“You’re not wearing a coat,” I said.
She shook her head dismissively. “We’re only walking across the street. I didn’t think I’d need one.” She gripped my arms, just above the elbows. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. The loneliness wasn’t gone, but it was accompanied by a sense of resignation that at least made me feel like I could keep walking.
“You don’t need them, Alex,” Dani said.
My heart warmed that she’d sensed my feelings so easily, but her words didn’t change the fact that some part of me still felt like I did need them. Or maybe it was just that I wanted them to need me.
“Come on,” I said. Taking Dani’s hand, I led us across the street and to the doors of the Compassion Experiment venue, where the bouncers had already started checking tickets and admitting the first guests. The bouncer closest to us waved us through. Inside, we crossed a large, open area, pausing at the foot of a wide set of stairs that led to the main event space.
“What did you say to Sasha?” I asked.
She grinned. “That I missed working for her, and that time away had made me realize what a wonderful opportunity she had given me.”
I narrowed my eyes. “I had no idea you were such a good liar.”
“It wasn’t totally a lie,” Dani said. “I do miss some things about working at LeFranc, and by forcing me to leave, she did give me other opportunities.”
“That’s true,” I said, though I still wasn’t sure I understood her motivation.
“And now, when we arrive at the wedding next week, it won’t feel so out of the blue when I text Sasha and ask her if there is anything I can do for her. If she doesn’t have a good assistant, she’s probably going to need help.”
“Which means it will be that much easier for you to swap out the dresses.”
She grinned. “Exactly.”
“I’m impressed. A little terrified, but definitely impressed.”
We stopped at the top of the stairs. The venue was buzzing with energy, guests filling the tables and chairs scattered through the space. Isaac stood on the stage doing a soundcheck.
“Is Isaac wearing a tie?” Dani asked.
“He looks good, doesn’t he? I told him since he’s the Master of Ceremonies, he had to wear one.”
Dani shook her head. “The breadth of your influence never ceases to amaze me.”
Everything progressed smoothly as the night went on, except for one scavenger hunt team that was down a team member because of the flu. But even that crisis only lasted a moment. Isaac held an impromptu trivia game on stage for anyone willing to join the team and gave the open spot to the last woman standing.
The man was quicker on his feet than anyone I knew.
The best part of the night was watching the video feeds of the teams, and all the acts of kindness they performed. Kids in hospitals opening presents. Unsuspecting grocery shoppers having their carts paid for in full. Free hugs. Isaac had managed to orchestrate an event that showed the very best of humanity.
Just past eleven, when all the teams had returned to the party, and the opening acts had finished their sets, I met Dani backstage. “Are you ready?” I whispered.
She gave me a slight nod before Mushroom materialized beside her and handed her a microphone. “The stage lights will be down when the band gets in place, and they’ll stay down, except for one spotlight out front. When you see my cue, walk to that spot, turn on the microphone using the little button right here, and you’ll be ready to roll.”
Dani nodded. “Got it.”
Moments later, I watched as she took center stage. Isaac, who had been distracted by Tyler long enough for Red Renegade to take the stage, reappeared at the sound of Dani’s voice and immediately crossed to where I stood watching her. “What is she doing?” he asked.
I only smiled. “She’s about to give you the greatest Christmas present you’ve ever gotten.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dani
Late Christmas morning, I still hadn’t talked to Isaac. Not really, anyway. He’d given me a bone-crushing hug right after I’d walked off the stage, but then he’d been so wrapped up in hanging out with Red Renegade, taking pictures with Red Renegade, talking to Reggie Fletcher with unbridled enthusiasm, there hadn’t been time for a conversation.
Not that I’d been expecting one. I’d made him happy; that was enough.
Yet, when he found me lounging in the hotel lobby, a cup of coffee in hand, my heart swelled at the same time a wave of nervousness washed over me. Had I made him happy? Did he recognize the gesture as the apology it was meant to be?
“Hey,” he said, dropping into the chair across from me. “Where’d you get the coffee? I could use some.”
I motioned to the far side of the lobby, where a small café sat nestled in the corner. “Over there. But here.” I held out my cup. “This is my second one. You can finish it.”
He took it, taking a long swallow before setting the cup down on the small table between us. “So last night,” he said, leaning back in his chair.
“It was an amazing event, Isaac. You should be really proud.”
He nodded. “We raised a lot of money. More than we expected. But that’s not why I brought it up.”
I smiled.
“I don’t know how you pulled it off, Dani, but that . . . that was the greatest thing anyone has ever done for me.”
“Darius helped too,” I said.
“Did you make the jackets they were all wearing?”
I nodded. “It was the one thing they demanded in exchange for doing the event.”
Isaac’s eyes flashed with understanding. “That’s why you sold all your fabric.”
I winced. “I was hoping you wouldn’t realize that had happened.”
“Thank you. Truly. It—” He swallowed. “It means a lot.”
“I’m sorry I was a jerk about your YouTube channel.”
“I’m sorry for always calling you Dandelion.”
I laughed. “No you’re not.”
He grinned. “Okay. I’m not. But I’ll stop doing it anyway.” He leaned forward and drained the last of the coffee. “So, what’s going on with you and Alex?”
I groaned. “What, we’re getting along now so I have to tell you everything?”
He shrugged. “Only if you want to. I’m just saying. The fact that something is going on is written all over both your faces. I’m hoping you’ll figure it out so the rest of us don’t have to keep tiptoeing around the subject. Just get together already so everything can go back to normal.”
I leaned my head on the cushion behind me. “If only it were that easy.”
“Are you thinking you might stay in Charleston?”
“I don’t know. Maybe? I might have to. Next week might not work out the way we’re all hoping.”
“True.” He nodded. “Well, if it matters, I think it’d be cool if you stayed.” He ran a hand through his hair. “It’s been nice having you around.”
“You mean it’s been nice—”
He cut me off. “Not just because of the food.” He stood, moving behind me, and dropped a hand onto my shoulder.