Chapter 23 Kit #3
“Well, I’m so happy for you two,” Charles said.
A mischievous look flashed in his eyes, and he added, “No one would have ever guessed William would settle down. One day he’s being featured in The Ave Mag as one of New York’s most eligible bachelors—out every Friday night with a different supermodel or socialite, absolutely slaying the city’s social scene.
Then he disappears for six months, and the next thing you know, he’s house hunting with a new girlfriend no one’s ever heard of. ”
“Charles,” Meredith stepped into the room. “I thought even mediocre real estate agents knew not to hover around potential buyers. Buzz off and let Kit look around by herself.”
Charles clicked his tongue. “What would I do without you to tell me how to do my job, Meredith?”
They scowled at each other. Meredith stepped aside as Charles walked past her through the door. Meredith looked over at me. “Was he being skeezy or just annoying…or both?”
My mouth pushed into a frown. “Just a little annoying but maybe illuminating.”
“How's that?” Meredith asked, stepping into the room with me.
“He said that William was once named “Most Eligible Bachelor” by some magazine. Is that true?” I crossed my arms as I looked around the room.
Meredith laughed. “Yeah, I think those magazines are the worst. They don’t mean anything.”
“I guess there’s a lot I don’t know about William,” I sighed. I wanted to change the subject. “This is a great house. Do you like it?”
“Yeah, it’s not my style. Too much house for me. What about you?” Meredith asked. I was surprised by how personable Meredith was being. William had described Meredith as a force of nature, and she didn’t strike me as the kind of woman who believed in small talk.
“I love it. It’s the exact kind of place I’d want to live if I lived in Atlanta,” I admitted.
“I guess Charles knew what he was doing after all,” Meredith said, her lips twisting in disgust at the thought of Charles being competent. “My guess is William will like this house primarily because of the neighborhood and the guest house.”
“The guest house?” I peered out the window overlooking the pool and guest house in the backyard.
“For his mom,” Meredith noted as she peeked her head into the walk-in closet.
I tried not to let it show that it bothered me how everyone seemed to know what William would want.
After all, why should I be frustrated that he had friends who knew him?
The truth was I was just frustrated that I didn’t know him this well.
Maybe Veronica was right. I felt a sick feeling rising in my throat.
“You okay?” Meredith asked. I looked up to see her standing a few feet away looking at me with concern.
“Yeah, it’s nothing,” I said.
Meredith pressed her lips together and said, “What are you and William doing for dinner tonight?”
“I don’t think we have plans yet,” I said, trying to shake off the feeling of anxiousness that was developing.
“Addison wants to try a new place tonight. You guys are welcome to join us if you’d like,” Meredith said.
“That sounds nice,” I said.
“Addison is always keeping me current.” Meredith nodded. “I don’t know where I’d be without her.”
“You’d be a workaholic with very little social life,” William said, stepping into the room.
“What do you think of the house?” Meredith asked him.
“I love it,” William said with some excitement in his voice. “I love the neighborhood, and the guest house would be perfect when we have our family visit,” William said to me as he put an arm around my waist. I responded by wrapping my arm around his so I wouldn’t be standing there awkwardly.
I followed Meredith and William out of the house.
I went to the car and immediately googled William’s name and Most Eligible Bachelor.
Nothing came up. I googled “Most Eligible Bachelor Ave Mag William.” I clicked the link to the article and scrolled through the list of names and photos until I saw William’s picture.
He was walking on what appeared to be a red carpet.
William looked like a fucking supermodel moving past a red velvet rope into who-knows-where.
He wasn’t looking directly at a camera. He looked as if he just effortlessly existed among this glitz. He was listed as Will P. from NYC.
How did Veronica miss this? I pressed the arrow to send her the link and added the message, “Check out Will P. from NYC…”
Veronica immediately texted back “Fuck me. Are you kidding?”
William and Charles chatted on the porch for a few moments, then William joined me in the car. “I really liked this one,” William said. “Should we look at more houses tomorrow, or what do you think?”
“It feels so soon to make an offer,” I said. I could see the disappointment on William’s face, so I pivoted. “Look, if I wasn’t in the picture, what would you do? Would you make an offer tomorrow?”
