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“Don’t you have a fashion empire to run, Mrs. Kensington?” Asher’s teasing voice interrupts.
I startle, having completely forgotten we’re standing in the middle of the hallway.
Scarlett tightens the belt on her coat before she glances over at Asher approaching us. It draws my attention down to her flat stomach. I wonder if she knows Crew mentioned the pregnancy to me.
He’s the convoy for most information between us, the source of what I hear about Scarlett and what she knows about me, and it’s belatedly occurring to me that our relationship could be more dimensional.
“Surprised to hear you mention hard work. I thought that was a foreign concept to you.” Scarlett sends Asher a sweet smile.
He chuckles in response. “Just here to keep Crew company while he takes over the world. He’s in a meeting with Arthur, at the moment.”
Something ugly and unpleasant curdles in my stomach. I should be used to getting cut out by now, but it stings every single time.
“I know,” Scarlett replies. But she’s not looking at Asher. She’s focused on me with an intensity that makes me think she noticed my reaction.
Crew has always tiptoed around unequivocally becoming our father’s favorite. I know it’s because he knows Candace is a touchy topic. Scarlett’s piercing gaze seems to see deeper than that, down to the other reasons it bothers me so much.
“Did you hear that Oliver is headed toVegas?” Asher chuckles, still finding the trip funny.
Scarlett nods, then glances at me. “Garrett Anderson’s bachelor party, right?”
“Right.” Crew is a more detailed messenger than I thought. I wasn’t expecting her to know that.
“You’re friends with Garrett Anderson?” Asher asks. He sounds surprised, and a little impressed.
“We went to college together,” I say.
Friends is a term that’s thrown around loosely among the elite. A way to signify alliances or hint at insider knowledge. Truly the personification ofkeep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Garrett Anderson is someone I actually consider a friend. Aside from Crew, he’s the one person I would attend a bachelor party in Las Vegas for. Asher was in charge of planning Crew’s bachelor party, and we ended up at a rock-climbing place. It was about as terrible as it sounds. Strippers and gambling aren’t my scene either. But Garrett called to invite me personally, so I agreed to go.
“You guys must be pretty close, if you’re flying to Vegas.”
“Chase planned it.”
“Wait. Chase…as inChase Anderson? The hockey player?” Asher asks. “You’re partying in Vegas with Chase Anderson?”
“Yep,” I confirm. “I suggested we go to a rock gym instead, but he thought that sounded lame.”
“Fucking hilarious, Oliver.”
Scarlett’s red lips twitch. I forgot she was at the start of Crew’s bachelor party. After she stormed out shortly after we arrived, Crew sulked for the rest of the night. Saying the “party” was a disaster is an understatement.
The elevator doors we’re standing next todingand open. My father steps out, with Crew right behind him.
They’re an intimidating pair. A king and his chosen heir. An emperor and his successor.
The only difference between them is that Crew’s stoic mask drops when he sees our small group, andScarlett, specifically.
My father’s stoicism never wavers. He’s never learned how to appreciate someone for more than how they benefit him. Not even a nod of acknowledgment is aimed our way. Probably because I’m part of the group.
“Get me updates on those projects by noon, Crew.” That’s all my father says before continuing down the hall toward the largest office on the floor.
“Okay,” is Crew’s reply to his retreating back.
He’s fully focused on Scarlett, who’s mouthing something to him that makes Crew grin and shake his head.
Crew looks to me next. My expression remains blank. I know exactly what he’s testing me out for, and I have no interest in reacting.
