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“You’re saying people would throw away our favors?”
I push through. “Have you kept every wedding favor you’ve been given?”
Demi thinks for a moment. “You have a point.”
It’s a small win even if she hates my idea.
“Is it a tax write off?” Bryce asks. “The donation. Would we get the tax benefit or the person whose name the donation is in?”
“I’m not sure about the tax situation. I’m sure you could do either. Either do a large donation on behalf of your wedding guests as a whole or divide it up to each individual guest. I can check with their donations department and see what our options are.”
Bryce’s bottom lip juts out, his eyes narrowing as he thinks.
“It could work,” he says, finally.
He turns to Demi. “What do you think?”
“It might get Maven Manchester off my back about volunteering for her Save the Barn Owl campaign. She’s always giving me shade about missing it. I have nothing against the Barn Owls, I’d just rather be in the Hamptons.”
“It’s about balance, right?” I offer.
Demi shoots me a glance. “Good thinking.” She turns to Johnathan. “I like her.”
When I glance over at Johnathan, he’s grinning ear to ear. “Yeah, me, too.”
* * *
“I thought this was a party.” I glance around at the loft space where we just arrived.
Yesterday, when I started asking in-depth questions about the real estate development firm he works for, Griffin was elated I had shown interest in his work. I felt a tad guilty knowing I was hoping to get more information about Hunter. I hoped Griffin would mention him or give me some kind of tidbit about his life. All I know is that Premier Real Estate Group buys up old commercial or residential buildings in disrepair to develop them into lofts and condos, then turns around and sells them for insane amounts of money. Like the price tag on this place. Read ten point seven million dollars.
“It’s not a frat house.” Griffin chuckles.
“I never went to a frat house.”
“Good,” he says with a satisfied nod.
“What I meant was I thought there were going to be more people.” I motion to the twelve people here milling about.
When Griffin invited me to come and Emma spent two hours picking out my dress, it was under the guise that it would be a fun social event where I could meet young professionals, like myself.
The first person Griffin introduces me to is Walt, Premier’s lead counsel, and his wife, Jan. Walt and Jan are in their sixties and let me know they had just returned from a Caribbean vacation, and are awaiting the arrival of their seventh grandchild any day now.
I think Griffin and Emma just felt bad leaving me home on my first Friday night in the city. Honestly, it has been an exhausting week. I wouldn’t have minded curling up on the couch to watch a movie, or getting some alone time in the apartment and having a hot date with my vibrator, all before passing out in my bed by ten o’clock.
I realize how un-twenty-two-like that all sounds. I should be living it up. Trying out new restaurants and clubbing until all hours of the morning. Griffin probably wouldn’t be pleased about that, but I am excited to start exploring my new city. Do all the touristy stuff that I’ve researched so much about.
But tonight, I’m here. Supportive sister reporting for duty.
I do a quick scan of the room, trying to appear casual, but my body is on high alert looking for Hunter.
Maybe that’s why it didn’t take too much twisting of my arm to come tonight. It’s his company. He’s got to show, right?
But this is not how I imagined it.
I’d hoped it would be a packed house situation. One where I could fade to the background, watch Hunter from afar, hidden behind throngs of people.
Hunter has been on my mind all week. It’s annoying really.
