by Lisa Lace
Tapping her foot against the carpet, Jennifer considers the situation. “Tactics, Ethan. He’s trying to take your mind off the defense contract.�
“It’s working.�
“If he’s willing to lose money to steal a client, it shows how desperate he is. He knows that you’re a shoe-in with the Department of Defense.�
“He’s always been a backstabber.�
Jennifer is silent. She knows exactly how far back Vincent and I go.
I continue to vent to her, going over the same old story. “You know, when we first went into business together, and he told me not to worry about the patent, I trusted him. And that slimy fuck went and swapped our design for a corporate position. Left me broke while he took the fast-lane to the high life.�
“Look at how far you’ve come since, Ethan. He’s the one stooping to dirty tricks to compete with you now. You’re way ahead of him.�
I scowl. Vincent and I first met at Columbia University after we’d both enrolled in the same software course. We’d both come from Payson, Arizona. When we clicked as friends, it felt like fate was pushing us together. We inspired each other. We were convinced that our first app was going to be the making of a grand partnership.
Instead, only Vincent reaped the rewards. I trusted him to file the documents I’d signed, not knowing that my name would never appear on the final copies. I’d been stupid, young and naïve. He’d taken our idea and used it to get his foot on the first rung of the ladder to success. I’d trailed behind; it had taken me years to catch up.
“He’s never gotten over the fact that Steele Industries bought out his first startup.�
“You were out for blood when you took that company down, Ethan. You picked it apart like a vulture and then swooped in for the kill.�
“He deserved it.�
“When you play by the rules of ‘an eye for an eye,’ it never ends. One of you needs to stop trying to get one up on the other.�
“He’d love for me to back down. Fuck him, Jennifer. He knew why I came to Columbia. He knew where I’d come from. He was supposed to be my friend, and he betrayed me.�
Jennifer gestures around emphatically. “But look at all you have now. What is this rivalry worth to you? You’ve got nothing left to prove to him or anybody else.�
“I won’t stop until he’s got nothing left, the same way he left me.�
“Jesus Christ, Ethan! You were college kids. I know what he did was wrong, but this is turning into a vendetta—you pick off one of his companies, he steals one of your clients. He gives you some bad press, you steal one of his engineers. Where is all this backstabbing getting either of you?�
“He only got where he is today because of me.�
“Even if that’s true, maybe it’s time to let it go.�
“He’s not going to let it go. Sometimes you’ve got to fight fire with fire.�
Jennifer takes a patient breath and sits back. Eventually, she shrugs, accepting that I’m not going to back down. “What do you want me to do?�
“We can’t win back Bates without losing money. Let Vincent have him, but get in touch with Mason. I want to know what contracts Oswald Solutions is chasing. If Vince wants to play it like that, then I’ll bite.�
Frowning, Jennifer says her piece. “Ethan, I think Vincent is trying to push your buttons. He knows that if he does something like this, you’re going to react. While you’re trying to figure out how to hit him where it hurts, who knows what he’s up to? He could be talking with Hearly right now, for all we know. Is this worth your time?�
I don’t need another contract. Steele Industries is stronger than ever; I’m making money hand over fist. But rage burns deep inside me. Vincent betrayed me, and I refuse to see him steal from me again and get away with it.
I look around the bare walls of my new dorm. I’m in John Jay Hall, South Lawn, of Columbia University. Although I’ve only been here five minutes, I know I don’t belong. Regret gnaws at my core, telling me I’ve made a huge mistake.
I wonder how Lily is doing. Is she mad at me? Is she scared? Maybe she’s searching for me.
I push thoughts of her away and start to unpack. I don’t have much with me. I tried to leave all traces of Arizona behind. I have a few pairs of pants, some shirts, a few second-hand books I’ve managed to hunt down for my studies, and a single photograph of Lily.
There is a knock behind me. I turn and see my new roommate for the first time. He’s no taller than me, but appears stronger. He looks athletic and upper-class. I notice the designer logo on the chest of his polo shirt, his expensive haircut. He’s dark-haired, and when he smiles, I’m not sure if he’s had work done or was born with perfectly straight teeth.
He holds out his hand to me. “You must be my new roommate. I’m Vincent. Vincent Oswald.�
“Ethan.�
“Ethan?�
“Steele.�
“Pleasure to meet you. What’s the deal with you? Did you also leave it last minute to arrange your halls? Even my father couldn’t get me a single. He offered to pay for my own apartment off-campus, but I didn’t want to miss out on the college experience. You?�
I don’t want to admit that I couldn’t even afford this shared room. I have loans coming out my ears. I nod.
“Where are you from, Ethan?�
“Payson, Arizona.�
Vincent breaks out into a wide grin. “You’re kidding? Me, too! Small world, huh?�
“Funny we’ve never met before.�
He shrugs. “I didn’t spend much time there. I boarded in England. Eton. I only spent holidays in Arizona, and even then, not very much. We ski a lot.�
“Oh.�
I decide not to tell him that this is the first time I’ve left Arizona, or that I went to a public school.
