Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 15283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 15283 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 76(@200wpm)___ 61(@250wpm)___ 51(@300wpm)
I grab another flute of champagne as it floats by on a tray, then look at my watch.
What is too early for me to leave? I wonder.
“It’s good to see you, Daniel. I was going to reach out to you this week.”
Harold Weinberger’s rich baritone is unmistakable. Having been friends with both Ryan Stirling and Alex Winterbourne, I was well acquainted with Harold and several of the other trustees. Most people with money in New York had some kind of contact with one or more of them.
“Oh? What about?” I ask, trying to determine whether I have any upcoming deals with him and his group.
Harold smiles as he looks at the dancing couples, Alex and Emilee, plus Alex’s brother Ryan with his wife Carina.
“They sure look happy,” he says.
Today marks Emilee and Alex’s two-year wedding anniversary. Since their first wedding wasn’t ideal for either of them, they decided to renew their vows and celebrate with everyone they knew.
“Yeah, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Alex look so happy before,” I say. “And Emilee is positively glowing as usual.”
I glance around the rooftop party and see a few familiar faces, including Carina’s grandmother Lydia, with her shock of red hair, seated close to the dance floor. She’s deep in conversation with Emilee’s father, and clearly flirting with him.
“You know, you could be happy like that, too,” Harold says.
“What are you talking about? And what were you going to reach out to me about?”
“How old are you, Daniel? You’re younger than them, aren’t you?”
“Thirty-five. Why does that matter?”
Harold was beginning to frustrate and annoy me.
“Because maybe you’ve been thinking about your legacy. Maybe you’d like to have kids one day or a companion for the rest of your life.”
“Are you proposing to me, Harold? I’m a little old-fashioned; I’d like to see the ring first.”
Harold laughs. “No, of course not. I was just thinking that your tee time buddies are dwindling.”
“We still meet for golf.”
Harold lets out an annoyed sigh. “Dammit, Daniel, just listen to me then.”
“Okay, okay, you don’t have to get all riled up. You might want to cut down on the sugar or something.”
Harold growls. “You know we introduced Alex to Emilee, right? I’m sure Alex told you all about it.”
I nod, knowing Harold is referring to their arranged marriage. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t jealous sometimes seeing the relationship between Ryan and Carina, and Alex and Emilee. But I’m a firm believer that there’s only one person in the world for everyone. I had my chance with her already and that didn’t end well. I don’t want to go through that again.
Maybe an arranged marriage would work for me. Just cut the line and get married, figure everything else out later. Alex does seem very happy.
“Yes, he did tell me,” I say. “But Alex is very different from me.”
“That’s the beauty of it, we’re all different. Have you met Abe?” Harold points to an elderly man with a beautiful blonde woman.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“Come with me, and I’ll introduce you to him. I think you’ll like what he has to say.”