Page 22 of The Heiress's First Date

Whatever his story is, it’s obvious that he was hurt. Deeply. While my grandfather’s pride might have just been wounded. A superficial cut.

Gabe straightens, staring at me for another moment, and then looks away.

“He showed up at my school one day, just like you see in the movies. Dark car. Sunglasses. A driver. The whole bit. I knew who he was because I read every financial magazine and newspaper article I could get my hands on. He was a giant in the banking industry and I wanted in.”

The awe in his voice is unmistakable. I know the feeling. Meeting someone you’ve read about. Someone untouchable. It’s incredible. Akin to meeting a favorite author or a movie star, I suppose.

“He was so complimentary. Took me out to lunch. I was enamored. Here was this titan of the industry, and he was interested in me and my fledgling company. The fact that he wanted my opinion floored me. He flew me to New York. I’d never been on a plane before and there I was on a private jet. I was meeting people, and it was all so amazing. Like the world was finally welcoming me. Embracing me. He took me to my first polo match. Sent me to his tailor.”

Gabe’s voice cracks. Tears burn my eyes, and my nose aches with unshed tears.

“I soaked it up. It was like having a grandparent who understood me. Believed in me. I’d never had that before. And he just kept reeling me in. He said he had an apartment he never used, so I should give up my dorm. And, of course, his place was way nicer. I didn’t have to share a bathroom, and it was quiet. I could think. I could work.”

I curl closer, tumbling down memory lane with him. My grandfather so rarely showed me his charming side. It’s easy to see how a young man who was desperate for attention and praise could fall prey to a devious man.

“By that point, the company was popping off. I had to make some hard decisions, and it was rapidly becoming too big for me to do alone. I needed resources and help. And I had school. It was a lot.”

Oh gosh. I see where this is going.

I know I need to hear the rest. To hear him out. To learn the truth. But I don’t want to. I want to kiss him and keep on kissing him. To wash away those memories. Replace them with good ones.

But there’s no washing away this kind of betrayal.

My grandfather tucked Gabe under his wing.

Made him feel like he belonged.

“What happened?”

“He wanted me to sign some paperwork. To make my living in his apartment legal. I’d never heard of something like that before, but by that point, I trusted Henry. If I needed to sign something to keep everything on the up and up, hand me the pen. But the courier—or whatever he was—didn’t have a working pen. He seemed like he was in a rush, and he didn’t want to leave it with me. So I waved him inside and went hunting through the junk drawer. Thank goodness for that crusty ballpoint pen. It gave me just enough time to get curious about the stack of papers because it was awfully thick for a housing agreement. So, I started reading the document. There were parts I didn’t understand, but the part where I would be signing away thirty percent of my company? That was pretty fucking clear.”

9

GABE/KATHERINE

“Promise me this isn’t going to get weird between us,” I say, thrusting the basketball at Alex’s chest.

He dribbles it twice and then makes his shot. It spirals around the rim and drops through the net.

“Why would it get weird?”

I lift a shoulder. I couldn’t sleep last night, which is nothing new. And spilling my guts to Katherine? That part was unexpected. But cathartic. I love the way she never stopped touching me. Comforting me. Her quiet curiosity had pried the information out more easily than a crowbar.

But her fury when she found out what her grandfather had done?

I didn’t realize it would mean so much to me, not only to have her eagerly listening but also to feel her anger. It’s so different from all the times when she’s been utterly emotionless, a block of radiant ice.

Alex props the ball against his hip and gives me his full attention. I tell him about my midnight conversation. He doesn’t seem the least bit surprised by Katherine’s reaction.

Before her, he was the only one I confided in. Now we’re both involved with her. There was a moment last night when my heart felt like it would explode.

I got the girl, but he’s always been the one I wanted. Of course, I keep a tight rein on it. I’m not that big of an asshole. I’d never pressure someone into a relationship. But in the heat of that moment, it was way too easy to blur the line. To look at my best friend and have my guard drop.

I’m terrified to ruin two decades of friendship.

What if I can’t keep my feelings under wraps when the three of us are together? It’s like she’s a conduit or something. I forget how to use my “you are not in love with your best friend” face.

We’ve always been solid, but things change, right?

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