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The Scheme

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Prologue

The woman was beautiful. She looked like a supermodel ready to walk the runway. The blackest of black eyelashes swept upward, accenting the depths of her emerald eyes. Curls of mahogany sat on top of her head while the apple of her cheeks were highlighted with a slight pink as if the sun had kissed her.

I should have been excited. I should have been anxious.

But as my heartbeat thrashed in my ears, all I felt was dread.

I sat on the stool, staring at the girl in the mirror. I wondered who this girl was. I wondered where the old girl had gone and how I could get her back. The problem was I couldn’t. The lie was so deep, the charade so long that there was nowhere else to go, but to move forward.

It was an out-of-body experience as the chaos of the circus around me was happening. I hardly noticed the woman in front of me as she swished her little brush of pink gloss on my pouty lips.

Everybody was getting ready for the big day.

 
My big day.
 
Four photographers were scattered around the room, catching every moment and every detail from the shoes to the invitation to the flowers.
 

Orchids.

Orchids didn’t give off a scent like every other flower. Too much water would drown them. Not enough sunlight would kill them. They were useless and high maintenance.

So, when the florist had asked me what kind of flowers I would like for my bouquet, I’d said, “Orchids.”

It was the flower I despised the most. It wasn’t because of its lack of beauty or its uselessness, but I didn’t want anything that I would pick for my real day.

The photographers moved to the king-sized bed, and they snapped pictures of the regal designer wedding gown. This was another thing I never would have picked for myself. I remembered my last fitting. I had barely squeezed into the strapless couture dress. I would never choose a dress that I couldn’t walk, dance, or eat in. I hated it, and that was the reason I’d picked it.

My stomach growled from starvation. I’d had no appetite the night before, and today Kendy, my maid of honor, wouldn’t allow me to eat. It was so unlike her. I guessed it was for my benefit because I could barely fit into my dress. Either way, my stomach was eating itself because it had nothing else to feed off of.

The time went by slowly as if it were dragging on purpose to punish me for living the biggest lie of my life. Everyone always said their wedding day had flown by. This day was killing me, killing me softly and slowly.

All I wanted was for it to be over, but the day had just begun.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. If I can only get through this day…this one day…

I just needed to get through today.

One Financial Bank stood in the heart of the financial district in downtown Chicago. Directly in front of my new office building, I peered up at the magnificent architectural masterpiece of glass windows encompassing all seventy-five floors and smiled the biggest smile ever. This was exactly where I wanted to be. All those late nights spent studying in the library and working random jobs to pay for school had gotten me to this point and in front of this big, bad bank.

I took the deepest breath of my life, made my way through the revolving doors, and stopped at the security desk. I took in my surroundings. Men and women, all dressed in their pressed dark suits, emerged through the revolving doors, most with a Starbucks coffee in hand. I straightened my skirt, pulled at my navy suit jacket, and exhaled a sigh of relief.

I made it. I’m meant to be here. Finally, somewhere I fit right in.

***

“You’ll have a lot of team meetings next week to discuss the pipeline and also online training. I’ll put everything in your calendar, so you’ll know.” Renee, my new manager, stepped from the elevator and I followed behind her.

Low cubicles spanned the length of the office area. It was already eight fifteen in the morning, and everyone was busy at their desks, typing away on their computers. I made a mental note to make it to work earlier. I wanted to be one of the first people in the office, not the trailing last that shouted slacker. I had never been one, and I wasn’t going to start now.

A grin was fixed on my face, and I could feel my cheeks hurting already.

“This place is intense, but you’ll like it here. We work hard, and you young people play hard,” Renee said.

My smile widened and inside I was singing at the top of my lungs.

“I’m excited,” I told her, not like she couldn’t already tell.

Everyone’s eyes followed me as I walked behind Renee. I met their stares and smiled slightly toward them, but I kept my ear-to-ear cheeky grin to myself. I didn’t want to scare people away.

Renee introduced me to the group—my team. “Everyone, this is Bethany Casse, our new underwriter. She’s a fresh graduate from Indiana State University.”

