Page 34 of The Heiress's First Date

Gabe: zucchini noodles?face with a raised brow emoji

Kingston: or spaghetti squash...

Gabe: what the hell is spaghetti squash?

Kingston: not gluten intolerant, I take it.

Gabe: no.

Kingston: you could have just said so.

Gabe: and miss this vegetable education? Not a chance.

Kingston: so no pasta machine, huh?

Gabe: you’re lucky we have a can opener.

Kingston: roger that.rolling on the floor laughing emoji

I’ve seen his kitchen, though. He has far more than a can opener if the espresso machine is any indication. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a private chef on retainer.

I brave the elevator, scrolling through the latest funny videos Katherine sent, and wave to the guys at the front desk. Outside, it’s partly cloudy and breezy, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it rains later. That’ll be nice. Rain slows everything down, sending people inside. I might be claustrophobic, but I don’t hate the idea of being trapped with Katherine.

I shouldn’t shop hungry, though, or I might end up buying half of William Sonoma. Since the home goods store is close to Katherine’s office, I shoot her a text.

Kingston: hey, I’m coming down your way. Wanna grab lunch?

Excitement buzzes through me when I see three dots bouncing along the bottom of the screen. It’s such a silly thing, but I secretly live for her attention.

I guess it’s not such a secret anymore.

Katherine: I’d love to, but I just sat down for brunch with your sisters.

Brunch?

On a workday?

I double-check the date and time on my watch.

Kingston: tell them I said hi.

Good for her. It’s not that I want her to skip school, so to speak, but I’m glad she’s doing something to make herself happy. As wild as the last few days have been for me, I know they’ve been far tougher for her.

She hides it well, but down deep, she’s always been a sensitive soul. I love that she’s close to my sisters. They adopted her as an honorary Saint years ago. My chest tightens. While I appreciate that my family has always been there for Kat, been good to her and shown her what a family should be like, I hate that her relationship with her parents has been so rocky.

A cab careens around the corner, and I step back onto the sidewalk as my fellow pedestrians shout and raise their fists.

New York. Wouldn’t be a normal day if you didn’t see your life flash before your eyes.

My gaze lifts to the buildings. So familiar and yet so foreign.

How long until the unease sets in? The itch to get away and travel. I haven’t felt a single twitch yet aside from the love/hate relationship with the elevator.

With the coast clear, I jog across the street amid a crush of others.

What could be a bigger adventure than falling for the girl of your dreams? And this. . . situationship with Alex and Gabe? That’s definitely keeping things interesting.

My phone gives a trilling chime. Haven’t heard that sound in a while. After making sure I won’t plow anyone over, I check the notification. It says Katherine is close by.

---