I feel as if I’m going to battle for a job that I don’t think I really want. I don’t back down, though. If I want to prove myself to everyone, I need to start with him.

“I know the ins and out of this business. I may not have the experience that the other candidates will bring to the table, but I can bring knowledge and my willingness to learn. I can strive here, learning everything you teach me.”

He almost smiles. “Doctor Daniels is a dear friend of mine and my wife. He is the reason why you have this interview. He spoke very kindly of you, that you will succeed working here, given the chance. Your chance is this interview. Wow me, Ms. Maxwell.” He hands me a piece of paper.

There’s a brief description of the company, its products, sales, and inventory. As I study the information in my hands, I know immediately I can do this.

“You have three minutes,” he adds in a bored tone.

I only need seconds. It’s numbers. Numbers I can work with. I set the paper back on his desk and stand. “I’m ready.”

He waves his hand for me to start. I explain to him that the lingerie company is not utilizing the custom creations as much as they should. It’s brushed over, not their focal point. It’s something that gives them an edge compared to their competitors. They need to focus on growth as their one salon brings in more than enough to expand to another store. I spend another minute explaining their strengths before I give him my closing line.

“The market is there, they have done well this year. With numbers like that, I can see them expanding globally. They will have to want it, though.”

“Interesting.”

I almost deflate because I thought I nailed it, but then he smiles his first smile since I walked in.

“Everyone else needed ten minutes or more to point out what you noticed within seconds. I think Kohen was right about you, Ms. Maxwell.” He stands up and offers me a tour.

“This will be your office,” he says with a wave of a hand.

My office consists of a large desk, an empty bookcase that takes up the entire right wall, and two chairs in front of the desk. It’s small but perfect. The walls are all glass, making it appear both larger and smaller at the same time. I don’t have time to think about privacy because he’s leading me out of my office and over to Human Resources. He points out my co-workers. Only one, a tiny redhead, looks up from her computer long enough to wave to me. Everyone else nods in my direction.

After an hour and a half of paperwork, my hand cramps. It isn’t until after I talk to my boss Sam at the bakery, that I’m actually excited about my new life change. He isn’t mad that I’m leaving. If I ever want a job all I have to do is ask. Now, I can actually say I’m looking forward to tell my brother and Liv. As the cab idles at the curb of her building, I have to stop myself from running into her office and gushing to Logan that I have a grown-up job. He can’t treat me like a kid any longer.

My nerves reappear when I see Logan on his iPad in the waiting room, ignoring his surroundings. I wonder how he’ll take the news. I don’t want to fight with him. Hopefully he will see me as an adult and I can convince him that I don’t need him taking care of me anymore. Yeah, that will go over well.

I patiently wait for him to notice my presence. By patiently, I mean tapping my foot of course. When that doesn’t work to get his attention, I clear my throat. I’m rewarded with him setting down the iPad.

“Are you going to ask me why I’m excited or not?”

“I’m assuming your good mood is why you changed up today’s schedule.”

Barely taking time to breathe I say, “I had an interview and you are now looking at the new assistant at Malcara Enterprises. I already put in my two weeks at the bakery before heading over here.”

He leaps to his feet within the next breath. “You can’t accept a job from me, but you’re working at Malcara Enterprises? I wouldn’t have you working as an assistant.” He spits out assistant as if it’s a bad word.

I may not really want this job, but I’m proud that I landed it, especially since I have no experience. I nailed the interview. I knew Logan wouldn’t be thrilled, but I thought he would at least pretend to be happy.

“I thought you would understand. I thought this is what you wanted. You’re the one who wants me to have a real job.” He opens his mouth, but I talk over him. “Working at the bakery wasn’t good enough. Now being the assistant of William Malcara isn’t good enough. What will be good enough for you, Logan?”

Two other patients and the receptionist eaves drop. I’m making a scene, but I don’t care. I’m tired of him controlling me. If I was more level headed, I would stop, but I can’t. I thought this would make him happy, maybe eventually I can be happy working there until I figure out what I really want to do. I want to do something with my life that I’m passionate about, but I’ve yet to find it.

“I just want what’s best for you. If you want a job, you have one. You can work with Connor and learn firsthand what he does to keep our company striving.”

I put my hands on my hips so he knows I’m serious. “I don’t want to work for you guys. I see enough of you three as it is. I want to succeed on my own.”

He mocks my stance. At 6’5’’ to my 5’4’’, he’s much more intimidating with his hands on his hips than I am.

“I want you to succeed, too. Work for Trinity, Adalynn.”

“No. I’m working for Malcara.” I shake my head at whatever argument he’s going to start. “Just be happy for me, Logan. I nailed the interview and landed a job at the best marketing firm.”

“Second best.”

I groan. My overbearing brother can be hard to handle sometimes. I cross my hands over my chest waiting for him to say something else that will dampen my mood. After a beat, Logan engulfs me into a hug.

“You’re right. I’m sorry.” He bends his knees so were at eye level. “I just want you to be happy. If working for Will or even for Sam will make you happy, then I want you to do it.”

I nod.

“I’m so proud of you, Addie. I’ll call the guys and we can celebrate tonight!”

My tight smile fades when I hear “the guys.” As much as I want to celebrate, it will crush me if Jax doesn’t show. He’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. He hasn’t missed a big event yet, and I don’t want this to be the first.

“No, no, don’t. Let’s not make a big deal or anything until I actually finish a work week.”

His phone is already in his hand and he’s typing away, but he pauses to look at me. I need to think of something, fast.

“I mean, we’re already playing poker tonight at Connor’s so you can get me a cupcake or something to hold you over for two weeks.”

Before he can say anything, I’m called into Liv’s office. I fight the urge to give the receptionist a high five. Perfect timing as always. I nod so she knows that I’ll be there in a minute before facing my brother again.

“Can we please not make a big deal out of this?” I give him the sad doe eyes.

He sighs dramatically as if I just asked for him to hand over the world to me. “Fine, you win. I won’t make a big deal about it . . . yet. I’ll see if Jax can change his plans tonight so we can have a small celebration.”

I fidget with the strap of my purse. “I thought you said you’ll wait?”

“I’ll wait to throw you a real celebration, but there’s no way in hell that we’re not acknowledging this with a small one. This is a big deal, sis, even if you are working for the enemy.”

He puts his arms on my shoulders and forcibly turns me toward the office door before I can say anything else. Perfect timing on his part because I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to keep my pain masked by a fake smile. I know without a doubt that Jax won’t be there. Even though this is something that I should have gotten used to by now, it’s still impossibly hard. Will I ever get used to not seeing Jax? Will I ever be okay with him blowing off big events like this? No, I highly doubt that anything involving Jax will get any easier.