One by one, my team stood from the seats in their cubicles to introduce themselves. I shook each person’s hand firmly and learned that my division consisted of bankers on the sales team and another underwriter, like myself. Where the bankers were in the business to wine and dine and get more clients, underwriters were in the business to assess the risk of the deals the bankers made.

“Welcome, Beth.” Jim, the head banker on my team, shook my hand before immediately turning to Renee. “Renee, are you available tomorrow? Plack Industries has a request on the table.”

He’d barely taken notice of me, and my smile faltered as he moved past me into Renee’s line of sight.

Renee straightened her back to stand a little taller and her gaze flicked upward. “Thanks for letting me know in advance,” she said, sarcasm etched in her tone. “No, I’m not available. I already committed to going with another banker on a client call tomorrow.”

He scratched his head. I noticed his receding reddish-brown hair matched the light freckles on his face.

“I need an underwriter there. This deal needs to move quickly,” he prompted, placing his hand on his hip.

“Beth’s new, but she can handle it. She interned here before. She knows our systems and how to draw up a credit approval package.”

It surprised me when Renee rolled her eyes in front of him, and suddenly, I wanted to hide from the tension emanating in the room.

“Renee,” Jim pleaded.

Renee ignored his plea and pivoted to a sweet-looking brunette typing away on her computer. “Caroline, show Beth where the file room is. Beth, study Plack Industries and their latest financial statements, and come up with your questions for the company tomorrow. If you need help, ask Caroline. I’d like to see the proposal on my desk in two days.”

My face must have registered shock because a moment later, Renee placed her hand on my shoulder.

“Beth, don’t worry. You will do fine.” Her eyes softened before she marched straight past Jim.

He stomped back to his desk, muttering something under his breath.

I blinked a couple of times, looking toward Renee’s retreating back. I was surprised that I was being thrown into work after being here for less than twenty minutes. All the while, I was also making lists in my head of what I needed to do before tomorrow’s meeting.

“Hi, neighbor. I’m Caroline.”

I turned to the young woman sitting right next to my new desk.

Her smile was brief but genuine. “Jim can be a prick. He’ll always try to do the deal. Your job is to make sure that we don’t lose money while he’s doing it. I’ll brief you during lunch. So, you’re a fresh grad, huh?”

I studied her cute bob cut to her petite frame to her natural pouty lips. “Yeah, this is my first job out of college,” I said, glad that my neighbor exuded friendliness.

What nobody here knew was that although this was my first job out of college, I’d started working when I was thirteen. I’d had random jobs, like babysitting, bagging groceries, and waitressing. Working had never been an option. It had been a necessity.

As I sat at my desk, I realized that all those late-night vanilla lattes, study groups, and staying in while everyone else had partied had led me to this point. My hand brushed against my nameplate.
 
Bethany Casse
 
Underwriter

And I smiled again.

***

Sitting at a table in the cafeteria during my lunch hour with Caroline, I watched the women in their hip-hugging suits and high heels, carrying their designer bags, saunter past us. Chicago was a fast-paced city—well, fast-paced compared to where I’d come from.

Caroline continued to talk about her family and her college boyfriend, whom she had been dating for years. I kept silent, listening and smiling, as she continued. Midway through my turkey sandwich, I was chewing a mouthful of food when a tall male knocked on our table, breaking our conversation and causing me to look up.

“Hey, Caroline. I’m glad you’re showing Miss New Girl around.” He turned to me and waved.

When our eyes caught, I noticed that his eyes were the lightest shade of blue.

“Hi, I’m Brian,” he said, sporting a boyish grin. “I hope Caroline is being nice to you.”

The specimen in front of me was all-American. He looked like a spokesmodel for the bank with his broad shoulders filling out his gray pinstriped professional suit.

“Hi,” I said, cheeks full of food. I put down my sandwich and wiped the crumbs from my fingers. “I’m Beth.”

I swallowed the remnants of my lunch before taking his hand. His hand lingered on mine a second longer than comfortable, and when he released me, I picked up my drink and took a sip, giving my hands something else to do.

“I hope you’ll like it here, Beth,” he said. “And you tell me if Caroline is being mean to you. I know her boss.” He winked.

The color of his eyes reminded me of a clear summer sky, light with flecks of different shades of blue reflected in his irises.