Vincent casts his gaze around the room and then spots Lily’s picture on my bed. He crosses the room and picks it up. “Pretty. Your girlfriend?�
“Not anymore.�
“That sucks. Still, plenty of fish in the sea, right?�
“Mm-hmm.�
“What are you here to study?�
“Software engineering.�
He grins again. “I can see we’re going to be good friends, Ethan.� Vincent is not the usual type of guy I hang out with. He’s slick and polished. But he’s friendly. I’ve been a mess my whole life. Lily used to say I had a “rugged charm.�
When we chat further, I realize quickly that I could learn a lot from him.
“I think my family would have disowned me if I didn’t get into Columbia,� he tells me. “My father and his father came here.�
“I’m the first person in my family to get a college education. Thank God for scholarships and loans.�
Vincent looks surprised, but he pats me on the back warmly. “I know this place like the back of my hand. Don’t you worry—I’ve got your back. I’ll show you around and introduce you to the right people. You’ll get along just fine if you stick with me. Can I see your schedule?�
We compare our list of classes and find that we share most of them. Vincent starts giving me the low-down on each of the professors. No matter who’s on the roster, it’s someone that goes way back with the Oswald family. Vincent’s ancestry is practically part of the foundation of Columbia—and he’s offered
to take me under his wing.
Mom is gone now, and I’ve left Lily behind. It doesn’t matter where Vincent comes from or how much money he has in the bank. I could use a friend.
Jennifer returns.
“I’ve spoken to Mason. He’s got nothing. Vincent’s playing his cards close to his chest right now.�
“He knew I’d look into him.�
Fixing me with an earnest stare, Jennifer stands in front of me with her hands on her hips. When she speaks, her voice is soft and pleading. “This is what I’ve been trying to say to you, Ethan. None of this is about business. It’s all mind games and revenge. Rise above it, or you might lose something that matters.�
Lily
Chloe is breezing ahead. She looks back. I smile through a painful stitch in my side, my lungs burning. I like the idea of jogging, but the reality is something else. I thought I’d get time to look around at the trees and birds, maybe people-watch a little, but I’m out of breath and sweaty. I haven’t noticed anything around me at all. To top it off, my phone is buzzing in my armband.
I come to a stop, leaning on my knees to catch my breath. “Chloe, wait up!�
She stops and jogs back to me. “Everything okay?�
“Can I take a breather?�
“Sure.�
I nod toward a nearby picnic bench, and Chloe follows me. We sit down, and I can finally check my phone.
When I look at the screen, I see a little love-heart symbol has appeared in the top left. For a second, I’m confused, then I remember, and giggle.
“I’ve got a match.�
Chloe grins. “On Destiny? You did it? Oh my God, let me see!�
She leans into me and looks over my shoulder as I open the app I already downloaded. You have a match.
There’s a name, Vincent Oswald, and a picture. The photograph is a familiar face. Not anybody I know personally, but somebody I recognize.
Chloe’s expression is as confused as mine. “That can’t be the Vincent Oswald?�
Vincent Oswald is a household name these days. He is a technology tycoon, another billionaire, and a constant feature in women’s magazines and talk shows discussing the most eligible celebrity bachelors.
I look at his picture. He’s a classic stud: tall, dark and handsome. He has dark eyes that are so piercing, they seem to leap off the screen. I feel like he’s staring right at me.
In his photo, he’s wearing an expensive black tailored suit, showing off broad shoulders and a taut physique. His hair is styled to perfection. He’s smiling, and his grin is full of charisma. He’s enigmatic—even his picture makes me flush.
I laugh it off. “There’s a stock image photo if I ever saw one. What kind of egomaniac makes his dating profile picture a business shoot? It looks like he’s applying for a job, not looking for a girl.�
Chloe giggles with me, and takes the phone from my hand to squint at his image. “It can’t be him anyway. No offense, Lily—you’re amazing, but Vincent Oswald doesn’t need to use a dating app.�
I wave away her apology. “None taken. It’s obviously a hoax. So much for Ethan’s top-notch security.�
“What does his profile say?�
“‘A fun, successful businessman looking to find equal fulfillment in his personal life.’�
Chloe bursts out laughing, throwing her head back and shaking. “Are you serious? That sounds like an advertising tagline. That’s the most superficial opener I’ve ever heard in my life.�
“Probably because it’s been written by some bot.�
“I doubt it. More likely some sap who’s trying to trick a girl into going on a date.â€�
“You’re saying, according to Steele Industries, my soulmate is a scammer?�
She’s giggling uncontrollably again. She rubs my back apologetically. “Oh, Lily—you do have bad luck in dating. Can you re-submit your profile and try again?�
“No, and I wouldn’t want to. God, how hard is it to find one decent guy out there?�
“Did they fill out the other fields? Go on, we have to read it. This is too hilarious—a con-artist’s best attempt to get into the mind of a billionaire.�
I grin. As much as I’m disappointed, there is something funny about imagining some desperate singleton trying to put themselves in the shoes of Vincent Oswald.
