Page 44 of The Heiress's First Date

“Really?”

I look at her then. She really doesn’t understand the hold she has over me. I grab the base of her chair and pull her closer, then drape my arm over the back of it. She sinks into the shelter of my arm, completely relaxed.

“Really. You were wearing a stunning black dress. Strapless.”

“What was I wearing?” LaShonda asks, sitting back in her seat. There’s a hint of ‘gotcha’ in her tone.

I’m glad Katherine has someone like LaShonda in her corner.

“You were wearing yellow. A one-shoulder dress and sky-high heels.”

LaShonda’s brilliant red lips twitch, and she offers me a stunning smile. “He’s good.”

Katherine runs a hand down my thigh, leaning closer. “I couldn’t agree more.”

The server returns with our drinks, and LaShonda orders a handful of appetizers before returning her attention to her best friend.

“So, what are you guys doing for Memorial Day?” LaShonda asks, reaching for her wine.

I feel Katherine’s glance like a caress against my cheek.

“We haven’t talked about it yet. Are you still going to the Cape?”

“That’s the plan.”

“I have an invite from my father. Ford and Sutton will be there.”

I glance around the rooftop out of habit but also because there’s a new awareness I’ve never felt before. It’s deep and personal and tinged with anxiety. But also excitement. Being out in public with Katherine feels real in a way I hadn’t expected. No one’s paying attention to us. There are no drones overhead. No one snapping photos with a cell phone.

But it feels like a real date. Like a declaration. And I underestimated just how much I’d like that.

“Do you want to see him?” LaShonda asks, and I get the impression she’s not talking about Ford or Sutton.

“I think I do, actually.” She turns to me. “Do you have plans for Memorial Day?”

“Gabe and I usually hop down to Canouan for the long weekend, but?—”

“Nice,” LaShonda says appreciatively.

How do I tell Katherine I’d rather be wherever she is?

17

KINGSTON

The sun dips toward the horizon as we land at the heliport in the city. Gabe’s been quiet and thoughtful since we left his house, which suited me just fine because I couldn’t get that gleaming white yacht out of my head.

Is that the answer?

No skyscrapers with their never-ending elevators. Endless places to explore. Every luxury Katherine could want and many she wouldn’t care about.

While I love my little sailboat, it’s always been a solo experience. There’s room for two, but it’s tight and not comfortable for more than a week-long visit. The right yacht would have all the amenities we could need to get away... or hide out in plain sight.

And if it had a helipad, we could come and go as we please, docking in places we otherwise couldn’t fit.

Excited by the idea, I pull out my phone and navigate to the group text.

Kingston: Do you guys get seasick?

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