Page 33 of The Heiress's First Date

“You know the rules. Your money’s no good here. Gimme the gossip.” He wiggles the fingers on both hands in a ‘gimme gimme’ motion.

I sigh and pretend to contemplate something truly salacious. But I’ve got nothing. No juicy tidbit from Ford. Definitely nothing I want to share about my mother.

“I’m about to go to brunch with Kingston’s sisters. I bet I’ll have something later.”

He smiles. “What about him?”

He nods toward Roman.

I tip my head to the left. “My bodyguard.”

Simon’s brows lift. “Paps?”

“Yeah.”

“And the two dreamy billionaires who paid for a date with you. Where are they?”

I shrug. “At work, I guess.”

He crosses his arms over his chest. “You guess?”

I just smile at him.

“You’re not going to tell me where you disappeared to this weekend?” He purses his lips slightly, trying to appear put out. I roll my eyes, and he laughs.

“If you must know,” I say in my most hoity-toity voice. “I was in the Hamptons.”

“Girl!” He grins and looks like he’s about to pump a fist. I didn’t realize he was so invested in my love life.

Then he looks me over. “I thought you looked extra glowy when you walked in.” He waves his hand in a sweeping arc, indicating all of me.

I lace my fingers. “Can I have my plant, please?”

He glances over his shoulder at the sad jade plant. “You can have her once I get her fixed up.”

“I was thinking a small one.” Where on earth am I going to put something almost as big as me? I don’t know why I’m trying to figure that out. Simon’s probably already got a spot in my apartment picked out. He comes over several times a month to make sure all my plant babies are happy and healthy. He’s their grand-human.

“You’ll take what I give you, sis.”

We burst out laughing. It’s a weird arrangement, I know. But it works for us. He treats me like a regular, average Jane. And in my world, that’s rare.

“Fine. Bring her over when she’s healthy.”

He nods. “Enjoy your brunch.” He lifts a hand to Roman. “Nice meeting you!”

13

KINGSTON/KATHERINE

KINGSTON: DO YOU HAVE A PASTA MACHINE?

Gabe: I don’t even know what that is.

Kingston: it helps make pasta. You know, the spiral shapes or the spaghetti noodles.

Kingston: you guys aren’t gluten intolerant are you?

Kingston: I guess I could do zucchini noodles.

---