Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31741 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 159(@200wpm)___ 127(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Lila giggles with mirth.
“Actually, that sounds like the good life. Do you think you could hook me up with a job too?”
I giggle.
“Yeah, definitely. If you’re there, maybe we could even go in on a multiplayer game like Assassin’s Creed or something. Wouldn’t that be so fun? I bet the company has really fast internet, so we could log in and put together a team. I heard there are some really great players out of Indonesia. We could recruit them. I mean, yes, they’re all thirteen-year-old boys, but whatevs.”
My friend rolls her eyes.
“Oh my god, Mins, you’re so bad. Using company internet to play multiplayer games! And interacting with pre-teen boys too! Are you sure you’re actually a beautiful female college co-ed, and not some incel living in his room in Japan?”
I shoot her a smile.
“Hey, I can be into nails, hair, and girlie stuff while also having fun as a gamer. Why not?”
My friend just shakes her head again.
“Of course, Mins. But back to the real stuff: aren’t you afraid of bumping into your stepdad over the summer? I mean, even just once could be sooo awkward.”
I fix her with a look.
“Lila, it’s not going to happen. Excel Properties is a huge company. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of people working at headquarters alone. Besides, I’m going in as a summer intern, while Brad’s the CEO. I don’t think I’ll even see my former stepdad.”
My friend nods.
“Oh, because he’s in the executive wing whereas you’re in Cubicle-land with all the other interns, right?”
“Yeah, exactly,” I nod. “Plus, Brad probably travels all the time, liaising with shareholders, meeting politicians, and bribing important people with his deep pockets. You know that’s par for the course in the construction biz. Developers are all shady as hell, and I’m sure Brad Landry is no different. So yeah, I don’t think there’s a bat’s chance in hell of crossing paths with my ex-stepfather.”
Lila looks thoughtful.
“Well, when you put it that way ...”
I nod firmly while stuffing the last of my clothes into my suitcase.
“I definitely think it won’t happen. But what about you? Don’t you have a summer job lined up with your uncle? Don’t you need to pack?”
Lila blushes and suddenly turns back to her laptop.
“Yes, I do, and it’s with my step-uncle,” she says quickly. “He’s my mom’s stepbrother, so he’s not really my uncle.”
Something weird is vibing in the air and I shoot her a piercing look.
“Okay, but why does that matter? What are you hiding?”
“Nothing!” she squeals, cheeks flushing even more red. “I’m not hiding anything,” she protests. “But I just want to stress that he’s my mom’s stepbrother, and not biological brother.”
I squint.
“Yeah, but again, why does that even matter? I mean these are all old people, right? Who cares if he’s related to you by blood or water?”
Lila smiles quickly, acting nonchalant.
“Right, exactly,” she says in a breezy tone, obviously changing tactics. “These people are ancient. So old, in fact, that they practically need walkers to get around. But I’m happy for you, Minnie, because you’re going to have an awesome summer at Excel.”
Wow, Lila’s really desperate to change the subject, and I accede.
“You know it,” I say in a dry tone. “Can’t wait for the paychecks to start hitting my bank account because I’m broke.”
Lila gets up then, and gives me a big hug as I stuff the rest of my belongings into the suitcase.
“I’ll miss you,” she says sincerely with a big smile. “Keep in touch, okay? Call me.”
I wink at her while dragging my bag to the door.
“I will. Bye, girlfriend,” I say with a wave. “You have a good summer too.”
Then, I drag my bag to the elevator in the hall before pressing the down button. Lila’s a great friend, but she’s prone to anxiety, which is why I didn’t want to bring up some of my fears about my upcoming job. The truth is that Joelle and Brad aren’t going through a bad divorce; they’re going through total war. Even worse, I can’t afford to alienate my ex-stepfather because it’s actually his money paying for my education at Evergreen. Yes, my mom has a healthy salary as a nurse, but it’s not enough for four years of tuition, as well as room and board. So I need to find a path forward, even if it means cozying up to the gorgeous man of the house.
But how bad can it be? Brad Landry is a powerful, dominant businessman. He’s got the world at his fingertips, but I’ve learned that even the wealthiest men want something ... and I just have to find out what Brad’s weakness is.
2
Brad
“What the fuck?” I rage, throwing a sheaf of papers down on my desk. “Who the fuck does she thinks he is?”
My divorce attorney shoots me a grim smile.