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Chapter One
ELIZA
I’m rifling through my closet, trying to find a blouse that doesn’t scream “I slept in this” when my phone rings. It’s my sister, Fiona.
Quickly, I snatch the phone off the counter and answer it. “Hey, sis, what’s up?”
“Eliza, where are you?”
I pause, frowning slightly. “Home. Why?”
Fiona sighs through her nose. “The volunteer meeting is starting in ten minutes. You’re supposed to be here.”
Crap.
Every year, the Fit Mountain Opera puts on an annual performance to raise money for school music programs. And since my sister’s company, Parker & Sons, is a lead sponsor for the event this year, I decided to volunteer.
But with my new job, keeping track of everything has been hard.
“Fiona, I’m sorry. Things have been crazy at my job, and the meeting fell off my radar.”
“Well, how fast can you get here? Mom keeps asking where you are.”
I sigh. “I’m actually not going to be able to make it. A last-minute assignment that has to be done before Monday came up at work, and I need to go into the office.”
“You’re going into the office on a Saturday? I thought you worked remotely.”
“I usually do, but the Wi-Fi at my apartment is being wonky. I need to go in and use the office internet.”
I look around at the cozy clutter of my apartment—throw pillows strewn on the couch, dirty dishes in the sink, rejected outfits from this morning draped over a chair. Part of me would much rather stay in my little cocoon than face the corporate world on a weekend. But my boss needs me. And I can’t let him down.
“Eliza, is everything okay?” Fiona asks.
“Sure, why?”
“I don’t know. You’ve just been so secretive about your new job lately. I don’t understand why you won’t tell me what it is.”
I feel a pang of guilt. Fiona and I have always been close, sharing everything with each other. But this... this is different. She would flip out if she knew I was working for the CEO of our family’s biggest rival. And not only her—my whole family would lose their minds.
“Everything’s fine,” I reassure her. “I’ve just been busy.”
There’s a pause on the other end of the line, and Fiona’s tone softens. “You know you can always talk to me, right? About anything.”
“I know. And I appreciate it, I really do.”
Finally, she sighs. “Sorry if I’m being overbearing. I’ve just been stressed lately. Wes and I are working on the Alley Street bid, and those assholes at Donovan Enterprises keep giving us trouble.”
My stomach twists at the mention of Drew’s company, but I force a calm tone. “That sounds intense.”
“It really is.” Fiona’s voice is tight with frustration. “We’ve put together a solid proposal for revitalizing the old warehouses into modern lofts and retail spaces. But they keep undercutting us. They have deeper pockets and more resources, and we’re fighting an uphill battle. Plus, Wes is convinced they’ve got some insider info, which means someone’s not playing fair.”
“Well, if anyone can handle it, it’s you and Wes.”
“Yeah, well, fingers crossed, I guess.” Then she switches gears. “Are you still coming to opening night next Saturday?”
“Of course,” I reply automatically. “Today was just a blip. I wouldn’t miss opening night for the world.”
“You better not,” Fiona teases, her tone lightening. “Parker & Sons is the title sponsor, after all.”
