CHAPTER 7: THE INTERNSHIP FROM HELL

Maya

I stand there for a long moment, the red dress hanging limp in my hand, the email glowing bright on my phone screen. The tequila is still warm in my stomach, but the buzz has faded, replaced by a jolt of something that feels like panic mixed with excitement.

Chloe pushes herself off the couch, walking over to stand beside me. She reaches out and taps the screen with her finger. “Apex Industries. Philip Davenport’s company. He requested you be on his team. Do you think he did that on purpose?”

“I don’t know.” I set the dress down on the armchair, sinking back onto the couch and pulling my knees to my chest. “Why would he? He knows I hate him. He knows I think he ruined my family.”

“Maybe he wants to prove you wrong. Maybe he thinks if you work with him, you’ll see he’s not a bad guy.” She sits down beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. “Or maybe… maybe he’s not as immune to you as he wants to pretend.”

I think about the way he looked at me last night–his eyes dark, his hand hovering just inches from my arm, the way his voice dropped when he said I didn’t know what I was starting. My skin prickles at the memory, and I push the feeling down hard.

“It doesn’t matter why he did it,” I say, my voice steady now. “This is exactly what I need. If I’m working for him, I’ll have access to everything—his schedule, his meetings, his life. I’ll be able to get close enough to make him fall for me. To make him choose me over my mom.”

“Maya, this is a terrible idea.” Chloe pulls back to look at me, her eyes serious. “You’re talking about working for the man you’re planning to seduce…who’s engaged to your mother. What happens if you actually catch feelings for him? What happens if he catches feelings for you? This isn’t a game you can just walk away from.”

“I won’t catch feelings.” I stand up, pacing back and forth across the living room. “This is about getting my family back together. That’s all it is. I’ll be professional at work—do my job, make him trust me. Then, when the time is right, I’ll make my move. He’ll fall for me, my mom will find out, and she’ll leave him. Easy.”

“Nothing about this is easy.” She stands up too, blocking my path. “What about Noah? You’ve been with him for two years. Are you just going to throw that away?”

I stop pacing, looking at her. Noah. I’d almost forgotten about him, he’d texted me three times last night asking where I was, then sent one this morning that just said We need to talk. I haven’t replied yet.

“Noah and I… we’re not working out.” I run a hand through my hair, feeling tired suddenly. “He’s never there for me. He’s always at work, always thinking about his next promotion. He doesn’t see me, not the way Philip looked at me last night.”

“See? That’s exactly what I’m talking about.” She throws her hands up in frustration. “You’re already thinking about him like that. This isn’t going to end well.”

“I can handle it.” I walk past her to the kitchen, pouring myself a glass of water. The cold liquid feels good against my throat. “I have to try, Chloe. For my dad. For my mom. For us.”

She follows me into the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a sigh. “Okay. Fine. But you have to promise me one thing, if this starts to get too much, if you start to get hurt, you’ll walk away. No questions asked.”

“I promise.” I reach across the counter and squeeze her hand. “And I’ll need your help. I’m going to need someone to talk to, someone to help me plan this out. You’re the only one I can trust.”

She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling now. “Of course I’ll help you. Even though this is the craziest thing you’ve ever done. And that’s saying something…remember when you dyed your hair green and tried to sneak into a concert in a trash can?”

I laugh, real laughter this time, the first I’ve had in days. “Okay, that was a different kind of crazy. This is… calculated. Strategic.”

“Strategic my ass.” She grins, grabbing her purse from the couch. “I’m going to go home and get some sleep. But we’re meeting tomorrow for brunch. Babe we need to make a real plan. And Maya? Wear something comfortable. We’re going to be here a while.”

She leaves, and I’m left alone in my quiet apartment. I walk back to the couch and pick up my phone, scrolling through my texts until I find Noah’s name. I type out a reply: I’m sorry I didn’t text back. I had a rough night. Can we talk tomorrow? Then hit send before I can change my mind.

His reply comes almost immediately: Sure. Let’s meet me at our usual spot at 2.

I set the phone down and walk to the window, looking out at the city.

It’s early morning now—the sun is just starting to rise, painting the sky pink and gold over the skyline. I think about Apex Industries…their building is the tallest one downtown, the glass facade reflecting the light like a mirror. In three days, I’ll be walking through those doors, walking into Philip’s world.

The thought should scare me. It does scare me, but it also makes something in my chest tighten in a way that feels like excitement. Like I’m about to do something dangerous and thrilling and completely out of my control.

I spend the rest of the day getting ready, washing the red dress, ironing the suit I plan to wear on Monday, making a list of everything I know about Philip Davenport from what I’ve read online. He’s fifty-one, founded Apex Industries twenty years ago after working his way up from nothing. He was married once before, to a woman named Victoria Martinez, they divorced ten years ago, no kids. He donates millions to charity, plays golf every Saturday morning, and collects vintage cars.

That night, I can’t sleep. I lie in bed staring at the ceiling, thinking about the plan, about Noah, about Philip. My phone buzzes at midnight—another text from Chloe: Just ordered you a new laptop bag and some work clothes. They’ll be there Monday morning. Also—you’re literally walking into temptation. Just saying.

I smile, typing back: Good, thank you.

I set the phone down and close my eyes, but the image of Philip standing by the window at the party won’t leave me—his dark eyes, his steady hands, the way his voice dropped when he warned me about what I was starting. I know Chloe’s right, I’m walking straight into temptation. But for the first time in months, I feel like I know exactly what I’m doing.

I just hope I’m strong enough to see it through.