Just a quick note, this chapter takes place before Brenda and Dylan's beach trip, but the same day. So after their heated morning after exchange. Then leads into Brenda's dinner with her family (I decided to include it) and then Malibu. Hope the flow is ok. Enjoy!
Chapter 6
Meetings and Apologies
Dylan
I'm thinking about Brenda. I actually haven't stopped thinking about Brenda since she left in tears this morning. No scratch that I haven't been able to stop thinking about her since I saw she got engaged. It wasn't that I had not thought about her before that but I really had tried to move on. Work on me, build my company but the engagement was a harsh reality that I was losing her for good.
We're both hurt that much is clear. The look on her face when I told her I hadn't given a fuck about my money, that I would have given it up and told Jim to fuck off, that I hadn't given up on her. I had given up on me. It was the truth and now that I have my shit together this fucker college kid…alright fine medical school douche is coming in here, giving her a stupid ring and I'm just suppose to give her up…just like that? It seems impossible.
When Brenda rushed out of my hotel room this morning, I came to the office. I couldn't sit in that room next door and not go crazy. She is too close, yet emotionally so far away. Im staring at my computer screen when my phone rings, interrupting my lucid thoughts. It should be a blessing, but rather my patience wears thin with people demanding my attention.
"Yes." I answer, closing my eyes.
"There is a Miss Malone here to see you."
My eyes spring open. I clear my throat, willing to gain some control over my emotions. I'm not sure what Valerie wants but where there is Valerie, Brenda is not far behind.
"Send her in."
I adjust my tie in habit before the door opens and Valerie glides through.
"What the hell is with your secretary?" Valerie complains without a hello or greeting. "It's like she's part of the CIA, and you're under protective guard."
My lips curve into a smile, "Her name is Tabitha, and she is just doing her job."
"I bet that's not the only job she's doing." Valerie glares at me. How uncanny these two best friends to be so alike yet so different at the same time.
"Please tell me Dylan you are not fucking your secretary." Valerie rolls her eyes and sits across from me at my desk without even being offered.
I tilt my head with a serious expression, "No…I'm not fucking my secretary Valerie."
"Thank God. I was about to take away the team Dylan status."
I smirk but eye her dubiously, while waiting for her to give any sort of clue as to why she is visiting me. When it comes to Val, we rarely speak and haven't hung out in many years. Even though I care about Valerie as part of the gang, I never became close to her after Brenda and I got back together. It was a sore subject with our past and she was Brenda's friend when everything was said and done. Valerie had left Beverly Hills about the same time I came back. Brenda and her reconnected and I only knew this much from caching up with Brandon.
"Tell me, Val," I say, sitting back in my chair. "What do I owe the pleasure."
"Everyone is going to Malibu in a couple days."
I pinch the bridge of my nose while clenching my jaw, "Don't remind me, I know all about Brenda and her fiancé's engagement celebration weekend." She raises her perfectly plucked brow when she hears my tone when I say fiancé.
"You gonna go?"
"I'll be in Hong Kong."
Valerie presses her lips into a fine line with a confrontational stance, followed by the fold off her arms beneath her chest.
"Are you really going to Hong Kong, or is it because Brenda and Austin will be there?"
"Val." I warn not missing her emphasis on that fuckers name. "It's my business, there is a lot of money on the line. It comes first" I say trying to play it off as best I can.
"Right…your business…money…as it did four years ago."
I bow my head, letting out a deep breath before murmuring, "You don't know what happened?"
"Of course I know what happened," Valerie professes, raising her tone in frustration. "I was here to witness the aftermath. I wasn't off gallivanting in Beverly Hills making millions of dollars."
"Is that what you think I was doing when I left London?"
She lifts her brows at me, "I wasn't gallivanting Valerie, I was a fucking junky mess. You make it sound like I was gallivanting around and sleeping with loads of women."
Her stare hard, she knows some stuff probably but Brandon had left Beverly Hills too, how much could she know? "I have four words for you…Gina Kincaid and Kelly fucking Taylor." She says with ice in her veins.
"That's 5 words." She flips me off. Good old Valerie. I actually kind of missed her. I get serious and lean my elbows to my desk. I'm a little offended by her words I will admit. Losing Brenda was devastating. I fucking loved her more than myself that much is clear, I gave her up for her own good. Sure there were girls but it was a desperate need to get over her. Maybe it's dumb but it was how I handled it whether it was right or wrong.
