Risk & Reward

Thirty-Four

"Okay, I do have a question for you actually." Shi laughs a bit nervously as Crystal climbs into the driver's seat.

"Ask me anything."

"Okay, we've been working together for five days now, and very professionally. Your husband's relationship to my boyfriend hasn't even come up."

"I didn't tell Michael I was working with you. I told him I was working with a new designer and I'd let him know how it goes. He doesn't know that the designer is you. I meant it when I said this is because of your work, not because you're dating Calum. The only thing he helped with was introducing me to your work inadvertently."

"Inadvertently?"

"Calum came over to ask Michael for advice about you in July; just after we got back to LA. We found your socials that way, and I kept going back to your design page trying to find a way to work with you, because your spaces were amazing." Crystal glances at her quickly, laughing as she pulls away from the house. "Don't give me that look. I doubt you could honestly tell me you've never stalked a friend's potential online to gain an understanding of who they might be."

"Okay, that's fair. And I guess answers the question I didn't get to ask. Calum was convinced I'd have met his entire band by now, so I was curious as to why I hadn't. But if they don't know I'm in town that makes more sense."

"They all want to meet you, too much even. But that's Calum's right to introduce you to them."

"But not you?"

"Eh, I found the loophole in that but hiring you. Plus, meeting you before them will work in their favor when they meet you, because I won't be as eager to yank you away. Maybe. You're actually way cooler than I anticipated. Full disclosure, the whole 'fan Calum met at Luke's show' made me nervous."

"That's incredibly fair." Shi laughs loudly. "Honestly I'd be worried too if I were you. It's honestly crazy, it's been a whirlwind few months and somehow Calum has become a sturdy and reliable place to center my life. It sounds crazy, but from the moment he spoke to me at Luke's show it just felt normal, right, like we'd always known each other. Some soulmate shit or something. Whatever it is, it definitely caught me by surprise. When he slid into my DM's the next day I truly thought I was dreaming and I never imagined it would turn out this way, not even in my dreams." She sighs, "Sorry, that wasn't professional, but it's true." 

"It's okay, and it's nice to hear the sincerity from you. Calum wears his heart on his sleeve and he's so far gone for you, it's nice to see that the feelings are just as strong the other way too."

"I'm a pretty open person, and probably would also be described as someone who wears my heart on my sleeve by those who know me. I lost my sister when I was seventeen and she was the loudest person, living life to the max everyday, unafraid to own her feelings and emotions, the good and the bad. I've tried everyday for the last ten years to emulate that and live my life like her." She adds the context when Crystal's eyes tighten slightly, looking concerned to Shi over her comment.

"Wow, you did not have to share that."

"I don't mind, talking about her isn't painful anymore. It's nice even, a reminder that I'm keeping her memory alive by sharing bits of her."

"I appreciate that, but please never feel like you have to justify yourself to me. Calum's an adult, even if we are concerned we can't make him not date someone. Good news for you though, I like the girl I've met and got to know this week." Crystal adds pushing a button on the dash that opens the gate to their current home as they pull up.

"I hope that the people in Calum's life choose to like me, but I'm not concerned with proving myself to people. I'm giving my honest self to what Calum and I have and eventually people will see that and accept it, whether they like me or not."