Page 1 of Gold Rush

1

Idid not want Flynn Parks to be at my graduation party.

I really did not want Flynn Parks to be at my graduation party and distract me with his blatant desire to be elsewhere. Daydreaming about a different sort of club. Or a bar. Or wherever else he goes to drink and pick up women—his two favorite hobbies.

Although, allegedly, he currently has a girlfriend. Poor woman. I cannot come up with the name of someone worse suited for commitment.

My gaze sweeps the sea of rapt faces spread before me, glimpsing approval, pride, and a few pockets of clumsily concealed envy. Then returns to my source of irritation at the very back of the crowd. Flynn has turned left. A grin appears on the half of his face I can see, dimple creasing a stubbled cheek as he talks to the waitress delivering a fresh drink. He raises the glass, sips, and continues staring at the ocean, away from the stage set up on Atlantic Crest Country Club’s expansive lawn.

My smile slips, annoyance struggling to break through, but I fix my expression before anyone notices. Most attention is aimed at my parents, who are mid-speech, thanking everyone for attending my graduation party.

“And, of course, to Rory—the reason we’re all here.”

I glance at Dad, beaming at me with one arm wrapped around Mom’s shoulders.

“Congratulations, Esquire,” he continues. “Your mom and I could not be prouder of the intelligent, brilliant, accomplished woman you are. New York prosecutors, beware!” Dad raises his glass of champagne, and everyone, including me, emulates the motion. “To Rory!”

“To Rory!” the crowd echoes, then drinks.

I walk over to my parents, reaching Mom first. I hug her, then embrace my father. “Nice speech, Dad.”

“I meant every word. When did my girls get so big?” he says, letting go to survey me in the black cap Mom suggested I rewear for the occasion. “You’re finished with law school. Wren is only one year from graduating college. Both with boyfriends.” Dad glances over to where Wren is laughing with Sawyer since my boyfriend isn’t here.

“We’re still your girls, Dad,” I tell him.

He kisses my forehead, nearly knocking the cap off. “I love you, sweetheart.”

“Love you too.”

“Stop hogging the graduate, Oliver!” Lili nearly shoves Dad out of the way so she can give me a hug, followed by her fiancé, Charlie.

More family members appear. My cousin Kit with his girlfriend, Collins, and their son, Dylan. Lili and Kit’s younger brother, Bash. Their parents—my aunt and uncle—Scarlett and Crew. My grandfather, Arthur Kensington, who gives me an approving nod before introducing me to a former business associate. The older man immediately makes a comment about how I should consider working at his son’s firm, as if I haven’t heard a dozen similar pitches this afternoon, then launches into a complaint about a change to the golf course’s landscaping.

I extricate myself as soon as possible, but get caught in another conversation immediately. This time about the much younger actress Camden Crane is allegedly dating after his divorce. I’d rather hear about the grass’s height. I excuse myself from yet another discussion, heading toward the table where my little sister is sitting. Despite how exhausting today has been, for multiple reasons, I smile as I approach the patio.

Wren and I are opposites in many ways. She’s generally considered the “fun” sister, but I’ve never seen her more vibrant than she is today. I figured her Marina Guy was a phase, but Wren is literally radiating happiness, whispering something to the man seated next to her.

“The belle of the ball, gracing us with her presence?” Wren teases, glancing up as I take an open chair opposite her. “How flattering.”

“Thanks for lining up to congratulate me,” I state dryly, settling in the seat with a relieved sigh. I’ve been standing for most of the day.

“I sat through your four-hour commencement ceremony in the sweltering sun. I feel like my sisterly obligation was fulfilled then. Although”—Wren straightens—“I did get you a pretty fantastic graduation gift. Want to open it?”

She looks too excited for me to answer anything except, “Sure.”

Wren jumps out of her seat. “Be right back!”

I aim a polite smile at Sawyer as she rushes inside. Guests were instructed to leave gifts on a table in the dining room. Last I looked, you couldn’t even see the walnut surface. It’s going to take me a while to write all the thank-you notes.

“I’m Rory,” I say since we’ve never been formally introduced.

“I know,” he replies, smiling slightly. “I’m Sawyer.”

I smile back. “I know.”

Sawyer shifts in his seat. “Congratulations. This is quite the party.”

“Thanks. I was hoping it’d be a little … smaller. My family tends to draw attention.”