"Look Valerie, I was just as heartbroken, okay? It was the worst time of my life. But that is no one else's god damn business but my own. Gina was my girlfriend for a little while and Kelly well…that's been over for well over a year…before that even."
She raises her brow, questioning, "I swear Val…I wasn't in love with Kelly and we haven't been together in any way in over a year. I swear it."
Valerie relaxes like she seems to believe me. This seems to be some sort of test of loyalty and maybe she is making sure my intentions are pure. I wait to see what else she has to say.
"Do you still love Bren?" Her voice is softer now.
I'm suddenly nervous with the question not prepared for the bluntness of it. "What's with the interrogation?" I rebuke, ignoring the tightness in my chest. "I thought you came here to discuss Malibu which I can't attend. The meeting in Hong Kong was last minute and it's been impossible to meet with this chairman." I pause, then exhale a heavy sigh. "As for my feelings for Brenda, I prefer to keep that private. Especially since you are one of her best friends and notorious for opening your mouth."
"I am not notorious for opening my mouth!" She denies raising her tone. Valerie raises from the chair pointing a finger at me with an angered expression. "And just so you know, the two of you are just as stubborn as each other. Maybe, if you were both honest with yourselves, the two of you would't be so damn miserable."
"Brenda looked far from miserable when she was telling me she was in love with Austin and she wouldn't do anything to hurt him." I yell back only to soften my expression when her words sink in. "What are you saying Val?"
She places her hands on her hip, watching me silently until she throws her hands up in he air. "I'm going to spell this out in English." She scoffs, "You're both in shock from seeing each other. No shit, it's been four years. Emotions are running high. Things have been said. The reality is that both of you are fucking crazy about each other. You both need to sort your shit out but how can you do that if you aren't even friends?"
"And you think it's so easy to be friends with someone you're still in love with?" I beg the question.
Valerie drops her glance toward the floor. I know Valerie loves David. She has always loved David. He's married to Donna and has been for the last couple years. She knows it's not easy to be friends with someone you're in love with. Just when I think this conversation is over and she calls defeat, she raises her eyes to meet mine. The blue of her eyes makes her stare impossible to ignore.
"Dylan, I know Brenda better than anyone. That even includes her parents and Brandon at times. The love you guys had for each other always exceeded anything I have ever seen. And second to that was your friendship. Brenda is stubborn but never underestimate her ability to forgive. She has the biggest heart, and even though she has a ring on her finger with the intention to marry Austin, she will always have room in her heart for you."
My eyes break contact as I rise from my chair, pacing the area beside my desk. "I don't share if that's what you're insinuating. She loves the fucker."
Valerie smirks, "I'm informing you to allow Brenda to come around. She always does. Austin isn't the one for her."
Finally she says it. She's been beating around the fucking bush since the moment she walked in here. I smile and she shakes her head, "Don't get me wrong, she loves him." I sigh, "But she isn't in love with him does that make sense? He's safe, it's secure, but he is a fucking asshole Dylan."
I feel my chest heavy, my fists clench at my sides. "Like how Valerie? Does he treat her badly?" I will kill that mother fucker. If he lays one harmful hand on her I swear to god I will kill him.
She comes around my desk and sets a comforting hand on my shoulder, "Calm down, it's not like that. He's not the love of her life. You are." With that she turns and heads to the door.
"Valerie?" I call out causing her to turn around, "What am I suppose to do? Sit here and do nothing?"
She smiles at me, "You do you, Dylan."
I raise my brow, cocking my head to the side while waiting for a proper explanation.
"Be the man she fell in love with. Be the friend that you were in college to her. Who put her before his own girlfriend at the time and was the only one that had her back. The one who got on her nerves and made her feel things that are permanent for a 16 year old girl. The playboy who made her jealous with his flirtatious behavior. But most of all…be the man she can't stop thinking about."
Valerie spelled it in black and white. Basically be me, the guy that loves the girl. Be the old Dylan she was accustomed to because the simplest of reminders is what will trigger Brenda.
"Back to this weekend," Valerie reminds me, "Still a no?" She smiles.
I roll my eyes and take a deep breath. "We'll see." Valerie nods and turns to leave again.
"Valerie?" Her hand is on my office door, "I don't know if I can see him with her…they're staying right fucking next door to me in the hotel."
