I howl as I try to make sense of what’s happened.
“Are you sure that’s what Eve meant?” Chloe eyes me from her perch on the sink countertop.
I’ve pulled her into the ladies’ room for a crisis meeting.
“I’m pretty sure, ‘You’re going to Italy to follow Mr. Rich and write a feature on project Vex,’ only has one interpretation.” I slouch against the wall, dropping my head to stare at my shoes. “I’m not a feature writer. I do the book recommendations.”
“You’re head of literary news.” Chloe fixes me with a stern look as she crosses her arms. “Who has been begging Eve at every team meeting for the past seven months for an opportunity to write a feature length piece. It’s a step closer to the promotion you want. Your own column, remember?”
“Yeah.” I scrub a hand over my face, probably ruining my make-up, but right now I don’t care what I look like. If I look a mess, then at least it’ll match the despair growing in my gut. “But I meant a feature related to books. Like an interview with the head of a publishing house or something. Or an indie author feature. Not a…” I fight back a shudder. “Not a month-long trip with Logan Rich.”
“At least he’s nice to look at. And fills out his suit pants well.”
I lift my eyes to meet Chloe’s and she smiles at me before rolling her eyes.
“Look. Eve chose you for a reason. She’s placing her trust in you to write an engaging article that will draw people in and make them excited. This new project of Logan’s is ground-breaking stuff, Maddy. It’s literally world-changing. You’ve been given a massive opportunity to get the first exclusive behind-the-scenes look at it. You’re going to see who’s funding it and speak to them and get quotes. You can write a candid delve into the inner workings of Logan’s mind.”
I snort.
“Look, you might not like the guy, but you need to forget that. He’s a genius in his field. Like a hot nerd, but not nerdy. Okay, he can come across a little… playful,” she adds as she catches my disgusted expression. “But you can’t let him get to you. Be professional. Let your words shine through in your article. This is huge for you. It could be career-changing. Nail this and Eve might give you another feature on a subject that you do want to write about.”
I straighten against the wall, sucking in a determined breath. “You’re right. This isn’t about him. This is about me showing Eve what I can do.”
Eve was so excited to call me into her office after Logan left. She was buzzing with more energy than a new vibrator as she told me he’d agreed to an exclusive behind-the-scenes interview. Vex is making waves in the science world. Even I can’t deny that he’s gotten people excited at the prospect of a rocket engine that works on one hundred percent biofuel.
I’m stumped as to why she was adamant I write it. She’s aware of my disdain for the man and knows Logan has a reputation as a serial-dater. Maybe she didn’t want to subject one of her staff to that and thought I would be immune. She’s onto a winner because there is no way I’ll be spending more time with him on this trip than is necessary. No way in hell.
I’ve always wanted to visit Italy. The architecture, the history. It’s all so beautiful and romantic. I’ll get free time to explore.
Count the positives, Maddy.
“That’s the spirit.” Chloe grins as she hops down from the counter and looks at my softening expression.
“Wait.” I dig around in my purse and pull out my keychain. “Here.” I hand her my spare key. “Use my place as much as you like while I’m gone. Get your sleep.”
Chloe’s eyes light up. “Really? I’ll pay you rent.”
“Don’t you dare even try. You’ll be helping me out. You can water the plants.”
“Are you sure?” Chloe pulls me into a hug.
“Yeah, we’re all winners this way,” I say, hugging her back. Although I’d pick having to endure other people’s snoring over having a month in close proximity with Logan Rich.
Still, count the positives. Italy… Sightseeing.
I follow her back into the office, feeling lighter. Eve said we leave in two days. And she’s given me tomorrow off to pack. The thought of seeing the Vatican has me giddy with anticipation. I’m going to download some guidebooks. And I’ll be able to finish my audiobook while I’m there, or on the plane over, because, well… I need to know how it all works out with the billionaire daddy.
