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I eyed the cards, then exchanged looks with Meg and Emily, who leaned against the counter, eating their scrambled eggs.
Will swept the cards with a glance. “I know about them. They’re not going to hire Richard Randolph’s son.”
“You’re disowned now, man!” Spence put in. “At least one of them will love pissing off your dad.”
“I don’t want to do anything more on Richard’s back,” Will said firmly.
“Come on,” Pax said. “We’re trying to cut you a break. No man is an island. You want to take care of your girl, right? Get your own place…go out…have fun…” He winked at me. “What do you think, Andrea? Should Will call them?”
“Pax, stop flirting with my girlfriend,” Will said, but he didn’t sound too upset.
“Girlfriend,” Spence muttered, whistling. “Damn.”
“It’s worth a try,” I said.
* * *
Will was right. The first two people he contacted had no interest in hiring Richard Randolph’s son.
But the third had heard the gossip: the scion of the Randolph media empire, the only son, was disowned. He was curious. He told Will that he didn’t expect much of him, but he’d give him a chance. For a trial period, he’d have to prove himself and work twice as hard as everyone else.
News traveled quickly. After Will’s first day at work, Richard contacted him with another threat. If he didn’t leave his new job — and me — and report for work at Richard’s office the next day, my parents would find out the truth about us.
So I called them first.
My father was shocked, but said little. In the end, what seemed to surprise him most was that I got together with Will after he’d walked away from his family fortune. If the money isn’t in the picture, Andie, what on earth do you want with him?
My mother had more to say.
“Andie, how are you? I hear there’s trouble in paradise,” she exclaimed when I called. Her voice was warm and gossipy. “Rose is in denial, Richard is on the rampage, and who knows where Will is.”
I let out a long breath. “He’s here.”
“Here?”
“In my apartment.”
“I see,” she said cautiously. “So you’ve gotten mixed up in all of this.”
I was walking through the neighborhood, June sunlight filtering onto my head and shoulders. I didn’t want Meg and Emily, or even Will, to overhear this conversation. The sidewalk was public, but I could be anyone. Trees in full leaf rustled overhead, and happy summer voices rushed around me.
I took a deep breath. “I lost my job for it. The one Richard got me.”
“What? That bastard!” my mother stormed. “I can’t believe he’d stoop so low. Are you all right? Do you need money?” Her voice sharpened with alarm. I knew my mother didn’t have extra to spare.
“I’m okay for now. I got a barista job and I’m looking. Will just got a good position. If it works out…” I trailed off.
“So he’d help you,” my mother said slowly. “I suppose that’s fair. But sheltering Will? I gathered that you’ve become friends, but is that really worth losing your job over?”
“Mom, we’re more than friends.”
There was a very long silence. “What do you mean?”
My fingers clenched on the phone. “I think you understand what I mean.”
“Andie, he’s your cousin.” My mom sounded choked. I wished we were face-to-face. “He’s spoiled, he’s led a life we can’t imagine, he’s — oh God. He’s your cousin.”
“Believe me, I know.”
