Merina MacGregor, now going by the name Summer McNeil, sat eating lunch with her friend, Ana Davies. They knew each other from boarding school. Since then, they’d confided everything in each other. Summer glared at her food as she stabbed her salad. She brushed her short, dark hair away from her cheek. “I don’t recognize him anymore. He’s not the guy I remember. He’s a complete asshat for a boss. It’s been a week, and he’s a slave driver.”
“We’re talking Conner O’Keefe?” Ana asked. She set her fork down and watched Summer with a look of concern over her dark-rimmed glasses. Summer teased her about looking like the young librarian all the boys at school would chase. Ana didn’t see what Summer saw.
“Well, it’s not his father. His father calls to change what Conner has ordered. Then I must remind him to take it up with Conner. Because he hired me to work for Conner. I don’t feel right getting in their problems. Add to that, Conner hasn’t recognized me.” Summer tried to eat as she caught up with her red-haired friend on her time at O’Keefe Industries. They sat whispering to each other in a quiet restaurant, away from other patrons. Summer couldn’t afford anyone from O’Keefe Industries overhearing her conversation with Ana. Both women sat in the pleasant restaurant in corporate attire. Summer found it difficult to dress nondescript every day and not wear something too expensive for her personal assistant position. It became more difficult when Conner insisted she must attend formal work functions with him. He wasn’t paying for her evening clothes, and she struggled to keep her budget within her salary, which wasn’t simple since she wouldn’t see her first paycheck for weeks.
“It’s good, right? Merina. I mean Summer. It’ll take time to adapt, unfortunately. Don’t glare at me, girl, it’s only been a week.” Ana knew her as Merina during boarding school. They were home again. Both women were trying to establish themselves. When Summer first told Ana about her father’s demands. Ana thought Summer or her father, Andre MacGregor, was joking. Ana hadn’t stopped showing concern for Summer’s safety and the possibility of her arrest. Which would happen if Conner discovered Summer’s identity.
“Yes, you’re aware I can’t afford someone overhearing that mistake. They could have me arrested for corporate espionage and using a false identity. Please be careful.” Summer whispered this. She hid her mouth from everyone behind with her hand. Summer acted like she hid a mouth full of food while she spoke. This restaurant emphasized manners and privilege along with excellent food. In her position, as Conner O’Neil’s personal assistant, Summer wouldn’t eat at this restaurant because she couldn’t afford to eat there, and Ana would not be a friend of hers. They wouldn’t mingle in the same circles or meet. As a personal assistant, Summer wouldn’t make enough money to live the lifestyle needed to eat there.
“I don’t understand why your father insisted on you proving your worth. Whose father does that? It’s like he’s trying to get rid of you without killing you. It’s rude if you ask me.” Ana had a keen sense of fairness.
What Summer’s father insisted she do was so far from legal. Ana had called his decision an abuse of his power. He was using Summer to avoid the prosecution himself for spying. By forcing her to take the risk and blame if someone caught her. Summer agreed with Ana. If Summer wanted to take her place within the family’s business. She must prove to her father she’d go above and beyond to protect MacGregor Industries, a direct competitor and family enemy of the O’Keefe family.
“My father’s too desperate to stop what’s going on. We’re losing money every day to corporate sabotage. I warned him I couldn’t find any evidence. I don’t see Conner as the dishonorable type. But I’m questioning that belief now after I’ve seen how Conner’s changed. But the report which crossed my desk this morning.” Summer shook her head, remembering the report. “It detailed how O’Keefe Industries has suffered from similar attacks. I’m more confused about who’s attacking both companies. The attacks appear identical, as if they’re using the same plan for both companies.” Someone needed to discover the guilty party, despite Summer’s hatred. It fell on Summer because her father wouldn’t listen to reason in how he hated Conner’s father. At one time, their fathers and families were inseparable. For an unknown reason, the two families separated. Following that, they became rivals in all aspects.
“Well, if that’s the case, you can use that knowledge to your advantage. Tell your father and Conner, I’m sure they can use it to find out who the real criminal is.”
Ana wished for Summer to leave her current position and pass it onto the men who created it. Let them bear the repercussions. Yet, Summer understood she would bear the blame and potential legal consequences. All so she could secure a position within her family’s business.
“Ana, they will never cooperate again. I know this for a fact. My father won’t believe me, and he’s insisting I find something that points toward Conner or his father’s guilt.” Summer said. She shook her head even as she shoveled another forkful of salad into her mouth.
“What are you going to do?” Ana had run out of suggestions to give Summer. Even though Summer didn’t ask for help to solve her problems. She’d gotten into this, and she’d get out of it with success in solving everyone’s problem. She’d have a place secured in her family business, too. Even if, she could never get back her friendship with the gorgeous Conner O’Keefe.