This trip will be fun. I can visit places I’ve been dreaming of and take lots of photos to show Drew when I get home. And I can avoid Logan as much as possible. When we aren’t in meetings, he’ll probably be on those dating apps he uses all the time anyway. And all my expenses are paid for by the magazine. I’ll have my own hotel room. I’ll probably be with Logan a few hours a day max. All I’ll need to do is record the meetings and take notes to write up in the feature later.
Simple.
“Dad!” I screw my face up in exasperation as he presses the credit card into my palm. I’ve come to their house to say goodbye before I leave.
“Look, I’m not having my princess in a foreign country without some backups in place.” He kisses my forehead and the skin around his eyes crinkles as he pulls back.
I look at his proud face, then think better of upsetting him by protesting again. He’s just being a protective parent. I grab him into a hug, sinking my nose into his shirt collar below his salt and pepper hair, and inhale his musky cologne. It’s the one I bought him for his birthday when I was eleven. Drew and Mum have both bought him other ones since, but they all sit unopened in the bathroom cabinet. Instead, he asks me to buy him a new bottle of the same one every year for his birthday. It’s become our thing.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
I kiss his cheek and then deposit the card into my purse. It won’t have a limit, despite him being on a modest police sergeants’ salary. He’s always tried to give me anything I want, even if I’m reluctant to accept it and he likely can’t afford it. Pony riding lessons and piano lessons as a kid. Neither of which I was any good at. Then there were driving lessons. I took three attempts to pass my test. But I guess his confidence in me finally paid off when he put me through university and my degree, and I got my job at the magazine.
I’m saving to pay him back, despite him insisting he won’t accept it. But it makes me feel better. I’m getting there slowly, one month at a time. It’s a world away from the billions Logan makes. He told me he’ll pick me up from my house to go to the airport. Told. He didn’t ask if I had my own transport arranged before informing me that he’d collect me. This will be a long-ass month if he thinks he will be in charge.
“Hey.” I grin as Mum comes into the kitchen, followed by Drew.
I run over and into Drew’s outstretched arms, squeezing him hard. “All right, sis. Packed enough?”
He laughs at my giant stuffed suitcase.
“Half of it is work stuff.”
“Sure.”
Even knowing Logan will be here any second can’t affect my delight at seeing my brother. I’ll never understand why someone as great as Drew is friends with someone who used his father’s money to weasel his way out of punishment. Says a lot about a person’s character. I’m not naïve enough to think my dad doesn’t spoil me. But I appreciate it, and I’m working to pay him back.
I can’t say the same for Logan. He might be smart and talented. But he’s still had everything handed to him and had privileges that weren’t extended to people like Drew. Privileges that took my brother away from me for six months.
“This one is the next big features editor, just you watch,” Dad says, walking over to clasp my shoulder.
“Yeah.” Drew smiles at me proudly as the doorbell rings and Mum goes to answer it.
“And seeing Logan in action’s going to be exciting,” Dad continues. “That boy has done great things, the way he runs that business with Len. And Tanner, how is he?” Dad looks at Drew, acknowledging him for the first time since he walked in.
Drew clears his throat. “Tan’s good. He’s—”
“Always been a hard worker. Built that company from nothing. Outstanding, it really is,” Dad muses.
He strides off into the hallway after Mum as I open my mouth to correct him. Tanner might have built his company from nothing. But Drew was there by his side. They’re more like business partners than boss and employee. He’s great with people. The entire staff respect him.
Just not Dad.
“Leave it.” Drew’s eyes pinch at the corners before he slings an arm around my shoulders and steers me into the hallway and toward the front door. “I expect Dad already gave you enough emergency cash to fund a small country.”
He laughs as I wiggle my wallet with the new credit card inside in response. “Busted.”
“Good. So, all that’s left for me to do is tell you to be careful.”
“Drew.” I slide my arm around his waist and squeeze. “You know I will.”
