Page 29 of The Heiress's First Date

Ava: it’s everywhere

I groan, which makes Roman check on me in the rearview mirror. I shoot him anI’m okaysmile. But I don’t really feel okay. At some point the Ferris wheel has to stop so I can get off, right?

Katherine: it might have just cost me my job.

Mel: WHAT????

Katherine: My mother showed up with the head of HR.

Soph:face with symbols on mouth emoji

Mel: That’s awful. It’s not your fault paps are cretins.

Katherine: Tell me about it.

Frustration burns in my chest. I want to run and just keep on running. Run until the last two months make sense. But I also want to hit something. Hard. The image of the punching bag at the gym swims before my eyes.

It’s quickly followed by the memory of Gabe and Alex sauntering over, looking deliciously sweaty. Even through my rage, my attraction simmered. How was that less than a week ago?

I slump back, resting my head against the headrest. These gorgeous shoes didn’t even get half a day’s wear. But they sure did sound nice stalking across the floor.

My phone vibrates again.

Mel: What can we do?

Ava: we’d boycott the bank, but we did that ages ago.

They’d really lose their shit if they knew about the stipulations of the trust.

So why am I not losing mine? Three names and oodles of orgasms come to mind.

Soph: how about brunch? Meet you at the club in an hour?

Girl time sounds amazing. But the thought of going out in public right now sends a bolt of dread through me.

Mel: I’m in.

Ava: Me too.

Ella: I’m still in LA.crying face emoji

Mel: come home!

The club isn’t exactly public. But how much do you want to bet one of my mom’s friends will be there? Ten grand says she’d give me a disapproving look.

Ava: Come on, Kate. We haven’t gotten to bug you about the auction details yet.

Oof. I should have known that was coming. But I really don’t want to rehash that. It sounds more glamorous than it was.

Still, my tummy tingles at the memory of Gabe’s eyes locking with mine across the ballroom. The way my skin sizzled under Alex’s survey. At the time, I was trying to stifle the anxiety of being on stage in front of a crowd. But the attraction and awareness were there.

I drop my phone to my lap and glance out the window. The sidewalk shimmers in the morning sun. It’s going to be a hot one.

King mentioned lunch with a friend.

“Roman, could I make a quick stop?”

There’s one thing that’ll make me feel better. Girl time will help, but a trip to my favorite plant store will be the balm my soul needs.

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