Page 4 of Primary Season
My stomach dropped at the sound of her name. Right. Of course. Kathryn. Always Kathryn Van der Loon.
“What do you need me to take care of for you?” Energy coiled hot in my stomach, but I suppressed it.
“No, don’t jump to conclusions.” He put down the Diet Coke and lifted his hand. “This isn’t going where you think it is.”
I swallowed. “Meaning?”
“It’s no secret that Kathryn likes certain things. She’s a certain type of woman.”
I nodded. Kathryn was the young, rich, spoiled, aristocratic type of woman who always seemed like life had given her everything she’d wanted. She and I had nothing in common except Patrick Blanco.
“She’s a huge asset to you. Everyone knows the Van der Loons are the most well-connected family on the East Coast. You need that in an effort like this one.”
Patrick nodded. “I’m going to let you in on a secret, though.”
“I’m all ears,” I said, again wondering why he’d chosen so late to talk with me about his personal life. Couldn’t this have waited until the morning?
“Well…it’s fake.” He laughed once and shook his head a few times, as if saying this surprised even him. “The whole relationship is fake.”
I blanched. “What?”
“It’s an arrangement.” He exhaled. “And I’ve been wanting to tell you this for weeks.”