“I don’t know. I cannot fabricate a falsehood. Everything will worsen and guilty people may escape justice. His father tasked Conner with finding the guilty party by his father. I’ll stay to learn what Conner discovers, then I’ll return to my father with a name to confront them. I just hope it’ll be in time to save both businesses.” Conner was the son of her father’s ex-friend and, at one point, both families expected them to marry and blend the two families into one. Until they ended their longstanding friendship.
“That’s a tall order, Summer. But I also know you. You have intelligence and a wide range of capabilities. You transformed a bunch of spoiled haters into devoted friends. Just handle him the same way. What’s on your agenda this afternoon? Ana shifted in her chair. Unlike Summer, Ana’s body was curvy and considered plus sized for her short stature. She had problems sitting at most tables and often complained about feeling like she’d never grown out of her childhood body. Summer always reminded her she’d not needed a bra back then. Which made Ana snort with derision.
“Conner will make changes. We know it. I’m stuck trying to avoid any recognition. He’s insisted that I attend another social event this evening. Which gets me back to why I asked you to lunch. I’m sorry, if he doesn’t change his mind, I’ll miss another girl’s night out.” He surpassed the women Summer knew in his indecisiveness, expecting everyone to adapt. It annoyed her to the point she wanted to scream. But she’d bite her tongue and do her best. She half expected to find out he deliberately did it to annoy her into quitting her new job.
“You’ve not attended a girl’s nights since we’ve returned. It’s because of Conner or your father. When will you have your own life?” Offended by the men around Summer.
“Your guess is as good as mine. I haven’t got a clue. I feel like a candle they’re burning from both ends.” Summer didn’t look any happier about it than Ana.
“Not worth it. If people found out about your father’s involvement, they’d condemn him. Just retrieve the proof and leave. What if Conner remembers who you are and assumes you’re guilty of the sabotage? I doubt the courts would blame your father. They’ll see you as the guilty party and you’ll go to jail.” Ana hated how Summer took all the risks and never resisted. She gave Summer the reminder.
“I’m sure Mr. O’Keefe Senior will assume I’m the criminal. I don’t think I’ve seen him happy about anything since I arrived there for my interview.” Summer nodded to Ana with her agreement. There wasn’t anyone willing to see reason or help her if she got into trouble.
“Yes, I remember you saying you couldn’t work for him. Then you panicked when you found out you were working for Conner. It didn’t become better when he did not recognize you. I still say you look unrecognizable in that wig. Short, dark hair changes your look,” Ana said. She admired Summer for how versatile her appearance was.
“Damn it. My time lunch is ending. I must get back to the office before Conner reprimanded me. I’ll call tomorrow. We can talk more. You can fill me in on what I missed. The alarm on Summer’s phone went off, and she flipped it over. She stopped eating and wiped her mouth with the napkin from her lap.
“You better call or I’ll be calling you to learn everything I can. You’re better than anything that’s on television right now.” Threatened Summer in a friendly manner as she wagged a finger at her.
“Please keep this to yourself. The fewer people are aware, the safer I’ll be,” Summer expressed. Her words begged her friend.
“I agree. Love you, babes. Take care. I’ll handle the bill when I leave.” She stayed seated while Summer stood.
“I’ll get the next lunch.” Summer said. She promised this and she would.
“Of course you will. Later.” Ana gave her a half wave and smile as Summer left the table for the restaurant’s exit.
Conner waited for his personal assistant to return from lunch. She arrived on time. She’d familiarized herself with the office within a week. He’d been there for two months and didn’t know the office layout. He had to compensate for his father’s incessant demands. A month ago, he’d foisted a girlfriend on him. The woman was his father’s friend’s daughter, whom he started working with earlier this year. She was pretty enough, and she fell into bed with Conner far too easy for his liking, but it scratched an itch. If he was careful, she wouldn’t trap him into anything he didn’t want. Every time he spent time with her, his instincts told him something was off. He just didn’t know what was wrong with the situation and his father became offended on behalf of his new business partner when Conner mentioned he wasn’t interested in her. So, he’d been taking his new personal assistant with him to functions to stick it to his father. But Conner cou
When Summer left Conner’s office, she had several things she needed to manage. Finally, she left the message from Conner’s father on his desk, informing her she was uninvited to the business dinner. She pointed it out to Conner and told him she didn’t want to be the reason Conner had with his father. Could he speak to him and clear this up? Then tell her what they’d decided. The look on Conner’s face was one Summer was glad hadn’t focused on her, but his father. It wasn’t an expression she’d ever seen him wear before, and it added to how much he’d changed from the pre-teen Conner she remembered. Where did the boy who teased her for having a sunburned nose when he hid her hat in the hollow of a tree one summer afternoon? Or the boy who insisted they dance to the music filtering out of the conservatory one evening when her parents were hosting an evening event? That had happened before their mothers passed away in a car accident. Summer re