“I know. But I also know how men think, Maddy. We’re pigs. Don’t go letting any of these wannabe Italian studs sweet talk you into anything you aren’t comfortable with.”
“As if,” I snort. I’m hardly the girl who gets guys falling at her feet. That was always my friends at school. And even if all the boys didn’t think I had crabs, courtesy of Logan, then I doubt things would have been much different. I’m the quiet girl that studied hard and liked books. And I’m good with that.
“I’m just saying,” Drew continues. “Never place your worth in a man or the way he treats you.”
“Thanks.” This is his brotherly love talking. He hates to see me hurt. He gave my first boyfriend a bloody nose after he kissed me and then told all his mates about it at school.
We walk outside, and I fight not to roll my eyes at the over-the-top flashy car with a driver that’s pulled up at the curb. Logan’s leaning against it in a deep charcoal suit, arms crossed over his broad chest, eyes full of mirth, and a smug smile.
My hand aches to smack it off his face.
The curtains two doors down twitch. Logan doesn’t miss it, puffing his chest out and waving to our neighbor, Mrs. Templeton. She’s going to have fuel for neighborhood gossip for the rest of the month at this rate. He loves the attention. He usually comes over in one of his noisy-engine supercars. But today, he’s stepped it up one notch further.
I give his driver a polite smile as he takes my suitcase and places it in the trunk of the car.
“Your chariot awaits, Princess,” Logan says with a smirk as he opens the back door for me.
“Who does that make you? Prince Charming?”
Logan chuckles, and I narrow my eyes at him before I turn and hug Mum, Dad, and Drew goodbye again. Then I walk past him to climb into the car.
“This next month is going to be fun, Mads.” He grins through the doorway at me as I sink into the cool leather seat.
Drew walks over, and Logan straightens up, clapping his palm on my brother’s back as they hug, exchanging words in lowered voices. All I catch is, ‘Look after her’ from Drew, and the end of Logan’s response, something about not needing to worry, and then the final words of ‘When have I not?’
They look thick as thieves, and I bite my tongue from commenting how I don’t need to be looked after, especially by a man-child who struggles to be serious.
Logan slides into the car next to me and grins. “Hope you know Italian.”
“I’ll manage.” I cross my arms, wishing I’d downloaded a translation app. I’ve been so busy packing I forgot. It can wait until we get there now. There’s no way I’m giving Logan any more reasons to be smug if he sees me do it now.
His thigh presses up against mine as he settles into his seat. I scoot away, giving us both more room, and turn to wave out of the back window at Mum, Dad, and Drew’s shrinking forms.
When I turn back around, Logan is watching me, his green eyes bright. “Do you want to start now? Ask me questions for your article?”
I’d rather clean out a rat’s cage with my tongue. But instead, I take a breath and plaster what I hope is a professional expression on my face as I pull my voice recorder from my purse and press record. Might as well get the basics down. I can write the intro up when we get to Milan, which is our first stop. That way, I might get some time off tomorrow after Logan’s first meeting.
“Sure. Why don’t you start by telling me how you came up with the idea for the new engine? Some people will think it’s your father’s idea and you’re taking the credit.”
Logan laughs. His eyes crease at the corners and he sweeps a hand back through his thick, light brown hair. I thought he’d be pissed at my suggestion, which I literally just thought of this second to rile him. But he’s amused.
He looks at me, his eyes glowing.
“Oh, Smiles. I can see we’re going to have lots of fun together, you and me. You’ll not go easy on me, huh?”
“Like you’d ever deserve me going easy on you.”
He laughs again, missing the hostility in my tone. “Write it was all my dad’s idea if you like. It doesn’t matter.”
I eye him curiously. Maybe he isn’t always such a big-headed jerk.
“What matters is that it’s going to be the greatest engine that was ever designed,” he says, stretching his hands behind his head, his signature smug smile firmly back in place.
Okay, that hope was short-lived.
I roll my eyes as I move onto the next question.