She exhales and nods, "Austin is in London. He isn't at the hotel with Bren. Apparently he's coming to Malibu but Brenda hasn't even talked to him. If you don't come this weekend, go by her room, she's there, hungover." Valerie chuckles, "Maybe being that friend in college is a good place to start. And if you change your mind about Malibu, you have my number."
And with that Valerie opens my office door and she's gone. My fingers wipe across my mouth. She is right. How can Brenda see we belong together if we aren't even friends. I call out to Tabitha telling her to cancel whatever I have going on this afternoon. Even though I'm going to have to deal with this Hong Kong thing. Within twenty minutes I'm gone and on my way back to the hotel. Knowing Austin isn't there helps my confidence a little. I change out of this stuffy suit and into a t-shirt and jeans, remembering Brenda asking where her old Dylan was. She may have been drunk but she was honest. I'm not at all like the guy she fell in love with. I check my hair one last time and head next door. I'm going to try to get Brenda to the beach with me. Just an afternoon away just us to reconnect as friends. I take a deep breath and knock.
Brenda
The restaurant we are dining at tonight is on West Olympic and it's my fathers favorite steak house. The staff is over accommodating and I feel like rolling my eyes when they give us the best table in the place. It's weird to see my father so known here in this huge city. So much has changed since I lived here. My dad is suddenly Jack McKay but hell if I'd say that out loud. My mom looks beautiful next to him and I can't help but smile. She is still the Cindy Walsh I remember with an added Beverly Hills flair now.
"So honey when is Austin joining us?" My mom asks sweetly as she takes a sip of her Shiraz that's sitting beside her.
I shrug, "He is suppose to meet me in Malibu but we keep missing each other's calls, it would be nice to know the plan." I can't help my tone. I'm frustrated beyond belief at Austin. I have no clue when he'll be here or even if he's coming. It's weird, I haven't gone this long without talking to him ever.
"It's a lot to be in med school. Give the poor guy a break." My father says. Now I do roll my eyes.
"Brandon said he has an interview with a hospital regarding his residency? Does he know what specialty he wants to get into?"
"I think he's gravitating toward pediatrics. But part of him is leaning towards being a trauma surgeon." I open the menu and scan it.
"It's a big decision to make." My dad concludes, letting out a long whistle.
"I guess so." I answer truthfully. I know nothing about being a doctor, only what Austin has told me.
"Hello Family." The familiar voice makes me look up from the menu. I haven't talked to Brandon since our little blow out. He smiles at my mom and dad, kissing our mom on the cheek. "Sorry I'm late, Valerie here couldn't decide what to wear. So typical."
Valerie laughs, "It's not everyday I'm in LA." She walks around the table kissing my mom and my dad on the cheek before sitting down. She flags over the waiter that has been staring at our table since we got here. It looks like we may be his VIP table and only customers. "I'll have a dirty martini." She tells him confidently and my brother orders a beer. I look back down at my menu. My feelings towards my brother at this moment are anything but loving.
"Look what the cat dragged in." I mumble under my breath since Brandon has sat beside me.
My dads eyes the two of us with an amused look on his face. "What are you two arguing about now?"
"Nothing." Brandon and I say at the same time.
Valerie speaks, knowing what our fight was about, "So Jim tell me about this estate in Malibu?" She leans her elbows on the table and I feel like kissing her. I don't need anymore questions about why Brandon and I are fighting.
"The Raven estate is truly breath taking. It's massive, has a pool, over 10 bedrooms, a pool house and is right on the beach in Malibu. You guys will love it."
"Sounds amazing." Brandon says excitedly.
"Who's all coming?" I ask looking at my dad.
"I have a client joining us, Thomas and Cynthia Fleetwood and there daughter Gia. She is the same age as you guys, so make her feel welcome please. This client is important to me but other than that, Steve, Janet, Maddie, Andrea and her new boyfriend Brian, Donna, David, Kelly…the usual suspects."
"I invited Dylan." Valerie says outright. Looking down at her menu not wanting to make eye contact with my father. "But something about a Hong Kong trip"
I clear my throat.
"I invited him too, he told me he was coming." Brandon speaks up.
"Excuse me?" My dad's tone is pissed and it makes all of us look up, even my mom.
"Jim." My mom shakes her head. And my dad breathes out heavily.
"He's part of the group." Valerie defends.
"He is dad…and I haven't seen him in forever. I'm never in LA and Dylan is part of the family." Brandon adds.
"So…Valerie you and Dylan seeing each other again?" He smirks and I don't miss the emphasis on seeing. Valerie and Dylan were fucking not dating.
