Page 46 of Daring Destiny
I drop my keys in the key-bowl—an item I didn’t realize existed until a week ago—and run my hand along the cool marble surface of the kitchen island. A couple months ago, I would’ve collapsed into whatever chair was closest with a stack of papers and my laptop.
At least this new condo feels like a reset. Somewhere I can relax and unwind and escape the stress of my daily life. It won’t be the same when she goes back, but at least her little touches are everywhere to remind me of how lucky I am.
With her by my side, everything feels different. Lighter.
We’ve gotten into a rhythm, in the best way. She’s filled my life with her boundless energy and steady sense of control. We wake up, make love, have breakfast at the café downstairs together and sometimes take a short walk before I go to the office.
She gives me space during the day, but I’m always home by seven for dinner. We either grab a bite out or she plates takeout. Nights are spent fucking like banshees and afterward, we wrap up together in a blanket and watch episodes ofBelow DeckandLove Island.
Then we fuck some more. Like we’re making up for lost time.
I’ve learned a lot about balance from Astrid by living with her. My life is so much better for it. I don’t want her to go home. I might slip into old habits.
I scrub my face with my hand, feeling the weight of it all start to creep in. She’s been my calm in the storm, but the storm isn’t stopping anytime soon. I’m not sure what I’m gonna do without her.
“B?” Astrid’s voice cuts through my thoughts as she walks out of the bedroom wearing my t-shirt, her hair loose around her shoulders. “You home?”
“Yep.” I give her a little wave.
With one quick assessment, she knows something’s weighing on me. “What’s wrong?”
“Same old shit.” I tilt my head. “Yet, strangely different.”
“Ugh.” She slides her arms around my waist, leaning her head against my shoulder. “Want to talk about it?”
I kiss her temple and breathe in her peachy shampoo for a second. “The board’s officially relocating the company to Palo Alto. The IPO is full steam ahead. And, they’ve made it clear they don’t want me to leave.” I pull away and sit at the counter. “Apparently, they want to reshape me. Give me media training so I can travel around the world and make PR appearances. I guess the new plan is to mold me into the CEO they think is publicly presentable, not the one I am. So, it’s not about building the technology anymore. I’m supposed to officially transition into a talking head.”
“Oh, God.” She covers a smile with her hand. “Sounds like your perfect job—not!”
“You have no idea. They’ve hired a legal and finance team to manage the IPO and I’m supposed to fall in line, do the interviews, smile for the cameras, and be something I’m not.” I shake my head woefully.
Astrid strolls to the small wine fridge and grabs two glasses and a bottle of red. Uncorks it and pours us each a glass. She hands it to me. “Well, can you say no?”
“I’m not sure.” I shrug and take a sip. “At least they’re not forcing me out, which is what I figured today’s meeting would be about.”
She nods and bites her lip, sussing what to say next. “But...you could say no, couldn’t you? Focus on something you like better. Like the creative side?”
“No.” My frustration bubbles up and the word comes out harsher than I planned. “It’s not that simple. I’m tied to CognifyAI—financially, legally. On paper, I’m essentially a billionaire, but I’ve never given myself a big salary. Never sold any of my shares. I’m not sitting on a pile of cash and an IPO could be the key to financial freedom. I’ll have to suck it up for a bit.”
Astrid folds her arms as she leans against the counter. “Have you talked to the financial manager yet?”
“Not yet,” I admit, shaking my head. “I need to. I’ve been putting it off until I go back to Seattle.”
“Brennan...” Astrid takes out a charcuterie board she must have bought this afternoon and places it in front of me. “Please do. You’ve built an empire. It’s time you figure out your finances so you’re not at the mercy of the board.”
Her advice is so needed. It’s hard to believe this thing I’ve built has spiraled into something I can’t fully control. “I know.”
We stand there for a moment, the weight of everything hanging in the air between us. It’s been so easy with her here. Just the two of us. She grounds me to the point where pressure of work doesn’t gnaw at the back of my mind all day and all night. Astrid’s my calm. My balance.
And…she’s heading back to Seattle in two weeks and I can’t imagine how I’ll live my life without her here.
“You’ve changed things for me.” I move behind her and take her in my arms. “Living with you…I’m gonna miss you so much when you go home.”
“We’ll figure it out. I’m not gone yet.” She smooths my hair down with her palms.
I shake my head. “I don’t want to go back to the way things were. It’s not just the condo. It’s everything. You’ve made me realize how unbalanced my life was.”
Astrid brushes an errant strand of hair away from my forehead. “You’ve balanced me too, you know. I’ve never had this before, B. Someone who makes me feel like I’m more than what I look like.”