Page 26 of The Heiress's First Date

LaShonda: but yes. agreed. that shows his character.

LaShonda: but also, your ass is amazing and so are the girls. bet that went a long way in getting him to talk to you.

Katherine:zany face emoji

LaShonda: when are you going to see him again?

Katherine: No definite plans. But I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw him tonight.

10

KATHERINE

I’ll admit it.

I’m walking a little funny this morning. It was a scurry to get down to my apartment, shower, and dress, all while being careful with my well-used muscles.

If Roman noticed me moving more gingerly than normal when he picked me up, he hasn’t given it away, bless him. He hustles me onto the elevator in the Chanler & Cort building and hits the button for my floor. A handful of others crowd in with each floor we stop at.

Pulling my phone from my purse, I give in to the need to check in withthem. It’s our first group text.

Katherine: Thanks for an amazing night, even if I am walking funny this morning.

I grin as I imagine the look on their faces as they read my message.

Ding.

“Excuse me,” I say, squeezing between two middle-aged men.

I feel the heavy weight of people’s stares as I make my way to my office. What’s gotten into— oh. I forgot about the drone pictures.

My cheeks heat, but I lift my chin. The attention isn’t new, but the reason for it certainly is.

Somehow I doubt they’re whispering about the boss’s granddaughter anymore and instead are snickering about their coworker being dragged through the press.

Charlotte stands next to her desk as I walk up. She wiggles a finger around in the philodendron’s dirt to check if it needs to be watered. Inside, I preen a little, happy that I’ve spread my love of plants to those around me.

“Good morning, Charlotte.”

“Good morning, Miss Montgomery.”

She murmurs a hello to Roman. His deep voice rumbles back, her name sounding warm on his lips. I hide my smile and step into my office. I’ve got a full plate today and no time to let the outside world distract me.

Charlotte gathers a stack of notes and follows me into my office.

Maybe one day she’ll go paperless, but scraps of recyclable paper are the least of my concerns at the moment.

I circle my desk, vividly remembering lunch earlier in the week with Alex. A shiver races up the backs of my thighs. Yanking my thoughts out of that salacious gutter, I stow my purse and settle into my chair, determined to stay focused on work.

Charlotte goes over my schedule while I log into my computer. After pointing out the emails I need to respond to, she makes me a cup of tea and leaves the memos behind.

My phone chimes with a text from Ford. Smiling, I reach for my phone, promising myself this is the last distraction.

Ford: Come to Dad’s for Memorial Day weekend.

Hmm. Would the guys go with me? I want them to. I want to see Ford and Sutton... and even my dad. But I don’t know how to ask that without going into things.

Katherine: I’ll think about it.

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