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Chase flips him off.
I glance between them. The Andersons are old money. But Garrett is a self-made multi-millionaire, thanks to the tech company he founded after college. And Chase plays hockey professionally.
Maybe that’s why they have such a different sibling dynamic than Crew and I do. We both went into the family business, working for a father who thrives on manipulation. We have too much common ground in some ways and absolutely none in others.
As Chase and Garrett continue to banter back and forth, it’s noticeable to me in a way it never has been before. I’m comparing it to my conversation with Crew last night, bothered by the many differences.
“Your old man doesn’t believe in a Friday night off?” Edmund Lee asks from my left.
When I glance over, he’s smiling. It’s the guarded, hesitant one I’m accustomed to seeing aimed my way.
Most people are either intimidated or intrigued by the Kensington name, and Edmund’s expression says he’s the former. He works at Garrett’s tech company as a high-level executive, meaning he would be the wealthiest and most successful person at every table in here…except ours.
“Business doesn’t sleep,” I respond, opening up my menu and scanning the cuts of meat listed.
I took the work call for a couple of reasons. One, I was the only one who could answer the question since I’ve been handling that contract personally. Two, it was a reprieve from the chaotic debauchery that started as soon as I met up with the rest of the bachelor party attendees. Aside from Garrett, no one had much confidence I’d be here, based on the amount of surprise that greeted my arrival.
“That’s true.” Edmund chuckles. “Rumors are going around that you’re negotiating with Thompson & Thompson.”
I close the menu, having decided on the New York Strip with a peppercorn rub. That pharmaceutical company was partly what the call was about, so my expression is carefully blank as I look at Edmund. “Kensington Consolidated negotiates with a lot of companies.”
Edmund studies me, clearly looking for some signal. My expression remains carefully blank. If Edmund is smart, he should buy some stock.
“Is your father still deliberating on the next CEO?”
“Yes.”
If Edmund is trying to annoy me, he’s doing a damn good job.
But his voice is all curiosity, not malice. The passing of power at companies like Kensington Consolidated is usually predetermined, like a line of succession in royal families. From the age I understood the concept of leadership, I should have been working toward taking on the CEO role. But even back when I was the firstborn son engaged to the billionaire bride, long before Candace, he never handed it over. That title was always dangled just out of reach. He wanted me to keep working for it. He wanted Crew prepared for the position too.
I reach forward and grab my water glass, hoping that will be the end of the conversation with Edmund. And that I won’t need to answer that same question five more times tonight.
While my father might have fun teasing business associates about how he has too many good options to succeed him and how he hopes retirement is a long way off, everything was decided in his mind as soon as the agreement between him and Hanson Ellsworth changed from me and Scarlett to Crew and Scarlett.
Being born two years earlier was nothing in comparison to being half ofthepower couple. If America had royalty, they’d be crowned king and queen. That kind of interest and charisma is gold when you’re asking people to do business with you.
And if I ever had any prayer of convincing my father that Crew could still be the face of the company while I claimed control, it disappeared the moment he found out about me and Candace. He might not have loved her, but my father is the proudest man alive. Trust is paramount, and betrayal is unforgiveable.
But officially announcing Crew as CEO isn’t as much fun for him as vague comments, so the rumors about who will take charge of Kensington Consolidated next continue swirling. And there’s another reason my father won’t officially announce his successor: he loves watching me squirm when people ask about it.
“I like Crew. But it should be you. From what I hear, you’ve earned it five times over.”
Edmund’s reasoning is unexpected. I know it wasexpectedI’d be CEO. But no one has ever told me it wasearned. And there’s a big difference between the two paths to success.
“Thanks.” I force a smile and sip some water, trying to hide how uncomfortable his unexpected comment made me.
The waitress arrives then, ending all the side conversations as we place our orders. Once she leaves, Chase launches into another run-through of the weekend plans. It’s obvious he spent a lot of time planning this trip. Chase knows the schedule without even looking at his phone, running through everything he has planned for the weekend in extensive detail.
Garrett laughs and shakes his head through most of it.
Service is fast. Chase reaches the end of his list right as our food arrives. My stomach grumbles as a plate of browned meat is set down in front of me, steam rising in curled ribbons. I skipped lunch to get as much done at the office as possible before leaving for the airport, so I’m starving.
Edmund strikes up a conversation with Levi Gamble while I dig into my dinner. Levi’s great-grandfather started a department store chain that still exists today. But Levi isn’t involved in the family business. He works for a media conglomerate, last I knew.
But Levi and Edmund aren’t discussing business. They’re talking about the model Levi is dating.
I continue cutting through the tender steak and listening to the babble of multiple conversations at the table.
