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“Right? I told you.”
“I mean, it’s really good.”
“Very addicting.” I smile. “Watch out, you might turn into a frozen Coke junky.”
He laughs. “It might be too late for that.”
“Maybe they should start up an AA group for people addicted to frozen Coke. Frozen Cokeaholics Anonymous.”
“I might end up starting the first chapter.”
I giggle, feeling the rush of the caffeine hitting me. “It’s still not better than Starbucks, but it’s a lot cheaper.” What am I saying? It’s not like Kaison needs to find a good deal on his drinks. I’m sure he has plenty of cash to buy whatever drink he wants. Spending time with someone so wealthy will have to take some getting used to. Sure, Farah comes from money, but Kaison’s family’s wealth is on a whole other level.
It’s one more reason not to get too involved with him. He’s from a different world that I’ll never be able to understand. Even if I reach all the goals I have for myself, I still won’t be anywhere near Kaison’s level of wealth. Few people ever do.
It’s one thing to joke around at the gas station together, but when it comes down to the big stuff, Kaison would never be a good match for me.
And honestly, I don’t know why I should even care.
But I do.
10
KAISON
The trip to Blue Mountain is over before I know it. I watch Ariana’s face as she pulls up to the gate at the entrance to my parents’ property. I lean across her to the open window next to her as she rolls it down.
“Hey, Lloyd.” I wave to the security guard. He’s a big guy who’s been working for the family for a long time.
“Kaison? Is that you?” His smile is huge, his teeth white against his dark skin.
“In the flesh.”
“I haven’t seen you for ages.” His eyes crinkle.
I get the impression he wants to know how long I’m staying, but knows better than to ask. Our privacy at Keith Manor is a top priority. There are often paparazzi hanging around, hoping to get a glimpse of our expansive property. Tall hedges surround a stone wall that encircles the entire perimeter of the sixty acres. I was pretty annoyed by all the security measures when I was a kid because it made it tough to sneak out.
I was a studious kid, but I still had my moments of rebellion, even back then. It only got worse as I got older.
Lloyd opens the gate, and I wave goodbye to him.
Ariana stays quiet as we follow the curves of the drive up to the main house. Thick woods surround us, only adding to the level of privacy the manor affords. No one gets in or out of here who shouldn’t.
“How long have you guys had this place?” she asks.
“For generations. The house and land have been passed down from father to son since the 1800s.”
“Really?” Her brow lifted. “So is everything updated inside?”
“It’s a mix of antiques and cutting-edge modern technology. That’s thanks to my brother Langston. He’s into the techie stuff. My parents are pretty old fashioned.”
“So have your parents collected the antiques or were they passed down with the house?”
“Some of both. My mom likes to shop for antiques, but many of them have been in the family.”
“Do you still have your old room in the house?”
“I do. It’s pretty much the same as when I was a teen growing up here. What about you? Do your parents still live in the same house you grew up in?”