Page 57 of Gold Rush

“I don’t know.”

Is the possibility of seeing him tonight why she dressed differently? I suggested this would benefit Rory because it was a way to erase any relevance Carson gained by dating her, not so she could make him jealous. She doesn’t need to change a single thing about herself, and I’m pissed she might think differently.

But I can’t think of a great way to say any of that, so I don’t add to my original answer.

Ten minutes later, we reach the Clarences’ new house. Rhody was right; their summer place stands out from the rest of the neighborhood. I’ve never subscribed to the snobbery of new versus old money. But I’m familiar with the sentiment, mostly because my family’s wealth is considered to be in the former category.

So is the Clarences’. The massive mansion they built on a bluff lacks the signature coastal charm overflowing from the surrounding neighborhood—wraparound porches, weathered cedar shingles, clamshell drives—and perpetuates plenty of ostentatious stereotypes about sudden wealth. Their driveway is a stretch of spotless stone, the front facade a blinding white with massive windows illuminating most of the interior. The sleek, modern style would look less out of place on a Malibu beach.

I find a spot along the crowded driveway and park. We walk in the direction of the noisy backyard side by side, the silence between us especially evident in contrast to the chatter and music ahead.

Since high school, these parties have served as a means to catch up with childhood acquaintances and former classmates I’m not close enough to see on any regular basis. There’s probably only a year or two of these left before the majority gets married or starts having kids. Spend evenings at more structured events, the sort of stuffy ones our parents host and attend.

Last time I showed up with a date, I spent most of the night making introductions while she clung to my arm. This is different. For lots of reasons, starting with our unorthodox arrangement, but mainly because Rory already knows everyone here.

As evidenced by the way a large group of women call her over as soon as we reach the pavers that surround the pool. Rory waves, then heads in that direction without so much as a departing word, leaving me in the unprecedented situation of showing up to a party with a date minus a date.

“Parks!” Rhody is by the bar set up on the opposite side of the pool.

I walk over, clapping him on the back while he does the same to me.

“Was I just fucking hallucinating, or did you show up with Rory Kensington?” He lifts a glass of liquor to his mouth, pausing before sipping to ask, “Is Kit here too?”

“Yeah. I mean, no. Kit isn’t here. But I showed up with Rory. We’re dating.”

Rhody starts coughing mid-sip. “Excuse me?” he croaks.

I frown at him, shaking my head when the bartender comes over to ask if I want a drink. I have a good idea what Rory’s thoughts on drinking and driving are.

“You’re serious.” Rhody sounds amazed.

“Yes,” I snap, unsure why his shock is bothering me so much. But it is.

“You said you were swearing off relationships after Molly.”

“Well, I changed my mind.”

“Also about Rory, apparently.”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

Rhody swirls the liquid in his glass. “She’s Rory Kensington, Flynn.”

“You call that an explanation?”

He sets his glass down. “One, she’s a Kensington. Two, she’s Kit’s cousin. Three, you guys are total opposites. Four, she just went through a messy breakup. Five⁠—”

“I know all that,” I interrupt.

“Knowing something and thinking it through are two different things.”

“Jesus. I didn’t lecture you when you started dating Claudia.”

“No. You complained about not having a wingman anymore.”

“Well, I’d just lost Kit to fatherhood. It was a sensitive time.”

Rhody scoffs. “Speaking of, you’d better tell him before he hears it from someone here.”