Page 76 of The Heiress's First Date

She huffs a sigh, and I slouch deeper into the couch. “Be straight with me, Kingston. Now isn’t the time to play the aloof professor.”

God, she really does know me too well.

“Why is this difficult to talk to me about? You know I love you and support you.”

She’s right. Of all my sisters, she’d be the least shocked to discover my attraction to Gabriel. Hell, she’s probably suspected already.

“It just is.”

“Because it’s not conventional.” She nods as if that explains everything, then reaches for her bowl, slurps a noodle in a way that would send our mother to an early grave, and pegs me with a steady look. “Fuck conventional, King. If it’s not making you happy, then fuck it.”

29

KINGSTON

She’s right.

I know she’s right.

Hell, that’s always been a personal motto of mine.If it doesn’t make you happy, screw it.

But hearing the vehement reminder from my little sister makes me sit up straighter. Our world has always been a kaleidoscope of privilege and duty. Expectation and indulgence. My siblings and I think our parents walked a fine line between giving us the best but expecting us to do well and not succumb to the pressure cooker that is business in New York City. Which is a blessing given how large our family is and how vast the businesses are.

“You’re right.”

She shoves my shoulder and gives an evil snicker. “Of course I am. Have you met me?”

“How’d you get to be so wise?” When I was little, I desperately wanted a brother. But it wasn’t meant to be, and now, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

My sisters are smart and talented in so many ways that I’ll never be.

“I learned from the best.”

I bump my shoulder against hers, feeling better. Like the sand has stopped shifting beneath my feet. I mean, I’m sure the undertow will still be there in the future, threatening to drag me down, but I’ll deal with them then.

The little robot voice interrupts and Ava frowns at my pocket. “What was that?”

“Gabe’s text sound.” I guess he’s finally got a response to mylook who’s alivecomment.

Her lips twitch. “What’d he say?”

“I’ll check it later,” I say, even though my skin is on fire with the need to pull out my phone.

“Mom’s not here. No one’s going to slap you for checking your texts during dinner,” she says, shaking her head. Then she leans in like we’re sharing a secret. “Especially if it’s from Gabe.”

I release a slow sigh. It feels good to have someone in on this secret with me. I should probably have cleared it with the others first before sharing. It’s a big deal. But the label feels right and I like having it there in the back of my mind. Just like I like having my sister’s approval.

Poly.

There’s a gravitas to the word polyamorous that foursome just doesn’t have. Foursome feels like it’s all about sex, but what I want with Katherine is so much more than that. I’ll have to examine that later because I’m already reaching for my phone to see what Gabe said.

Gabe: the news of my death was premature.

Oh hell, that’s funny. I even hear his voice in my head.

Lips twisting, I type back.

Kingston: everything okay?

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