Page 37 of The Heiress's First Date

“I know.”

“For how long?”

I shrug. Honestly, I’ve got bigger issues than my job at Chanler & Cort.

“I can’t believe she created this mess, and she’s making you the fall guy.”

“Can’t you, though?” I can one thousand percent believe it.

Everyone falls silent because we all know the truth. They’ve lived it with me.

“I mean, yeah, I guess I can.”

“Totally,” Mel says.

“What are you going to do?” Ava asks.

There’s a lightness in me I’ve never felt before. Freedom? Something. Something addictive.

“For now, whatever I want. Brunch with friends.” I smile at them.

“That can’t be legal,” she murmurs.

“When has that stopped her?” When it comes to rules, my mother is very much her father’s daughter.

King crosses his arms over his chest. This isn’t over for him. That’s the sign that his stubborn streak is about to come out. I slide my hand up his thigh and give him a reassuring squeeze.

“There are worse things in the world. This isn’t anywhere near the top of the list. We all know that. So let’s just forget about my family’s drama and enjoy our day, okay?”

“You shouldn’t have to ignore it. They shouldn’t start it,” he grumbles, hand covering mine.

I give a sad laugh. “I think it’s too late for her to change.”

As the words leave my lips, a thought pierces through the fog. It might be too late for my mom to change, but it’s not too late for me to change.

Kingston

After I say my goodbyes and give Katherine a forehead kiss that has my sisters gasping, I head out, leaving them to gossip and do whatever else girls do at brunch.

I reach for my phone, look up the nearest smoothie spot, and head in that direction. I could have stayed and ordered with them, but I wasn’t exactly invited. Besides, the pasta’s not going to make itself.

Stabbing the text icon with my thumb, I change the group text name again. This time to Three Guys and a Lady.

Lips twitching, I send them a text.

Kingston: I fucked up.

14

ALEX

ALEX: WHAT HAPPENED?

Gabe: Did you buy spaghetti squash? I looked that up and it’s just weird.

Kingston: what? No.

Kingston: that picture of Kat and I on the roof? The board wants her out of Chanler & Cort.

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