“‘Likes: sailing, fine art, and digital technology. Dislikes: dogs, heights, and romantic comedies.�
“Our scammer has certainly stretched himself with those guesses.�
“I can’t imagine that Vincent Oswald likes digital technology at all.�
“Loathes it.�
“Probably dries his tears with hundred-dollar bills.�
Chloe grins and looks over my shoulder to read through the list again. “You’re not a dog-lover either, though, are you?�
“Always been a cat person.�
“Vincent likes fine art—something else you have in common.�
“Except this isn’t Vincent Oswald,� I remind her, putting my phone away.
“It would be nice to dream though, wouldn’t it?� Chloe leans back on the table and looks up at the sky with a wistful gleam in her eye. “You know, Oswald is from Payson, too. We’re nothing more than a breeding ground for billionaires.�
“Except they don’t stay here to make their millions. They all sneak off to New York.�
Chloe smiles knowingly. “Sounds like you might be talking about a different billionaire there.�
“When I knew him, Ethan was as broke as I was. Whoever he is now, I don’t know him anymore.�
“Forget him. The billionaires are lining up for you now.�
I laugh and give her a playful shove. “It’s a hoax. The first message I get will probably tell me that his assets have been tied up by the banks, but if I can give him a hundred dollars to release the funds, he’ll transfer me a million dollars as a thank you.�
“And what would you do with a million dollars?�
“Travel.� I begin to list off destinations on my fingers. “New Zealand. Russia. India. Then Thailand, Vietnam. I want to see the Grand Canyon and Machu Picchu. I want to see it all.�
As I tell her about my dreams, sadness twists in my stomach. Once, I had shared those dreams with Ethan. After he left, I lost my courage to go alone. Over the years, there were times when I’d thought about dropping everything and taking off, but I soon realized that Ethan was right: you have to invest in dreams, and I had nothing to offer.
“Maybe Vincent will take you.�
I laugh, but it’s a hollow sound. “Maybe.�
“Wouldn’t it be amazing to never have to worry about money again? For everything to be laid out for you? A handsome man to pick up the tab. You could live without limits.�
I shrug. “Money’s not everything. It causes more problems than it solves, and there’s nothing fair about some people having it all when others have to count every dime. In my experience, money turns dreamers into cynics.�
“Money makes the world go around, Lily. We’d all like to spend a little more time with our heads in the clouds. I always wanted to go to a monastery somewhere, and learn to meditate from the experts. Practice yoga in the mountains. Who knows, without bills to pay, maybe I’d have found enlightenment.�
She’s smiling wryly. She’s joking, but only partially. Like
me, Chloe is a free spirit. She would give it all up to chase the dream—if life would just give her the chance.
Ethan is talented, but he doesn’t see it.
I stand at the window in the floaty white dress he picked out, and try to maintain the pose, looking dreamily outward with a wistful smile, like he asked me to.
Ethan is glued to his canvas, intensely painting with oils. He’s been working on this portrait all year. Every time I think we’re nearly there, he shows up with a blank canvas to start again. He wants to get it exactly right.
I giggle and break from the scene. “You must be nearly finished, Ethan! This is, like, your hundredth portrait of me by this window.�
He peers around the edge of the canvas, biting down on his lip and grinning at the same time. He has a boyish charm about him, but the man in him is starting to emerge. His jaw is becoming squarer, stubble starting to grow. His shoulders have broadened. He’s growing up before my eyes. It’s almost time for the both of us to set out on those adventures we’ve been waiting for.
He flicks his paintbrush in my direction, and speckles of gray rain down on me. I laugh and try to wipe the marks away. “Ethan! You’ll spoil the dress. My sister will kill me if I get paint on it.�
“Hold still then.�
“Why this picture? Why this pose? I feel like I’m a damsel in the frickin’ Renaissance.�
“Because it’s you. When you’re standing there in the sunlight with your hair shining, and all that dreaminess in your expression, it’s exactly right. I will always remember you precisely like this.�
I feel my heart flutter. There’s a romanticism in Ethan that only comes out when he’s deep in a creative pursuit. Every now and then, that artist shows himself, and I get weak in the knees. “Doesn’t your mom think you’re working at the store tonight?�
“She’d kill me if she knew I quit.�
“Maybe it’s not too late to get it back again.�
“I don’t want it back. That job was killing me. I know money’s tight at home right now, but my mom needs to understand that this is who I am. I’m always going to be this way—taking life moment by moment, and not wasting a second of it in the rat race. The best things in life are free.