Page 248 of Handsome Devil
“I want to be able to stand myself. And I want Devi to want me with or without all of… this.” I waved my hand vaguely at the office.
My grandmother just stared up at me. I had no idea what she was thinking. “And if she doesn’t?”
“Either way, I need to do this. Whatever happens… maybe afterwards we can discuss the future of this company.”
I’d always been scared to negotiate with my grandmother because I thought she held all the cards. But one thing I’d realized last night when I turned it over and over in my head a thousand times: she needed me as much as I needed her.
“I love you, Grandmother,” I told her. I went around her desk and kissed her on the head. “There’s nothing you could’ve done to stop this. It’s just what I need to do.”
Then I left.
Chapter Forty-Two
Dane / Devi
SUBJECT: I’m Sorry
Devi,
I thought I should open with an apology because you deserve one.
It was shitty of me to suck you into all of this.
I knew my family saw something in you, something they liked, so I used it for my own gain. The truth is, I always saw something in you, too. And maybe I was jealous of that.
But I really don’t know what I was thinking asking you to fake-love me.
If I can’t impress my family myself, something is seriously wrong with my life.
I’ve started the wheels in motion to sell Superior’s west coast office to you. My team will take care of the transaction. You don’t need to worry about anything. I’ll have the contract drafted for you to look over in detail with your brother, and make sure it works for you. And of course, I will cover the costs.
The agency will once again be independent, and I’m sure it will thrive in your hands. You’ve had a vision for it for a long time.
Also, I wanted to let you know that I’m going away for a while. I spoke with my family, about everything. But I think I need some time to think about things and, I don’t know, find myself or something? Whatever it is that hippies do when they travel?
I don’t know where I’m going yet but I’m leaving tomorrow. Maybe a few weeks, nothing crazy. But I might be out of touch for a while.
I just didn’t want you to worry.
I’ll probably have my phone turned off. I may even throw it in the ocean.
Dane
Dane,
This doesn’t sound like you.
I appreciate that you’re selling me the agency. Actually, you’re buying it for me. I guess you finally understand how much it means to me. I don’t even know what to say except THANK YOU.
I would do a celebration dance right now, except for that other thing you said.
I understand wanting time away. A break. A vacation.
But since when have you ever wanted to be a hippie?
You’re not lost. There’s nothing to find. You’re in Toronto living your life.
Devi