[CHAPTER STARTS AT THE END OF THE MEETING BETWEEN CONNER AND SUMMER IN HIS OFFICE] “Before I go, here are your messages in priority. However, this one is about the event and I’m afraid it’s addressed to me, but I’m not able to respond to it. I think you may do more and faster about it.” Summer leaned over and placed several messages in front of Conner and tried to broach the subject of one. Conner tried not to watch the low neckline of her blouse fall forward. Damn, the woman had on a lacy pale blue bra under her pale blue blouse. Conner wanted to know if her panties matched her bra. He bet they did, and it would only get better if she wore those thigh-high stockings. He’d love the feel of them on his thighs as he took her. Now he needed to get a grip on himself. How could he work like this? “Who’s it from and about what?” Conner thanked his lucky stars. The connection between his brain and mouth was intact, and he could still conduct a business discussion with
“What do you mean?” Ian said. He tried to sound stern as he demanded Conner give him an explanation about what he meant. “I mean, she can do her job fine. She does it without complaint so far. She’s never late or gives me excuses why she hasn’t completed something. Ms. McNeil doesn’t ask prying questions like Gabriella. But she’s a distraction by just existing in the space I breathe. Before they cross too many boundaries, I can’t have her around much longer.” Ian could hear Conner struggling to find a reason to fire her and failing. Conner didn’t hear his words and how smitten he was with his little personal assistant. “Does she know that?” There it was. Conner felt attracted to the woman. Ian couldn’t deny her captivating aura. Age hindered him, not Conner, from pursuing a woman so young. Gabriella was asking prying questions. Ian wanted to learn more about that. “What was Gabriella asking?” Ian suspected some things weren’t as they seemed. But he
Summer slipped out of the office an hour early. It gave her little time to shop Conner wanted, or she needed. She wasn’t a fool; she worked smarter, not harder. Summer had to decide whether to buy everything herself before the plane departed. Then she’d hire someone to do it. Or use her family’s personal shopper to her advantage. All she needed to do was call the stores, set up for her personal shopper to pick the items up and pay over the phone with the card Conner gave her for the expenses. Just two stores refused her request. She’d have to go in person. Thankfully, one shop was in the same mall as the dress shop she needed. When she arrived at the dress shop, Summer had every she needed. She lacked patience for an encounter with Gabriella in the store. Summer’s hand was on the door handle when she noticed Gabriella inside. Cursing under her breath, she had to do some quick thinking. She pulled her phone from her coat pocket and called
Summer was in traffic when her father called. With a sigh, she told the car assistant to answer the call. “Good evening, Father. To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?” He never called if he didn’t have a reason to call. Andre MacGregor changed after his first wife died. “I don’t appreciate your lip, young lady. Where are you that you’re acting like that?” “I’m standing on the intersection of Main Street and Jefferson Boulevard trying to find a date.” “Merina MacGregor. You better not be…” “Be what, father? Oh, please. I’m joking. I’m stuck at a traffic light and I’m behind the wheel. What do you want, Father? I’m unable to talk to you.” Summer knew that she’d made a mistake when she said that, because it gave her father a chance to lecture her on whatever problem her stepmother imagined Merina’s mere existence caused. All Merina needed to do was breathe in Lillian MacGregor’s direction to do something worthy of a lectur
Could Summer make it home, pack, and reach the airport on time without Gabriella? The woman didn’t work unless she pretended to assist her daddy. She called her father, daddy, in a little girl’s voice. This made Summer shudder in disgust. Gabriella was a dark-skinned beauty. Summer admits Gabriella could have modeled. Unlike Summer, who still could be mistaken for a boy from the wrong angle. She gained weight, which filled out some of Summer’s curves. Gabriella did not need to take action. Clothing fitted her off the rack. Summer was short. Her head came to Conner’s shoulder, while Gabriella stood eye-to-eye with him. They were opposites of each other. Summer wore dark hair right now, but it was a wig. Her hair, if she allowed it to go its natural color, was almost orange in bright sunlight. Girls would tease her because her skin, though freckled, practically glowed in the dark. She’s the girl that boys would dare to ask if the drapes matched the carpet. So, th
Summer’s highlight when they arrived at the hotel was, she found Conner’s father had rented several corporate suites. She had assumed she’d have a room on a different floor. But that wasn’t the case. Summer meant less privacy but more work time. Because she’d share a suite with Conner, which meant she shared a bathroom with the man. It was only a few nights. She could get through it. She needed to avoid triggering Conner’s memories of their past. Maybe he’d forgotten more than she remembered? Summer knew that was a dream. Her day filled up with taking notes at meetings, ordering food, and ensuring both Conner and Ian O’Keefe had everything they needed. Ian’s assistant called before the flight, saying they couldn’t go because of a relative’s hospitalization. Their relatives needed them by their bedside. Summer didn’t complain. In fact, Ian didn’t request or demand her help. She stepped in and assisted him. After a day of meetings and disc