Page 68 of The Billionaire Invitation

“Come on.” Chloe looped her arm in Honesty’s. “There is fresh air and fewer assholes out here.”

Honesty chuckled.

Once they were seated around the gas fire table with glasses of bubbly for each of them, Honesty decided to tackle the topic head-on.

“Is this typically how they interact?”

“Usually Dante is as cool as a cucumber,” Chloe said. “At least the few times I’ve seen him.”

“His behavior is unusual,” Jaylyn confirmed. “In his defense, he’s been stuffing down his emotions for a decade. He was filled to capacity. He was bound to spring a leak at some point.”

“Have you seen that magic trick where you put a piece of clear tape on a balloon and then stick it with a pin?” Chloe asked. “You think it’s going to pop, but it doesn’t.”

Christian had showed Honesty that gag once.

“That’s what Dante is like,” Chloe concluded. “He’s been poked, and anger is leaking out.”

“That wasn’t the pop?” Honesty glanced into the room where Octavius sat by Simone’s side, cooing at the baby. She supposed it could have been worse.

“Not even close.” Jaylyn shook her head.

“What Dante has managed to do with his life is admirable. Impressive, even,” Honesty said in his defense. “He dropped out of Northwestern to take on a business he knew nothing about, help his mother, and bury his beloved grandfather. Has Octavius ever told Dante that he was proud of him?”

Reagan and Chloe looked to Jaylyn for an answer. Jaylyn leaned back in her chair and threw one black boot over the arm while sipping her champagne. “I don’t know. These grown men need to handle their shit. I’ve got my own problems.”

Jaylyn had a point. It wasn’t Honesty’s place to insert herself into family drama, even if it was in Dante’s defense. Or maybe especially for that reason.

Chloe mentioned Jaylyn’s ring designs and the two began talking animatedly. Reagan leaned over the arm of her own chair to whisper to Honesty, “I think it’s nice that you’re looking out for Dante. He has seemed very alone since I’ve met him. Which, I guess technically is his own fault for leaving Chicago the way he did.”

Honesty appreciated Reagan riding to Honesty’s defense despite her soon-to-be family ties the Cranes. But…

“That was a long time ago,” Honesty told her.

“What about now?” This from Chloe, who had abandoned the jewelry convo to ask.

“Now they’re navigating treacherous waters. Sex with the ex,” Jaylyn said against the rim of her champagne glass.

“J, be nice!” Reagan scolded.

“I’m always nice,” Jaylyn argued.

“It’s true.” Honesty finished off her champagne and splashed more into her glass. “I’m not sure what the future holds for Dante and me.”

“And there’s no reason for you to give us any answers.” Reagan nodded. “It took Brody and me a minute to find our way. He was going to leave for New York and look how that turned out.”

“Yes, but Dad wasn’t wrong.” Jaylyn surveyed the ladies’ dubious expressions.

Honesty decided to put a pin in her own balloon and keep quiet for the moment.

“Dante went to LA because of an emergency,” J said. “But there’s no emergency anymore. There is absolutely no reason he can’t run his foundation from Chicago, or, hell, why he has to run it at all. Dad runs multiple businesses and he’s never around.”

“I think that’s the problem,” Honesty said.

“Point being, there is no reason for Dante to travel to LA if he doesn’t have to travel to LA,” J replied. “Simone’s not there most of the time! Plus, he has you. You’re here.”

“He doesn’t necessarily have me,” Honesty said. “He was pretty clear about wanting us to be temporary until he went back to the West Coast. And I agreed.”

“But I like you,” Jaylyn said, before pushing her lower lip into a pout.