Chapter 29

They stroll together along the beach and begin to share more about who they are. Brad holds onto Jane’s sandals so she isn’t burdened by them.

“So, tell me more about you, Jane,” he asks, pressing his hand against her back. She can feel the warmth from his hand go up her spine and she feels like she could lean back on him forever.

“Well, what do you want to know? I’ve told you how I got into ballet. I’m not sure what else there is to share,” she replies.

Nobody has ever really asked much about her before.

“What’s your favorite color. Wait, let me guess. Pink,” he says.

“Oh, cause all ballerinas wear pink, right?” she says.

“Well, yeah,” Brad jokes.

“Wrong. Purple. My favorite color is purple. I even painted my room purple, and got my first tutu in purple.”

“Wow, I’m glad I asked,” he said. “I would hate to buy you something in pink. Purple it is!” he notes.

“Let me ask you something. Do you always buy your friends,” Jane asks seriously. “I mean, is there anything more than money for you?”

Brad has to really think about this. All his life, people have been around him and he would either foot the bill or buy something so they would stay friends. He can’t really say he has ever had a friend who didn’t expect this of him. He just sees money as part of life, and everyone knows he has a lot of it. None of his friends are really down and out, either.

“Well, honestly, money just comes easy to me. Most of the people I know expect me to buy them something. It is kind of how I keep friends, I guess,” he says, analyzing this for the first time. “And most of the people I know make a lot of money, anyway.”

“So you have friends who are kind of like business transactions then,” points out Jane.

“Yeah, I guess you could put it that way.” Brad looks a bit disturbed. “Just like how my parents treated me,” Brad adds.

“I’m sorry, that was out of line. It just seems a bit sad, that’s all,” she says.

“No, you’re right, that’s exactly how it is,” says Brad. “As they say, it’s lonely at the top.”

Jane could feel this deep truth about Brad’s life. He really hasn’t had friends. Just people around him who like him for what he can offer them, not much more.

“Well, if it makes you feel better, I don’t have friends either. Most people who know me expect something of me, to be something for them that they want. I’m kinda sick of it now, to be honest,” Jane says openly.

“You know what, Brad. I’m going to give you a challenge. When you have an urge to give something to me, I want you to do something for me, no money involved. Just something that comes from inside of you, like writing a note, picking flowers, or… rubbing my feet,” she says in a cheeky way.

She side swipes him to show him she’s joking.

“Wow, you know, I think that might actually be hard for me, but I’m in,” Brad accepts, feeling like he’s moving into new territory with the relationship.

“Great. I want you to know there’s more to me than money,” assures Jane. “I actually like being around people who are decent and caring, you know? Not just rich.”

“Well, that will feel a bit foreign to me, Jane, I have to say,” he says. “But I like that about you. It’s refreshing.”

“Thanks. Can’t take the Utah outta the gal, you know,” she says, feeling more like herself now.

“So, tell me, Brad, what’s your favorite color? Wait, let me guess—black!”

“Ha-ha,” he says sarcastically. “No, actually, my favorite color is silver.”

“Silver? I don’t think I’ve met anyone who has silver as their favorite color,” she remarks. “Cause it’s like money?”

“Oh, you’re full of jokes today, aren’t you? No, because it’s meaningful, a metal that lasts a long time, and it’s shiny, like no other color in the spectrum.”

“So you always have to be different than the pack, eh?” she says.

“Wow, you really know how to psychoanalyze someone, don’t you? Underneath that sweet façade is a street savvy woman. Where did you learn how to read people?” he inquires.

“Well, because I’m a bit of an introvert, I’ve spent most of my time watching people. At school, I could see who the mean girls were, spot the cool geeks, and figure out the things that mattered to people. It’s my super-power, I guess. Thing is, no one took that much time to care about what mattered to me,” she reflected.

“I think we’re a lot alike, Jane,” Brad says, putting his arm around her. “Is it okay I do this?” he asks.

“Sure. It’s nice,” Jane says, snuggling into him a little closer.

They walk the length of the beach, then return to the hotel. Brad gives Jane her sandals as they step into the hotel lobby, only to be met by the manager. They step into the hotel lobby and the manager comes up to Brad.

“Sir, there is an urgent call for you. Your investment banker needs to contact you immediately,” the manager says.

Can you excuse me, Jane. This seems urgent and honestly, it may take a while. Can I meet you later for lunch? I’ll have my driver pick you up here at the front entrance and bring you to meet me,” he says.

“Yes, that’s fine. Good luck,” she says encouragingly.

Brad feels her softness penetrate into him. He finds her gentleness so touching.

“Thanks.”

He walks away and Jane goes to her room, laying on her bed with flutters in her heart.

As the fan spins over top of her, she feels the cool breeze coming through the curtains. Life feels good, easy, and light all of a sudden. She falls asleep and takes a nap for an hour, finding respite in simply trusting herself for the first time.