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There are several clients seated, plus a few suits who look likethey’re here for job interviews, but Crew Kensington isn’t hard to spot amid the crowd.
Everyone in the waiting area is staring at him.
He strides in this direction as soon as he spots me, hand outstretched. “Ms. Tate.”
“Mr. Kensington.”
I’m proud my voice doesn’t waver and betray my nerves. Crew doesn’t look angry, but he doesn’t appear friendly either. He glances at Perry, expression neutral.
Perry straightens his tie before sticking out a hand. “Perry Parks. Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kensington.”
“Parks.” Crew tilts his head, studying Perry. “Are you related to Flynn?”
I think I’m the only one who catches Perry’s subtle wince before he answers, “Yes. He’s my cousin, sir.”
“I see. Small island.” Crew smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
Just like Kit when he’s being polite. Their eye color matches too.
Perry isn’t oblivious to social cues, but I sort of wish he were.
“I’ll see you later, Collins,” he says, giving Crew a respectful nod before continuing in the opposite direction.
Once Perry is gone, Kit’s father focuses on me. “Do you have a minute?”
It’s phrased as a question, but not really a request.
“Of course,” I reply. “We can talk in my office.”
Crew nods, following me as I spin and retrace my steps. The walk feels a lot longer with Crew than it did with Perry, like the distance doubled in the past few minutes.
“I was surprised to hear you’d left the company,” he states.
Isthatwhy he’s here? I have no idea how Crew would have foundout I’d left. He’s too high up at Kensington Consolidated to be bothered by or informed of changes in assistant positions. It’swhoseassistant I was, I guess.
I clear my throat. “I was a paralegal before I started at Kensington Consolidated. Just … returning to my roots.”
“I see.”
Finally, we reach my office. I’m sure Crew’s office is as large and luxurious as Kit’s, but he doesn’t comment on the small size or plainness of mine.
Kit would have made a joke. Asked if I accidentally brought him to a closet or something.
“Can I get you anything to drink?” I ask.
“I’m all set, thank you.” Crew takes a seat in the wooden chair opposite my desk, resting his elbows on the arms and steepling his fingers under his chin.
I sink down in my swivel chair, faking a cough to fill the oppressive silence.
“I’m aware this isn’t the first time we’re meeting. I’m sorry we never had a conversation while you were at the company.”
“That’s all right, Mr. Kensington.”
For the first time, he smiles. Crinkles appear in the corners of his eyes, like it’s a common occurrence. “Please, call me Crew. It’s been, what, a few years?”
I nod. “A couple. It would have been the Fourth of July. Lili invited me to the Red, White, and Blue party her grandparents hosted the summer we graduated.”
Crew nods too. “Right, of course.”