Page 40 of Gold Rush

I wish I’d let Rory change rather than hustle her out the door due to my hunger. I feel oddly possessive of her current appearance—loose hair and casual clothes—knowing it’s a version of her not many have access to. I didn’t see her in anything resembling comfortable clothing until last week.

“What are you up to?” I ask, drawing Knox’s attention back to me.

“Still at TK Capital,” he tells me, referring to a private equity firm. “Had to head into the office to handle a few things this afternoon, so I’m grabbing some groceries before I go home. What about you”—he glances at Rory—“you guys?”

“I’m working at Locke, Grey, and Lee,” I say.

“Oh, right. Archie mentioned.”

I suddenly recall that Knox was at Proof the night I punched Carson. I doubt he’d bring that up in front of Rory, which I hope I’m right about. I suppose it lends credibility to us dating now—making it look like I always had a thing for her—but I’d rather Rory never hear it happened. I’m not sure how she’d react to hearing I hit her ex. She’d probably have strong, pacifistic opinions about violence never being the proper response.

“Rory is working at the Manhattan Public Defender’s office.” I glance at her, smiling like a proud boyfriend would. “Practically running the place already.”

“I’m literally the youngest, least experienced lawyer they have,” Rory tells Knox.

There’s a flush on her face that wasn’t there a minute ago though. The temperature in here feels subarctic compared to the heat outside, so I don’t think it has anything to do with the weather.

“How are your parents doing?” she adds, flawlessly polite, as per usual.

“They’re good. Spending most of the summer out on Martha’s Vineyard. My mom thinks taking the ferry is fun.” Knox chuckles, running a hand through his blond hair. “She mentioned they ran into your folks at the terminal last weekend, Flynn. They were visiting the Waylands on Nantucket, I think?”

I nod stiffly. “Sounds right.”

“I’ll probably go out there again before summer ends. The boat ride is nice.” He shifts his basket back to the other hand. “How about yours? Oliver and Hannah keeping busy?”

Knox half smiles as he says it because the Kensingtons aren’t only known as multibillionaires. They’ve built a thriving empire that extends far beyond this city. If those businesses weren’t so incredibly successful, they’d have given away most of their net worth by now; they donate to charities and host fundraisers, lending their time and money and energy to dozens of important causes. It’s obvious where Rory inherited her philanthropic tendencies and work ethic from.

He’s also sucking up since Oliver is his dad’s boss at Kensington Consolidated.

“Always,” Rory confirms. “Wren too. She’s about to start her final year at Cambridge.”

“Wow. That went fast. Feels like she and Nico just graduated from Dalton.”

“I know. It’s crazy.”

They smile at each other, bonding over their younger siblings being the same age and attending the same school. Big fucking deal. I doubt he recalls Rory’s birthday being announced on the intercom each year.

“Looks like you’ve still got a lot of shopping to do,” I note, nodding at Knox’s empty basket.

He glances down, then shrugs. “Oh. Yeah. I usually wander around for a while, buy a couple things, then order takeout.”

“That’s what I normally do,” Rory says. She takes a step to the right, reaching up and squeezing my bicep while she beams at me with such intense affection that it causes a sudden spasm in my chest. “But Flynn insisted on cooking for me tonight. Isn’t that sweet?”

Okay, so I guess we’re not discussing a strategy for how to announce we’re dating. I wasn’t expecting Rory to improvise, but I can absolutely get on board with it.

“My cooking is more spicy than sweet, baby.” I wink at her.

Rory’s smile slips, her usual glare hovering like the sun hides behind clouds.

She used sex euphemisms first.

Knox is doing a shitty job of hiding the disappointment on his face. What the fuck did he think we were doing, grocery shopping together? Starting a catering business? We’re both lawyers. Or about to be, by my father’s definition.

He clears his throat. “Well, it was nice to see you guys.”

“You too,” Rory replies, sounding much more genuine.

I nod an acknowledgment, and then Knox turns and heads back the way he came.