I grab my wine taking a long sip, he would bring that up.
"Ew no." Valerie's eyes glance at me nervously, we never talk about that. I know, and she knows I know but we have not discussed it. I'm not angry about it. Water under the bridge. I knew it wasn't serious with Dylan and her. It does hurt me my dad would purposely bring it up though.
"Aw that's too bad, you guys were hot and heavy for awhile." I feel nauseous. "He's single, your single…"
I smile and place my napkin on the table, "Going to hit the restroom." I excuse myself getting up.
"Dad." "Jim." I hear my brother and mom speak. I head to the bathroom. Luckily it's empty. I lean both hands on the sink and breathe out. It's not the Dylan and Valerie thing. It doesn't really bother me but my father is just so mean sometimes. I exhale and straighten up. I look at myself in the mirror. I don't look my best, last night's booze fest still lingering under my eyes. I think about my time on the beach with Dylan and smile. It was a fun time. Gone was the awkward, uncomfortable energy. It was just us, reconnecting as friends. It was familiar and conformable. I shake my head, emotionally ready to join back into this disastrous weird dinner. When I open the bathroom door Brandon is leaning against the wall waiting for me.
"What do you want?" I ask softly.
"I'm sorry Bren. I'm sorry for dad and I'm sorry about our fight. I shouldn't have said those things and honestly it isn't my business."
"I'm sorry too. I don't like fighting with you." I look towards the dining room of the restaurant. "Frankly I need you. This weekend is going to be…"
"It's going to be fun. Besides you know dad he was just trying to get under your skin. We are going to be spending a long weekend at the beach. Hopefully Austin will join us and you get to catch up with all our friends."
I nod and give him a small smile. He wraps his arms around me in a tight hug, "You know I love you Bren. I just want you to be happy, if Dylan is just an ex and Austin is the love of your life and you're happy, I'm happy. You deserve it." He holds me tight.
I close my eyes and nod. "I am happy." My tone says the opposite.
Brandon pulls away, looking at me sincerely. "Have you seen Dylan since the morning?"
I nod, "Yeah he took me to the beach today. It was fun. We caught up, talked. I was thankful he came and made me get out with him. Dylan is important to me, we were good friends."
Brandon smiles, "Good…and about Val…" he shakes his head.
I hold up my hand, "I'm not upset, I know he was just trying to get a reaction. I wish I didn't give him one. I know Dylan and Valerie are nothing."
He nods once glad and wraps his arm around me, "Come on sister. Let's order the most expensive thing on the menu. We'll eat too much and drink too much and prove to dad his little stunt didn't matter."
I laugh and nod as we head back to the table. The rest of dinner is uneventful and we don't talk about what my dad did. Valerie is animated about being on the beach and we just enjoy dinner. I don't say much to my father but by the end of dinner he looks at me apologetically. I know my father loves me, it took a long long time to forgive him for the Dylan shit. I actually at one time thought I'd never talk to him again. Truthfully, I had lost Dylan, I didn't want to lose my family too.
We are outside of the restaurant saying our goodbyes. Valerie pulls me aside out of ear shot with the rest of the family.
"Bren…" she begins.
"Val…water under the bridge. You know I love you like a sister."
"Ok good. Ugh Jimbo and his stupid mouth. I wanted to throw a breadstick at his head."
I laugh, "So did I." I get serious, "So Hong Kong?"
"That's what he said. You sound disappointed?" Valerie brags with a knowing smirk. "It would have been perfect. Austin isn't here. A big beautiful house with a giant pool, and did you hear Jim, a beach front property?"
"I'm disappointed but not like that." I lie, trying to keep my expression to a bare minimum. "You guys were right he's part of the group, it won't be the same without him there."
"Yeah I know." She seems to buy it, "I tried to convince him, but he said it was last minute and that he's been waiting to meet with this chairman. I guess it's a big financial deal."
"When did you speak to him?" I ask, curious.
"Earlier, I went to his office. By the way, his secretary, Tabitha. What a waste of fucking air. She wouldn't let me in, even after I told her I was good friends with Dylan. Don't worry he isn't fucking her, I asked." She says nonchalantly.
I press my lips together knowing I thought the same thing of this bitch of a secretary, trying to hide my smile, "Why would I care if Dylan was fucking his secretary?"
