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Our private discussion is interrupted as the doors swing open to admit Joar Jacoby with his wife, actress Clover Callahan. Ty and Zoey Rainier follow. They’re with Connor McGloughlin, Ty’s bandmate, and his wife, actress Ronni Miller. Clover stars in Ronni’s latest television show.
When Miles joins us a few minutes later, his eyes nearly bug out at all the star power. “Holy shit, I thought I was in Hollywood for a minute.”
Everyone laughs at his self-depreciating humor. He’s become quite the celebrity over the past month when Shark Tank tapped him to be a new shark this season.
Shay, Ty, and Zoey gathered us for the dinner tonight because of the Rainier Foundation endowments. In Shay’s initial month as Development Director, she shored up funding to launch educational programming in film, media, gaming, and programming by obtaining financial commitments from Joar, Ronni and, of course, me and Miles.
With the educational initiatives fully paid for, Shay has literally quadrupled the reach of Ty and Zoey’s foundation. Children in underserved communities all over the country will now have access to top-notch education in the arts.
Once everyone is seated and has a glass of champagne, Shay stands. She’s stunning in a simple black fitted dress. Her hair’s pulled back into a loose bun. “Congratulations to us all. We’re making history. Children who have creative aptitude will not be passed over. I can’t wait for each and every one of you to see the impact you’re having on future generations.”
Ty stands, every inch of him oozes with stage presence. I’ve never seen someone so softspoken be able to command an audience of any size. “Shay, Zoey and I knew we were on the right path pursuing you. I’d apologize to Hungry Llama for stealing you away, but there’s no need. We’re all in this together.”
Zoey clinks her glass with the rest of us, but doesn’t take a sip.
“Z, don’t tell me.” Ronni points at her laughing. “Again?”
She blushes and nestles against Ty, who beams like a spotlight. “He threatened to keep me barefoot and pregnant, and he’s a man of his word.”
“We’re due next summer.” Ty pats Zoey’s nonexistent belly. “We’ll stop when we have a baseball team.”
“Jaysus.” Connor shakes his head.
Ronni grips his forearm. “We’re done, babe. Done. Done. Done.”
Clover and Joar exchange a look and a smile.
“Should we tell them?” Joar asks her.
She throws her hands up in exasperation. “Uh, for a guy who is so astute in business, you’re not particularly great at keeping secrets. Yes. We’re pregnant again too.”
“I’m in dangerous company.” Miles gulps down the rest of his champagne. “As the sole single person here, I hope whatever fertility fairy dust that seems to touch all y’all doesn’t touch me.”
We all laugh but I know there’s a grain of envy in Miles’s comment. For nearly two decades he and I have been a duo. He’s all but come out and said it: with the sale of our company he’s worried our sole connection will be through Shay. He’s wrong, of course, but if the situation were reversed, I’d definitely feel similarly.
The atmosphere shifts when the appetizer is served—an exquisite Dungeness crab salad with citrus dressing. Ty, a food aficionado, moans in appreciation. “This is fucking awesome. I love the fennel.” He pats his rock-hard abs. “I haven’t eaten all day.”
Miles twirls his fork, still in awe of the lead singer of Less Than Zero. “Are there any tours on the horizon?”
Ty grins. “Maybe. But we’re focusing on life too, not just the music, right, Connor?”
“Aye.” The big burly bass player kisses his wife’s head and goes back to eating.
The dishes keep coming. A seared halibut with apple-cider glaze arrives, followed by a luscious duck confit paired with wine-soaked cherries.
Ronni, ever the businesswoman, muses, “The key,” she gestures to Miles and me, “is balance. Work, while fulfilling, should not be all-consuming.”
“Hey…“ Miles raises an eyebrow, playfully defensive. “You make it sound as if Austin and I are workaholics.”
“Do you know yourselves?” Shay laughs. “You both are! But I adore you regardless.”
I play it cool. “Well, now that the deal is done and the endowments are finalized, I’ve got plans for Shay and I to sneak off. A beach perhaps…”
Zoey exhales dramatically, “Shay, has he been holding out on you?”
Shay giggles. “Austin’s full of surprises. I’ve been dreaming of the sun; this summer hasn’t been the warmest.”
Joar’s voice turns soft, as he takes Clover’s hand. “Experiencing the world offers great perspective.”
