotel’s restaurant.
“It looks like the welcome mixer is over there,” Ross points out, nodding at someone he recognizes. “I’m going to network; I suggest you do the same.”
I watch as he disappears into the crowd of people, all clutching green smoothies in tall glasses. Ross is a little older than me and still dreams of running his own business. My stomach twists—is this how it is for everyone here? There must be over four hundred people here tonight.
Am I just another gym-head who wants to make it big?
Competition is fierce in this industry, but I know my shit. What I need to do is find out how to stand out from everyone else, something I’m hoping Grant Carey can help me with.
I head toward a bored-looking server manning a table of green smoothies and take one for myself.
“Good evening,” the server says, like he’s surpassing a yawn. “Grab yourself a name tag and enjoy your evening.”
I scan the name tags, and I can’t help grinning like a madman when I see my name.
I still can’t believe I’m here!