He shook his head. “No, you’re very much in the picture. You’re in all the pictures now. You’re in all the future pictures. So, that’s what I’m going to consider. What you think matters to me.”
I pressed back into the car seat, and before I lost my nerve, I forced myself to say, “Do we know each other well enough to be moving this fast?”
William’s head whipped around toward me, and I could see the concern on his face, but his voice was measured and comforting. “Hey, where’s this coming from?”
I sighed and looked out the car window. “Veronica and I kind of got into it earlier today. She said we were moving too fast, and I barely know you.”
He reached across the car console and touched my leg. “Kit, you can ask me anything, I’m an open book.”
“Okay, when were you going to tell me you’re one of this year’s Most Eligible Bachelors in NYC?” I held up my phone so he could see the picture of himself.
“Well, technically, I was one of last year’s most eligible bachelors,” William said, tilting his chin up as if the distinction was important. “This year I’m one of the most committed and in love people in Atlanta.” William didn’t question how I had found the list.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Your charm will not win you points. In fact, I think this is how you got onto this list.”
William chuckled. “I am sure I got onto that list because Penny, in PR at our firm, wanted us to have a younger, hipper image to attract young-money investors—so she probably floated my name to the magazine editor over cocktails.”
I let my head drop back and looked at the headliner of the car. “That doesn’t make it any better, William.”
He laughed. “Okay. Well, I’m sure there are lots of things about you I don’t know.”
“Um, not really. You lived in my childhood home with me for five months. You met all my friends and saw where I worked. You’ve seen me wearing a retainer,” I retorted. “I think you have a really clear picture of who I am.”
William kept his eyes on the road. “Okay, I’m not on any other lists that I’m aware of. Is there anything else bothering you?”
“Addison said you’re rich,” I blurted out.
William tilted his head to one side and said, “I wouldn’t say I’m rich. It’s not like I’m old money rich. I was raised by a single, immigrant mom. I’m not rich like Charleston coastal mansion rich—like Matt and his family—but yes, I’m not poor anymore.”
“But you’re rich enough that a house that’s listed for over half a million dollars feels within your budget. Like you didn’t even bat an eye when Charles told you the asking price,” I said sharply.
“I’m sorry,” William said hesitantly.
“I guess.”
“Well, are you sorry?” I asked in a huff.
“I want to make sure I know what I’m apologizing for,” William said cautiously. “I hear that you’re upset that you didn’t know how much money I was earning before and that it’s news to you that I am in a comfortable situation financially.”
“Yes,” I let a frustrated breath out.
“Okay, I am sorry I didn’t tell you that,” William nodded.
“I should have been more transparent about my financial situation. I can see how it feels lopsided because I’ve been privy to much of your personal and professional life by proximity, and you haven’t had that same experience with me, but maybe we can change that. ”
“Humph,” I responded, my arms crossed. I looked straight ahead.
“Just to be clear. I would not say that I’m rich by New York City standards.
Some would say, I was barely making a living there.
Now that I am a CEO, and I’m living in Atlanta with a lower cost of living, I’ll be in a financial situation that’s much more comfortable, but I don’t know if I’ll ever feel like I am rich.
My upbringing will always have me worried about the other shoe dropping. ”
“Okay,” I softened a little and added reluctantly, “By the way, the money you’ve spent on therapy has made you very good at apologizing.”
“Thank you. I’ll let my therapist know during our weekly session,” William said with a quick nod.
“You have a weekly therapy session?!” I cried. “I had no idea!”
“Kit, come on.” William laughed. “I haven’t been hiding that.
I have a therapy call every week at nine a.m. on Wednesdays.
I just don’t talk about it that much. I have a very high-pressure job.
I have to talk through some of the dynamics I experience at work so I don’t internalize all that toxic behavior.
Therapy is great. Have you ever tried it? ”
I snapped. “Of course. I went to grief therapy when my mom was sick and after she died.”
“Well, maybe it’s something you could try while we navigate all of these big changes in our lives.” William’s suggestion, albeit helpful, was ill-timed. He looked over at me and could see that I was fuming. “Hey, I’m not trying to make you mad. It’s just a great resource.”
William had parked the car in the restaurant parking lot. “Come on. What else do you want to know? I’ll tell you anything.”