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His gaze lands on my half-packed briefcase. “You wereleaving?”
“It’s after five. Technically, that’s when the workday ends.”
“I know that. I just didn’t thinkyoudid.”
I roll my eyes as I approach my desk, finish shoving papers in my briefcase and then snapping it shut. “I have a date tonight. Trying to get home early so I have time to shower and change.”
“With Quinn?” Scarlett asks. Her voice is high and excited. I thought her interest in my marriage was connected to her dislike of Hannah, but her reaction suggests a deeper interest in my love life.
I nod. “We’re going out with Garrett and Sienna.”
“Are you bringing her to their wedding next weekend?”
“I’m not sure. We’ll see how tonight goes.”
Truthfully, I don’t want to, no matter how tonight goes. And it has nothing to do with Quinn. She was charming and sweet when I finally called her about getting dinner. Graceful, when I mentioned Garrett and Sienna would be joining us.
But Garrett and Sienna’s wedding will be packed with New York’s elite. If I show up with Quinn, there will be engagement rumors swirling by midnight. That’s a pressure I don’t need or want.
I have to decide how badly I want it. What I’m willing to sacrifice. I don’t want to be forced into a marriage I’m not sure I want, just to gain something I’m entitled to. I was born expected to be the next CEO of Kensington Consolidated, the way crowns pass through monarchies.
It would be one thing if I wasn’t capable of handling the pressure. If I was lazy or incompetent. Instead, I got knocked down the hierarchy by Scarlett’s preference for my brother and Candace’s unhappiness in her marriage. And while I certainly have culpability in one instance, it shouldn’t have anything to do with my job.
I grab the briefcase off my desk and the umbrella from the corner of my office. It was spitting rain this morning, but the skies have since cleared.
“Don’t forget the rest of your homework,” Crew teases, holding the NetLife papers out to me. “If your date gets boring.”
I take them. “My dates don’t get bored.”
Scarlett laughs, then grabs Crew’s hand and pulls him toward the door. “Have fun tonight, Oliver!”
“Yeah, thanks,” I reply.
I make sure I have everything, wish Alicia a happy weekend, and then head toward the elevators.
Traffic is worse than usual, probably because I’m leaving at a reasonable hour. It takes over thirty minutes before I’m back at my building.
After showering and shaving, I get dressed in slacks and an olive-green sweater instead of a suit. Casual for me.
I’ve never paid much attention to fashion, beyond making sure my suits are clean and tailored. Maybe it’s the lack of a mother or a serious girlfriend in my life.
Impulsively, I snap a photo of myself in the mirror and send it to Scarlett. Not only is she my sister, technically, but she’s also a world-famous designer.
When she likes the photo a few minutes later, I feel a little better about my choice.
Pierre is in his usual position beside the door when I step out of the elevator. “Have a good night, Mr. Kensington.”
“You too,” I reply, before stepping aside.
The nearest Metro stop is only a block away. I walk along the sidewalk at a more leisurely pace than usual, enjoying the hint of warmth in the air that signals spring’s approach.
Really, I should be beaming ear to ear. I didn’t have to deal with my father at all this week. Quinn eagerly accepted the invitation for tonight, suggesting she’s interested in the union our fathers are already viewing as a sure thing. My relationship with Crew is in a better place than it’s been in a while.
But there’s still a restlessness and an uncertainty that I can’t seem to shake.
I reach the stop and descend underground. Despite cleaning attempts, the unpleasant odors of urine and garbage swirl in the cooler air as I swipe my card and push through the turnstile.
After only a couple of minutes of waiting on the platform, a southbound train arrives. I step on board, choosing to stand and grab a pole instead of taking one of the open seats. Other passengers step on and off, all of them rushing and most in work attire.
