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“You mean when women find out I can buy a small country?” I don’t mean to sound bitter, or jaded, but I worry it comes out with bite.
London doesn’t shy away from the subject, not like most women would. Or try to reroute the conversation and avoid sticky topics. “Mmm, yes. I would think it could have the potential to set you up on uneven footing from the start. It would be hard to know at first if someone wanted to be with you because they genuinely like you, or if they were just trying to use you to get ahead. Unless of course you’re involved with someone with the same level of wealth.” She absently runs her finger around the rim of her glass, making it ring quietly. “And your life isn’t really private, is it? People are always interested in what you’re doing and who you’re dating, I’m sure.”
“It can definitely be complicated.”
“Money is a blessing and curse, isn’t it?” London says gently. “I would think it’s easy to be lonely at the top.”
“At times, yes, but I have a few very close friends who have been with me long before this became my reality.”
“Like Trent?”
“Yes, exactly like Trent.” His is a friendship I’ve held onto tightly. It helps that he already came from a family with a more affluent background than mine. And that we worked together on several projects over the years, as I made my way up a ladder that didn’t seem to ever end. He has never once wavered in his allegiance to me and has shown, time and time again, that our friendship is something he values above all else.
“It’s clear you two are close. That’s what my relationship with my sisters is like. I would do anything for them, and they would do anything for me.”
“Which is why you choose to work with them at Spark House.”
“It gives me a way to feel connected to my parents as well. But yes, I’m there because of my sisters.”
“If you weren’t there, where would you be?”
London takes a small sip of her drink and her expression grows wistful. “If I could live on what I make from my Etsy shop, I would take that on full-time. And then just be involved in the creative side of Spark House. I love that part.”
I uncross my legs and lean forward. “Do your sisters know that?”
“No.” She looks out at the cityscape, fingers going to her lips and staying there for a few moments. “Well, Harley knows how much I love my Etsy stuff. I don’t want them to think I don’t love doing what we do. Because I really do enjoy it.”
“There’s a but in there, London. What is it?” I ask gently.
Her tongue peeks out and then her teeth sink into her bottom lip before she turns to face me again. “The parts I love aren’t the parts that I get to focus on. Avery is amazing at organizing events. It’s natural for her and she just … loves it. And Harley is a social media guru. She knows exactly what she’s doing, but it’s not the same for me. I can crunch numbers and make phone calls and arrange meetings, but it all takes so much mental and emotional energy. I just … wish it was easier, I guess.” It looks as though she’s on the verge of becoming emotional. She sits up straight and smiles brightly. “But with all of the opportunities you keep bringing our way … who knows? Maybe I’ll get to focus more on what I love. And even if I don’t get to do it full-time, I get to be with my sisters and that’s far more important.” There’s so much conviction in her words, and a slight hint of defensiveness.
“Do they realize what you sacrifice for them?” I ask quietly.
“It’s not a sacrifice. They’re my family. They’re all I have, and I would trade my dream job a billion times over to preserve the closeness we have. It doesn’t matter that sometimes we drive each other nuts. I adore them.”
“I can understand not wanting to lose that closeness, but if you have to let your own dreams languish so they can live theirs, is that really better?” I pause to let my words sink in. As someone who has had the freedom to figure out what I love to do, it pains me that she can’t do the same. “You always seem to put everyone else ahead of yourself, London. Maybe you need to start putting yourself first.”
She takes a sip of her drink, and I’m unsure how she feels about what I said.
“Losing my parents made me aware of just how fragile life is. And then last year when we almost lost Avery.” She looks away and takes a deep breath. “It’s not just about me. It’s about my family. Sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the people we love. And usually those sacrifices are worth it.”
