Chapter 28
Kensington Consolidated is an intimidating building.
Oliver Kensington is an intimidating man.
He sits, fingers steepled under his chin with the New York skyline behind him, waiting for me to explain what the hell I’m doing in his office.
He’s a busy, important person. My decades-long friendship with his nephew and expected successor is the sole reason I was able to talk my way in here during what’s supposed to be my lunch break and is likely his.
I might not have the funding in place, but that doesn’t mean I can’t move ahead with other aspects of the foundation.
I want to hit the ground running as soon as my father provides my inheritance.
Kit was right; Oliver is an excellent person to ask for advice.
Not only does he have personal experience in this area, but his connections span across the country, not just this city.
But sitting here, I can’t stop thinking about how I plan to make this foundation a reality.
How I’ll have to sit here again, asking for his blessing to marry his daughter, knowing I have no intention of following through on that request.
Asking for Oliver’s blessing to propose didn’t even occur to me until now. One of many things I’d failed to consider regarding Rory.
For years, I’ve had a front-row seat to how close Oliver Kensington is with his daughters.
They share the sort of relationship I can’t imagine experiencing with my own father.
Rather than expensive paintings or diplomas, the walls in here are covered with framed family photographs.
The newest addition hangs left of Oliver’s desk—Rory standing between her beaming parents, beneath an ancient oak, at our graduation in May.
I have a similar picture with my parents, but it more resembles one of those stock photos with stiff smiles that come in new frames.
“Sure I can’t get you anything?” Oliver asks again.
“I’m fine. Thanks.” I shift in the armchair, clearing my throat. “I have a, uh, favor to ask.”
Oliver’s eyebrows rise. He nods. “Go ahead.”
“The thing is …” My knee bounces. God, this is brutal.
Would he even say yes if I asked to propose to Rory?
How the fuck did Charlie get through that conversation with Crew?
Kit’s father is equally intimidating. “The thing is, I’m looking to start a foundation.
Kit mentioned you might have some advice. ”
Surprise is evident on Oliver’s face. Whatever he thought I was going to ask, it wasn’t that. Did he think it was going to be about Rory? We’ve only been “dating” for about six weeks. Then again, he famously married Hannah the night they met.
“That’s admirable,” he starts slowly.
I shake my head. “Not really. I … a friend overdosed in college. I could’ve done—I should’ve done—more to help him.
He’d never experimented with drugs before.
Then, all of a sudden, he barely cared about anything else.
I thought it was a phase. I knew it was a problem but I didn’t realize how …
” I exhale. “I know most schools already have resources available, but some students are scared to utilize anything affiliated with a university. I know Penn was—Penn was concerned about his parents finding out he was using. He was on a partial scholarship and didn’t know what would be kept confidential or could be covered by mandatory reporting. ”
Oliver nods. “So, you’re looking to create a network that prioritizes anonymity?”
“And that’s adaptable. No two situations are the same.
Some people want someone to talk to and are using as an escape.
Others need to go to rehab, but don’t have the financial means or the ability to arrange that for themselves.
Ideally, anyone who contacts the foundation will receive an individual treatment plan.
Some have supportive families; some don’t.
Even if they’re close with their parents”—I think of Nora and Byron—“college is where most people are on their own for the first time. Between that sudden independence, the stress of academics, and social life … sorry, I sound like a pamphlet. But there are studies to support how vulnerable a stage it is. I’ve done research. ”
Oliver smiles. “You sound well informed. I have no doubt you know much more about this topic than I do. In terms of the general process, I am on the board of a couple of foundations and would be happy to talk you through a few preliminary steps in a practical sense. No doubt your legal knowledge outstrips mine as well.” He glances at the clock.
“I’ve got a meeting coming up, so why don’t we set up a time to talk soon?
That’ll give us plenty of time to discuss details.
This might sound strange since I’ve known you for most of your life, but I’d like to get to know you better, Flynn.
My daughters are two of the best people I know, but neither of them appreciates watching a Yankees game with a cold beer.
I have a feeling I could rely on you to consider it less of an obligation. ”
I smile, my nerves finally settling. “Yes, sir. That sounds great.”
