11. Katherine
11
KATHERINE
“Charlotte, could you bring me a box, please?” I give the call button on my desk phone a vicious jab.
My temper rises like a tidal wave.
The way they just expected me to fall in line blows my mind.
I was on a rooftop with a man. How scandalous .
“One box coming up,” she replies.
I turn to my computer and create an email to Ms. McKune, making sure to send it to the general HR address. Let’s create a paper trail. Fingers flying over the keyboard, I recap what was said by both her and my mother. Then I play innocent and double-check that they intend for me to really be out of the office for three weeks.
That’s a long time to be away without someone to manage my workload. Which I brought up just to see if they’d thought this through. Needless to say, the answer wasn’t convincing.
I can’t freaking wait until everyone realizes I was not a nepotism hire.
Charlotte steps through the door just as I hit send. Okay, I stab the button, which the mouse doesn’t deserve, but it feels good.
She remains silent as she hands me the legal box, already assembled, and my appreciation for her doubles again. The CEO and the head of HR visiting have got to have tongues wagging. I need to be careful how I play this out. What I say. Not that I think Charlotte will run off and spread anything around the water cooler, but you never know.
I’m tempted to walk out without any instructions. Let the whole department burn.
“Thanks.”
“Anything else?”
“Not right now.”
She nods and heads back to her desk.
It’s time to play the long game.
Hands trembling, I start with a careful round of Tetris, filling the box with my plants. I shoot Charlotte a quick email with instructions on where to direct calls and that she should work with my boss to reschedule appointments. There’s a perverse satisfaction in being a team player ’til the end. Especially when I’ve read the employee handbook cover-to-cover, and it seems like my mother and Human Resources did not.
Then, I put my phone in my purse and look around for anything else I can’t live without.
They want me to fall on my sword?
They’re going to find out just how hard I can swing back.
???
I’m in the backseat of Roman’s SUV when my phone chimes with a familiar and much welcomed tone. The box of plants is on the seat next to me, and the kaleidoscope of green soothes me ever so slightly. Retrieving my phone, I pull up the group text with Kingston’s sisters. My hands are still vibrating, and not in a good way.
Mel: so...
Mel: what are your intentions toward our brother? winking face emoji
Katherine: I take it you saw the picture.
Soph: oh yeah
The youngest Saint sister chimes in.
Ava: it’s everywhere
I groan, which makes Roman check on me in the rearview mirror. I shoot him an I’m okay smile. But I don’t really feel okay. At some point the Ferris wheel has to stop so I can get off, right?
Katherine: it might have just cost me my job.
Mel: WHAT????
Katherine: My mother showed up with the head of HR.
Soph: face with symbols on mouth emoji
Mel: That’s awful. It’s not your fault paps are cretins.
Katherine: Tell me about it.
Frustration burns in my chest. I want to run and just keep on running. Run until the last two months make sense. But I also want to hit something. Hard. The image of the punching bag at the gym swims before my eyes.
It’s quickly followed by the memory of Gabe and Alex sauntering over, looking deliciously sweaty. Even through my rage, my attraction simmered. How was that less than a week ago?
I slump back, resting my head against the headrest. These gorgeous shoes didn’t even get half a day’s wear. But they sure did sound nice stalking across the floor.
My phone vibrates again.
Mel: What can we do?
Ava: we’d boycott the bank, but we did that ages ago.
They’d really lose their shit if they knew about the stipulations of the trust.
So why am I not losing mine? Three names and oodles of orgasms come to mind.
Soph: how about brunch? Meet you at the club in an hour?
Girl time sounds amazing. But the thought of going out in public right now sends a bolt of dread through me.
Mel: I’m in.
Ava: Me too.
Ella: I’m still in LA. crying face emoji
Mel: come home!
The club isn’t exactly public. But how much do you want to bet one of my mom’s friends will be there? Ten grand says she’d give me a disapproving look.
Ava: Come on, Kate. We haven’t gotten to bug you about the auction details yet.
Oof. I should have known that was coming. But I really don’t want to rehash that. It sounds more glamorous than it was.
Still, my tummy tingles at the memory of Gabe’s eyes locking with mine across the ballroom. The way my skin sizzled under Alex’s survey. At the time, I was trying to stifle the anxiety of being on stage in front of a crowd. But the attraction and awareness were there.
I drop my phone to my lap and glance out the window. The sidewalk shimmers in the morning sun. It’s going to be a hot one.
King mentioned lunch with a friend.
“Roman, could I make a quick stop?”
There’s one thing that’ll make me feel better. Girl time will help, but a trip to my favorite plant store will be the balm my soul needs.
“Of course, Miss Montgomery.”
I give him the address and then glance at Ava’s text again. It will be nice to see them. To catch up and be surrounded by friends. Trustworthy friends.
In all the time I’ve known King, I’ve also been close with his sisters. Mel with her upbeat personality. Sophie, who’s the oldest and most take charge. She’s fun, but she doesn’t cut loose like her sisters do. Not anymore anyway. Then there’s Mel’s twin, Ella. Studious. Careful. More reserved than her twin but kind and funny. Ava’s the baby, and she knows it. King’s the second oldest and protective of all of them.
Katherine: I’ll be there.
The replies are immediate.
Mel: yay!
Ava: excellent.
Soph: see you then. Miss you Ella!
Mel: Miss you, Belly-Button!
I snort, a full-on snort, in the back seat of the Rover. When will they let that silly nickname go? Poor Ella. But I giggle anyway because it’s never not funny to be reminded that there’s more to this world than zeroes in one’s bank account.
They grew up in the same circles but were so far removed from life in my mother’s house.
A few minutes later, we arrive at the curb in front of Simon’s tiny plant shop. The facade is painted a deep, neutral green. Sleek silver letters over the door and window spell out Leaf Me Alone. The combination is modern with a tip of the hat to the old building.
Roman opens my door and offers me a hand. Slipping my purse over my forearm, I step out. Blessedly, there aren’t any cameras pointed my way. I hustle across the well-worn sidewalk and push open the door just as I get another text. I glance down to see Gabe has finally joined the group text loop.
Gabe: It’s okay. We won’t need our walking muscles when you sit on my face later. winking face emoji
My cheeks heat, and my lips curve up as a thrill races through my veins.
Warm, humid air swirls around me, filling my lungs. It smells of earth and moisture, vibrant green life and sharp fertilizer.
My smile falters.
Behind the counter is a large worktable, and in the middle is Simon. He squats next to a massive pot with a large jade plant in it. Bonnie, his employee, tugs the plant toward her while Simon tugs the pot. She looks like she’s about to tumble ass over tits, tongue poked out as she gives it everything she’s got. Simon’s long, wavy hair cascades around his face, and a harsh breath blows it away.
“Stupid. Fucking. Roots. Saw in”—he grunts—“half. I swear to goddess.”
The whole scene is an episode in contortion. I try to hold in my snicker. Really, I do. But it bubbles out of me.
“Need a hand?”