Page 51 of The Heiress's First Date

“You don’t strike me as a rom-com guy,” he adds.

“I don’t mind a romance.” Why do I sound so defensive? “But I like it better when it’s woven into a fantasy world.”

The corner of his mouth curls up, and I have to force myself to stay put. The way his blond hair curls over the tops of his ears is utterly distracting, and my fingers tingle, wanting nothing more than to sink deep.

“I would have guessed you were aStar Warsfan.” His green eyes sparkle as if he’s delighted by this newfound information.

I shrug. “I likeLord of the Ringsbetter.”

His attention drops back to his phone. “Never saw it.”

“What?” The word bursts from my lips. Or maybe my soul, I can’t be sure.

He chuckles and pockets his phone as the elevator levels out. “I guess we’ve found our movie.”

I glance at the watch on my wrist. “Too bad we don’t have time for a proper marathon.”

“How long is it?”

As we step off the elevator, I explain the difference between the theatrical version and the extended.

“It’s an extra two hours? That’s an entire movie.”

His incredulity makes me laugh, and damn, it feels good. I clap him on the shoulder and give him a little nudge toward the hall. “Come on, virgin.”

He stops. “Who you calling a virgin? You were there the other night.”

“When it comes to the masterpiece that isLord of the Rings, you’ve still got your V-card. Come on, I think you’ll like Legolas.”

I wave him in front of me as we enter the theater room. The furniture’s been moved back to its original position, but my mind immediately remembers it crowded together, creating a massive bed for the four of us.

Like me, King pauses. Is he remembering our night together? Feeling Katherine between us? I don’t know if I’ve ever felt more free. More like me.

He steps forward, trailing a hand along the back of the sectional, petting the soft fabric.

“Are you really okay with them going off together?”

He asks the question I’ve been pondering since Alex sent us that text. Since we looked at each other across the old faux wood table in Anthony’s Deli, searching each other for an answer.

Ultimately, we’d told Alex to go for it.

What else were we going to say? Anything short of ‘Have a great time. Bring us back a croissant and an Eiffel Tower paper weight.’ was sure to be the wrong answer. They’re our best friends.

I don’t even have to ask King because I already know his answer. Katherine’s happiness is everything to him. Just like Alex’s happiness is everything to me.

“We knew they were going to have their own date,” I say. “We all are.”

He nods, still not looking at me. The tension rises, and my heart rate picks up.

“What about you?” I ask. Is he not as into sharing as he wants Katherine to think he is?

That can’t be right. He was totally into it. Just like I was.

“Yeah, I’m okay with it. It’s just weird. Being here without her. She’s one of the only reasons I come back to New York. I could meet my family anywhere. My mom’s in Italy a few times a year. My sisters love Greece.”

He turns and leans back against the sofa, legs stretched out, hands resting by his hips.

My BS meter is quiet, not detecting anything amiss. But there’s definitely something he’s not telling me. Which isn’t surprising. We hardly know each other.

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