Page 28 of Gold Rush

“Good to see you, Rory,” Clay adds, then climbs inside.

I stare after the red taillights as they move down the street. He might have framed it as concern for me, but I heard his real message loud and clear. I’m too prosaic for Flynn Parks.

“Be meaner.”

“I’m suggesting we pretend to be engaged.”

I might not have wanted Flynn’s advice. But I’m pretty sure I’m going to take it.

9

My stomach growls as Jay Lewis, the junior partner in charge of us, continues droning on about billable hours.

These meetings with the other first-year associates who selected an early start are fascinating—not. These sessions are the worst part of my mornings, slotted just before lunch so I’m inevitably starving as I listen to a long speech about administrative procedures and firm practices that we already received in paper format on Monday.

Haley Jackson, who’s in the seat next to me, catches my eye and mouths, Ten minutes.

According to the main conference room’s clock, it’s twelve ten. This meeting was supposed to end at noon.

I huff a sigh under my breath. Haley smiles before refocusing on where Jay is standing at the head of the table.

Haley is pretty and single, so exactly my type. Since we work together, it’ll never be more than banter and lingering glances. I could come up with reasons why sleeping with a colleague is a bad idea all on my own, but Kit basically ensured it’s a line I will never ever cross. It worked out for him, obviously, but I’m not a Kensington, working at Kensington Consolidated. I was hired here because I’d graduated from the top of my class at Harvard Law, and I’m not stupid enough to wind up fired over a fling.

There’s a knock on the glass door. I exhale a sigh of relief, along with everyone else seated around the long conference table. Except for Jay, who frowns and checks his watch before walking over to speak to the interrupter.

“Parks,” he calls after a brief conversation. “You’re needed in reception.”

I frown, picking up my legal pad and pen before I stand.

I’m supposed to sit in on a deposition scheduled for two p.m., but opposing counsel wouldn’t show up this early. The only person I can think of who might decide to randomly stop by the firm is my father. At least he showed up here, not at my condo, so I can make up an excuse about a meeting. Not even an excuse since Jay has picked up right where he left off. My coworkers’ envious stares follow me out into the carpeted hallway.

I pull my phone out to skim message and email notifications as I approach the floor’s reception area. Kit, asking if I want to grab lunch next week. My meeting at four was canceled. A number I don’t have saved with a photo attachment. A spam⁠—

“Flynn.”

I turn toward the row of chairs across from the elevators. Blink rapidly, glance around, then blink again.

Rory stands, smoothing the nonexistent wrinkles in her pencil skirt. It matches her pristine black blazer. Her blonde hair is pulled back in a neat ponytail; her makeup, if she’s wearing any, is subtle.

Her appearance couldn’t be more different from last weekend—barefoot, in pajamas—or more similar to every other time I’ve seen her, which is perfect.

I clear my throat, tucking the legal pad under my arm and my phone and pen in my pocket. Approach her slowly, unsure what the hell is happening.

“If you’re looking for a lawyer, I doubt you can afford my services.”

Rory doesn’t smile at the joke. She studies my face, then surveys my suit. Not the way Haley looked me over this morning—with interest—more like she’s memorizing what I’m wearing in case I go missing later.

“Can you talk?” she asks abruptly.

“Are words physically capable of exiting my mouth? Yes, as I’m demonstrating right now.”

She scoffs, reaching for the bag set in the chair next to the one she was seated in. It’s the one Wren gifted her at her graduation party, I realize, noticing the Sue Me stamped on one side. “Forget it. This was—I don’t know what I was thinking.”

I grab her arm as she starts to walk past me. Rory stiffens, so I quickly let go. But my hand hovers, waiting to stop her if she tries to leave again.

“Yeah, I can talk. Can buy you a coffee too.”

“Are you asking or offering?”