Valerie looks at me with the biggest smile, she shrugs knowingly, "I mean…" and with that we laugh out loud. "I love you." She one arm hugs me tightly.
"I love you too."
My phone rings in my purse. I scramble for it and see Austin's name flash my screen. "Finally." I whisper and walk a couple steps away from Valerie. "Hello."
"Hiya Brenda. Sorry." He breathes. "We keep missing each other, bloody time difference. It's good to hear your voice."
"Everything okay?"
"I don't think I can make it out to California."
"What?" I hiss
"I know sweetheart, it's insane here. My interview is changed to Friday. I don't see the point. I'll barely make Malibu and it seems a bloody waste."
"A waste? Our engagement party is a waste?" I raise my voice and notice Valerie, Brandon and my parents looks towards me. "What am I suppose to tell my family?" I whisper.
"I'm sorry Brenda, I truly am. I wanted to be there."
"Austin…this is embarrassing." I plead.
"Sweetie." He whispers. "This interview is important! It's my future…our future."
"So is this weekend."
"Please forgive me. You have every right to take a piss out on me but it really is just shite luck. I love you you know that."
I sigh, "I love you too. Good luck in the interview, let me know how it goes."
"I will."
"Laters Brenda…see you soon."
"Yeah…bye." I hang up and sigh.
"Everything okay?" Brandon looks at me concerned. Actually all my families eyes are on me.
"That was Austin…he's not coming."
"You're kidding." My mother says disappointed.
"Why?" My father asked, he looks disappointed, maybe even a little angry.
I shrug, "His interview at St. Thomas got pushed back to Friday. He doesn't see the point of making such a long trip."
"But…you're here for a week?" Valerie adds.
"I don't know guys, he said he was sorry. Some engagement party huh?"
Brandon comes over and wraps his arm around me, "it doesn't have to be an engagement party, how bout just a Walsh welcome home?" He smiles at me. I nod trying to keep my disappointment and anger to myself.
Valerie is texting someone, I'm too upset to even ask. We say our goodbyes and I head back to my hotel. In two days I'll be at the beach with my old friends. I'm not going to let Austin ruin it for me.
Dylan
Valerie: He isn't coming.
Me: What are you talking about, who isn't coming?
Valerie: AUSTIN!
What the fuck?
Me: Why?
Valerie: His interview got pushed back to Friday, he told Bren he doesn't see the point of making the trip since it's cut short. Dylan…you HAVE to come now.
Me: Val I told you, I'm suppose to be in Hong Kong.
Valerie: Suit yourself…Brenda in a bikini without a fiancé all weekend. I'm sure Hong Kong is better that that.
Me: Christ.
Fuck! I grab my phone checking what time it is in Hong Kong. It's prime work day hour. I hit call and try to contact Mr. Lau.
"Good afternoon Mr. Lau sorry to bother you like this."
"Mr. McKay, I didn't expect to hear from you until your visit this weekend. What can I do for you?"
"I'm having trouble getting away to come for that much needed visit. Is there anyway we can do this over the phone?"
There is silence between us. I know this is a big deal. Culturally, I have to be on my best behavior. "Do you happen to have a few minutes now?"
"Mr. McKay…I don't have any of the board members here. This is very last minute."
"I know sir, I'm so sorry. It's just too hard to get away at the moment."
Mr. Lau sighs on the phone, I inform Lau of our bid, knowing it is higher than the other outdoor supply giants fighting for this new online platform.
"With all due respect, Mr. Lau, Patagonia can make this platform become more than just another social media site. Our plans to grow this far exceed anything we've ever done before." I tell him confidently. "I will give you time to consider my offer and you can talk to the other board members but you and I both know no other company can offer you what we're offering."
"McKay." Lau calls out over the phone, "The deal is yours."
I rejoice in the inside but keeping my cool. When it comes to business you never fist pump openly.
"On one condition." Lau continues. "We want Lander Walsh also."
"Lander Walsh?" I question, raising my brows at his absurd proposition. "Why?"
'We only do business with the best. You get Walsh on board, and it's all yours."
"I can't do that."
"I'm not understanding why? He helped in establishing your company. Invested in the European division. Surely, he would see the value in this takeover?"
What the hell am I suppose to say to this old fucker? Jim won't talk to me after I fell in love with his daughter, got her into my bed off and on for years, almost killed her in an accident that was completely my fault and promised to stay away from her? I highly doubt he'll agree to this, and frankly, I don't need him or his capital. We can fund this on our own.