I can’t help but contrast this interaction with the dinner at my parents’ house. They didn’t want to get to know Rory; they wanted to show her off.
I’ve always taken some measure of responsibility for our strained dynamic.
Believed I could have done more, done better.
There were countless times I disappointed Julian on purpose, sick of perpetually falling short, even when I tried to impress.
Would it have mattered if I’d always striven for success?
Was there anything I could have done to earn lasting approval?
Was my trust fund always going to be a means of controlling me, no matter what I accomplished?
I stand and shake hands with Oliver, thanking him again before exiting his office.
Out in the hallway, I nearly knock into a young woman carrying a stack of papers. “Sorry,” I say quickly.
“My fault,” she returns, smiling at me. “Do you need directions or … anything else?” Her eyes are fixed on me.
It’s an opening. An invitation.
“All set. Thanks.” I continue walking without looking back.
April, Kit’s assistant, glances up as I approach her desk. “Hey, Flynn.”
“Hey, April. Is he in?”
“Yep. Let me just make sure he’s not on a call.”
I nod, glancing around the immaculate offices as she picks up the phone on her desk.
I probably could have gotten a job in Kensington Consolidated’s legal department on my own.
I absolutely could have gotten hired here if I’d mentioned to Kit I was interested in the role.
If Simon Grey has ever mentioned to Julian that he’s impressed by my job performance, my father’s opinion of my work ethic hasn’t improved accordingly.
I should’ve spent more time considering what I could do with a law degree rather than simply chase the most prestigious position.
I could be doing something with an immediate impact, like Rory, rather than helping rich corporations get richer.
April hangs up her phone. “You can head right in.”
“Thanks,” I tell her, walking toward the door.
Kit stands when I open it, expecting me. “Hey! You get fired?”
I roll my eyes as I shut the door behind me, heading for the couch against one wall of his huge office. “I’m on my lunch break.”
“And you came to see me? I’m honored.”
“Don’t be. I came to see Oliver. You just happened to be conveniently located down the hallway.”
“What was the meeting with Oliver about?”
“I asked for advice about the foundation, like you’d suggested.” I flop down on his couch.
“And it went …”
“Fine.” I adjust my tie so it lies flat again. “Great. I’m just tired. Didn’t get much sleep.” I yawn for emphasis.
The MetroHealth acquisition I’m working on exceeds federal reporting thresholds, so antitrust filings are required.
I’ve been gathering information concerning market share, competitors, corporate structure, and prior acquisitions that I have to present this afternoon before we submit to regulators reviewing the deal.
“Do I want to know why?” Kit smirks.
“Work. Rory didn’t get home until two a.m. The flight was delayed due to weather.”
“Didn’t stop me and Collins.” He grins, taking a seat in one of the armchairs across from the couch. “She’s finally out of the nauseous phase of pregnancy and into the—”
“How about we pretend this is like the last time you knocked her up and you tell me absolutely no details at all?” I interrupt.
Kit scoffs. “We’re sharing the news with everyone next week, once she’s in the second trimester. Until then, you’re the only person I can talk to about this.”
“What about the mother of your child?”
“Great idea. I’ll complain about the lack of sex while Collins is dealing with heartburn, vomiting, and bloating.”
I blanch. “Don’t.”
“Exactly,” Kit says grimly. “So, I need you to buck up and deal with it for six more days. We each got to pick an emotional support person to tell early, and you’re mine.”
“Well, it sounds like the drought is over, so we’re good here?”
“What did Rory say about the bachelorette?”
I sigh. I guess not. “Not much. She got back late, and she leaves for work before I do. But she sounded like she was having fun when I talked to her.”
“You talked to her while she was gone?”
“I called her Saturday night, yeah.”
“Did she say anything about Collins?”
I think. “No.”
“She was worried people might notice she wasn’t drinking,” Kit explains.
“I think Rory was drinking too much to notice,” I say, smiling as I recall her sleepy, slightly slurred voice when we talked on the phone. “She’s sort of a lightweight.”
Kit tilts his head. “Interesting.”
“Not really. She doesn’t drink often, so it makes total sense.”
