The Lying Season (Seasons #1) - K.A. Linde Page 0,6

mother had had to get him out of more than one scandalous situation. Plus, he ruined every campaign event at which he was in attendance. As if he had been prepped to self-destruct.

I rounded the corner, ready to find out what mayhem Court Kensington was causing, and my stomach dropped. There he was. With the inimitable Gavin King…and Sam.

Sam seemed animated, clearly in the middle of a story. He hadn’t seen me yet. And for a second, I just watched his expression. The easy grin that came to his face. The laugh that came from all three of them when he hit the end of the story. It was so effortless.

He was handling Court and Gavin like a pro. They didn’t even seem to know they were being handled. Sam had that way with people.

My heart thumped before I could remind it to stay professional. That I couldn’t deal with this right now. And it was going to be fine having Sam in the office for the next six months.

“All right,” Sam said with another laugh, “I have a meeting with Gibbs soon. I have to get back into the office. Good to meet you both.”

He shook hands with Court and Gavin. They all joked around for another minute, and then he disappeared into the legal department. I stepped out from where I’d surreptitiously been watching their interaction.

“Ah, looks like we’ve been caught,” Court said as he turned to face me. “Larkin St. Vincent, always a pleasure.”

“Hello, Court,” I said dryly. I nodded at his partner in crime. “Gavin.”

“Lark, my love,” Gavin said with a wink.

“I heard that you’re causing trouble again.”

Court shrugged and leaned back against the wall. He was the classic too-hot-for-his-own-good type. Everything about him exuded confidence and charisma until it turned on a dime.

“Does that sound like us?” Gavin asked. He was also devilishly handsome with dark hair shot through with red and keen, cunning eyes.

“Yes,” I said automatically.

Gavin came from old Texas oil money. He wasn’t Upper East Side rich, but considering his ancestors had found the oil in the Permian Basin, he had just as much power. He’d gone to Harvard with Court and his best friend, Camden Percy. I’d met him a few times since he’d taken over the New York branch of his family company, Dorset & King.

“What exactly are you two doing here?”

“We heard that you needed a new speaker for the banquet after Nina Warren had to drop out because of that Warren business scandal,” Court said easily.

He looked to me for a reaction, but I refused to give him one. I could play Upper East Side politics as well as he could.

“And?”

“Well, Gavin’s family is longtime friends with Jay Neville.”

“Oh, wow. You’re friends with Jay Neville?” I asked, momentarily lost in my political nerdom.

Jay Neville was the former deputy chief of staff in the White House and now a successful political consultant. He was a legend.

Gavin laughed. “Here I thought, I’d have to woo you with sweet platitudes. And it turns out, my connections win out. Yes, Jay lived next door to my cousin. I grew up with his daughters.”

“That’s incredible,” I said honestly. “You think he’ll speak?”

“Sure,” Gavin said with a wink. “Anything for you, love.”

Court shook his head and pushed Gavin backward a step. “Sorry to disappoint. You might be my friend, but you have no chance with Larkin St. Vincent. The St. Vincents wouldn’t sully their good name for you.”

My cheeks flushed as Court laid out my family as if it explained why someone like Gavin King had no chance with me. My family name ruining everything all over again.

“Thanks, dick,” Gavin said, punching Court in the shoulder.

I forced a laugh. I wasn’t actually interested in Gavin anyway. He might be good-looking and charming, but if Thomas was any indication, guys either wanted me for my money or thought they couldn’t get me because of my money. And the only guy who hadn’t known who I was had shattered my heart and was now working for me. Great.

“Okay, back to the point,” I said.

“We need to get in line?” Court guessed.

“Yes, please.” I pointed between them. “I’m not sure who is keeping whom in line, but figure it out.”

“That’d be me,” Gavin said with a grin.

“We’re doomed,” I muttered.

Both guys laughed, and as they headed toward the exit, I considered my job accomplished. I’d managed to get out of that situation with laughter instead of frayed nerves. It didn’t guarantee that either boy would actually behave,