"I need time." Is all I say.
"I'll give you time McKay, but first thing Monday morning, I want an answer."
My hand is clenched tightly to my phone. "Monday it is." I say and hang up not saying bye. I have no idea what to do about Mr. Lau and Jim. With how things are moving online, we need this platform. Our plan is to launch this in the States and it would be like no other launch ever. The platform is designed to become a viral trend, making Patagonia the number one outdoor and sports equipment in the country. But Jim…fuck, that is not in the cards. I some how need to convince the chairman to allow us to acquire the company without Lander Walsh Financial. As if I can ever work with Jim again, the guy loathes me.
The next two days sadly I don't see Brenda. I'm on and off the phone with Hong Kong, trying my best to sway them. Soon it's Friday and I send a quick text to Valerie that I'm coming. I grab my weekend bag I've had packed for days and give my driver the address to the house in Malibu.
Thirty minutes later, damn La traffic, I'm heading down a neighborhood with enormous homes. Jeffrey drives the car to a large property which appears to be overlooking the ocean.
It's huge, but nothing surprises me anymore. I've grown up around houses like this being from Beverly Hills even though this one exceeds them all. The irony is that despite my very wealthy bank account, I don't even have a place to call home. The Bel-Age isn't exactly home even though I've lived there off and on my whole life practically. My realtor had lined up viewings, but I canceled, unsure of what I'm even looking for.
With my weekend bag flung over my shoulder, I walk in through the grand entrance to see Valerie strolling toward me, wearing a coverup that's completely lace on top of a bright blue bikini.
Valerie claps her hands with a wide grin, "You made it."
"I did." I smile in return, allowing her arms to wrap around me for a hug. Valerie lets go and motions for me to follow her. "Wait…is Mrs. Walsh around?"
"Cindy? Yeah, I think she's in the kitchen." I don't know why I'm so formal, I've known the woman for over a decade.
"With or without Jimbo?"
Valerie smiles, "Without. Jim has been MIA so far, something about a merger."
UGH, had already called him? I try to push it out of my head. I follow Valerie through the long corridor until we arrive at the kitchen. Cindy is standing at the counter, with Maddie standing on a chair while she is cutting watermelon. Maddie is eating a piece and has watermelon juice dribbling down her chin. Her eyes light up when she sees me.
"Uncle Dylan!" She jumps down and I drop my bag to the ground before she jumps into my arms. I close my eyes and hug her.
"Oh Mads. You're getting so big."
"Where have you been?" She pouts as she leans away.
I kiss her cheek, "I know I know. Your godfather is a meanie. I've been working Mads. Can you forgive me?" I reach into the pocket of my shorts and pull out a lollipop. Hey it works every time.
She snatches it quickly, "Yes I forgive you!" She says happily hugging me again. I lower Maddie to the ground and my eyes meet Cindy. Before I can even think of how to apologize to the woman who is just as much as a mother as my own, Cindy wipes her hands on her apron before extending her arms out with a forgiving smile.
"Come here you."
I move forward where she stands and welcome her embrace. Even though I'm taller than her, her arms wrap around me so lovingly, as if she is still my protector despite being old enough to protect myself.
Our relationship changed at the end of Brenda and I's relationship. I didn't know if it was Jim's influence or Cindy's decision to keep her distance. In the end it didn't matter? I loved this woman like a mother and she had always had my back. I may have fucked up with drinking and that accident but I needed to mend the bridges I burned.
We both pull away and she continues to stare with sparkling eyes and unshed tears. "Let me get a good look at you." She says cupping my chin, "Very handsome and all grown up."
I laugh and I think I may blush a little, "How have you been?" She asks.
Her question, while polite, has more weight than anyone else's. Cindy is someone I've always trusted even if she didn't completely trust me. She's always encouraged me even when I felt I was a disappointment. So in this moment where vulnerability is at play because somewhere in this house is the only woman I have ever loved and still do, I let my guard down to the one person I know I can trust about my feelings for Brenda and this stupid engagement.
"How long do you have?"
Cindy caresses my cheek with her hand, knowing full well what I'm saying. "For you Dylan, As long as you need."
Ok Malibu is here! There are quite a few surprises in store. Next up Brenda's point of view of getting to the estate and some playful Dylan and Brenda. Hold on tight readers…things are getting good! And don't you worry…Austin is NOT out of the picture. Things can't go that easily right? Review, working on the next chapter now.
