One

Minnie

“I’m super-confused,” Lila says in a slow voice. “So you’re working at your stepdad’s office for the summer, except he’s not your stepdad anymore because he and your mom are divorced.”

“Right,” I nod while throwing some toiletries into a suitcase. “I think the divorce is done, except for the property division. So Joelle and Brad are legally single now, except they still have to figure out what my mom gets money-wise from the marriage.”

Lila purses her lips, her blue eyes still confused.

“Okay, so they’re divorced. But why are you working for him this summer then? Especially since the split was contentious?”

I throw my friend a wry smile.

“Girlfriend, the word “contentious” would be a euphemism. I think the words “dumpster fire” and “clusterfuck” would be more accurate to describe the current situation. But the long and the short of it is that Brad hooked me up with this summer job before things really hit the skids between him and my mom, and I think he’s forgotten about the job offer, to be honest.”

Lila shakes her head, her long blonde hair moving about her shoulders.

“Still, this sounds like it could go south. Even if he has forgotten, can’t you just find another job? Like volunteer at the library, or scoop ice cream at Free-Z Taste? Their lines are out the door during the summer, and I know you could get a position there.”

I put my hands on my hips and stare at my buddy.

“Lils, do I look like the kind of woman who’d put on a pink striped uniform and big, mushroom shaped hat while scooping ice cream for kids? Hell no! I’m going to work in an office with air conditioning, ergonomic desk chairs, and Solitaire. Solitaire is how I’m going to get through the summer. That, and Candy Crush. Besides, Excel Properties is paying me. It’s not that much per hour, but it’s better than Free-Z Taste, for sure.”

Lila just bites her lip and shakes her head again.

“Wow. You are bold, girlfriend. But eight hours of Candy Crush? That sounds crazy. Will you be doing any work for them at all?”

I put down a folded sweater with an exasperated look at my friend.

“Of course I’m going to do some work. I mean, even I can’t play Candy Crush for eight hours a day. Or maybe I can,” I add with a cheeky grin. “But basically, this is my plan: I’m going to stroll in at 10 a.m. wearing cute office clothes, check my work email, answer said emails, and then go out for lunch. During lunch break, I’ll get my nails done which means I’ll be back in the office by 2 p.m. or so. Then, I’ll do some actual work, whatever it is, and before you know it, it’ll be 5 p.m. Easy-peasy. No big deal.”

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.