“I’m not talking about Rory’s healthy habits. I’m talking about how you, Mr. This Chick Is Too Clingy, called Rory on one of the three nights she was out of town. I told you claustrophobia wouldn’t happen with the right person.”
I stare at him, startled into silence.
I called Rory back because she’d only called me once before—to chastise me for telling Kit about us.
Yes, she was with her sister and her cousin and a whole group of women, but she was also in a strange city in another country.
If something was wrong, I wasn’t going to wait until the morning to find out what it was.
And, yeah, I stayed on the phone after it was obvious everything was fine because I’d become accustomed to daily updates from her.
That’s attributable to noticing a change in routine, nothing more.
“I heard you guys are living together.”
“Who told you that?”
“Rhody. And Wren. And—”
“People should mind their own business,” I mutter.
Kit laughs. “Are you kidding? You guys are what everyone is talking about.”
Exactly what we expected. What I wanted to happen. So, why do I still feel unsettled? Because I didn’t foresee sleeping with Rory when I pitched the plan to her? Because I wanted to call her when she was out of town? Because I didn’t know what Kit cheering on our relationship would be like?
I check my watch, the time a convenient excuse to say, “I gotta get back to my cubicle.”
Kit stands when I do. “Our legal team all has their own offices, you know. We could have lunch together every day …”
Working at Kensington Consolidated would have been viewed as favoritism before.
My friendship with Kit is common knowledge.
I wouldn’t have really cared since I know I’m more than capable of handling the job.
But I can’t stomach the possibility now, not knowing it would also be seen as a perk of dating Rory.
“I’m good where I am,” I tell him. “But thanks.”
Kit nods.
“You coming to Beers and Balls next week?” I ask. “They’re playing Boston.”
“Yeah, I’ll—”
The door opens, a deep, booming voice interrupting Kit. “Did you—oh. Hey, Flynn. How are you?”
“Good, Crew,” I reply, shaking his offered hand and returning his smile. “You?”
“I’d be better if my son returned my emails.”
Kit scoffs at the pointed comment. “I’m on my lunch break.”
Crew Kensington raises his eyebrows, then glances back at me. “You’re looking sharp. How’s the new job?”
“Long hours, late nights, and little acknowledgment.”
He smiles. “I remember those days. It gets better.”
“Don’t tell him that, Dad. I’m trying to recruit Flynn to work here instead.”
“Always a spot open,” Crew tells me. “We’d be lucky to have you.”
I have to swallow before saying, “Thanks, sir.”
“Sir? You’re family, Flynn. Especially since I hear you’re dating my niece.”
Flynn wasn’t exaggerating when he said everyone, evidently.
“Kit, check your emails,” his dad adds. “I need you to sign off on a couple of time-sensitive matters related to the gala.”
“Will do,” Kit replies, saluting.
Crew refocuses on me. “We’ll see you there?”
I’ve only attended Kensington Consolidated’s annual gala a handful of times, none of them recent.
The past few years, the event has been held on dates I was out of town—in Boston, primarily.
Even when I was technically available, I’ve often avoided it.
My parents usually attend. If I show up, not only will I have to see them, but Julian will inevitably try to use me to chat up Crew or Kit or Oliver.
But Rory always goes—her father is the fucking CEO of the company—and it will look strange if I’m not there to support her.
Plus, we’re supposed to have a second dinner with my parents on Friday night.
If Julian and I disagree about something, as we inevitably do during most conversations, maybe he’ll still be annoyed enough to avoid me at the gala.
I force a smile. “Of course I’ll be there. Looking forward to it.” I glance at Kit. “See you, man.” I walk over to give him an impulsive hug, clapping him on the back twice before saying, “I’m happy to be your emotional support person,” low enough that Crew can’t hear.
He claps me back. “Thanks, Flynn.”
We separate.
Kit grins before shoving my shoulder. “Better get back to your tiny cubicle.”
I flip him off before heading for the door. “Good to see you, Crew.”
“I’ll walk out with you,” he says, following me to the exit. “Email, Kit.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m looking now,” Kit says, heading for his desk.
I say goodbye to April, then continue down the hallway with Crew.