“You should join us, Brian,” Caroline said, bringing me back to reality. She kicked out the chair next to her, offering the empty seat between us. He looked behind him toward a group of guys congregated at another table.

“Ladies, I totally would, but I’ve made plans already,” he said as our eyes caught. “I’ll definitely take you up on that offer soon. Nice meeting you, Beth.” He gave me a small smile before he turned away.

I watched as he continued to walk through the cafeteria until he sat by the other men.

“Holy hotness. Wow, right?” Caroline said, all wide-eyed.

I shrugged shyly and peered at him through my lashes.

“He’s not only good-looking, but he’s really smart. Brian started when I did, but he’s moved up the chain, and management likes him. He went to the University of Wisconsin and I want to say that he even got a scholarship for football.” She beamed dreamily in his direction and then shook herself out of her reverie. “If I wasn’t almost engaged, I would have to hit on that fine masterpiece.”

I cast her a look, and at that, we both laughed.

***

That evening, back in my one-bedroom apartment, I glanced at the neutral walls surrounding me before ducking my head back into my papers. Plack Industries’ financial statements covered most of my plush couch. For the last two hours, my determination to be well prepared for tomorrow’s client call had kept me seated Indian style on the couch, staring at the numbers in front of me and writing notes.

The phone ringing forced me up, and I rubbed my numb bottom as I reached for the phone.

“Beth Boo, I miss you!” Kendy said, her squeaky voice echoing through the receiver.

An instant smile appeared on my face. Her voice reminded me of home.

We had practically grown up in the same house, and this was the only time we had ever really been apart. Kendy was my cousin, my best friend, and the sister I never had. Now, she was one of the few family members I had left.

“I miss you, too, Kendy.” I took the phone to the couch and plopped down before moving the financial statements from the seat to the floor.

“So, tell me everything. How was your first day at work? Do you like it? Are you busy? Do you have a nice desk? Oh, are there any cute boys?” she rambled on.

My heart ached from just thinking of the distance between us, and I pulled the phone closer as I felt myself loosen at the sound of her voice.

“Hello? Anybody there? Am I talking to myself here? If so, that’s rude,” Kendy said.

I shook my head, but of course, she couldn’t see me. “Kendy, life does not revolve around men. I just got to Chicago this past weekend. They have me so involved in work already, and that’s all I want to be involved with right now.”

“Come on, give me some juice, Beth! I have to live vicariously through you. Tell me your life is more exciting than being a registered nurse at Bowlesville Hospital where no one dies or gets sick. I just sit there, waiting for the next big emergency, because helping old people pee all the time sucks.”

I let out a carefree laugh. “I didn’t say there wasn’t any eye candy at work,” I said, trying to tame her curiosity.

“That’s it? Eye candy? You’re single. You’re hot. You have this amazing job. You’re a triple threat. You are the perfect package. Girlfriend, get out there, and put yourself on the market. Date, Bethany Marie. Date a lot. Have fun, girlfriend. You deserve it.”

“I will. Don’t worry. I have a plan for these things. Right now, I have to concentrate on my job.” I yawned and glanced at the clock. Remembering my early customer call the next day, I clutched the phone closer to my ear. “Kendy,” I exhaled.

“Yeah?”

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you,” I said, thanking the heavens above that I had her.

“Pfft, girlfriend. You got that high-paying job all by yourself. Helping you get that apartment was no big deal.”

I huffed, thinking of all the ways I could thank my cousin for cosigning my lease. “Still, I owe you,” I said.

“You owe me nothing. We’re family. It’s not your fault things are the way they are. Shoot, I’m just proud you made your way out of here. And you know what?” she said slowly, making sure I was taking her words in. “Nana would be proud of you, too.”

I bit my cheek to stop the emotions running through me at the mention of my dead grandmother. There was silence on the phone, but it was a comfortable silence that we always had around each other, a silence shared among best friends. I knew what she was thinking because I was thinking the same thing. We missed Nana.

My eyes moved to the financial statements on the floor, triggering memories from the past.

 

 

I peeked up from my high school calculus book and sat up on my bed when I heard the door open. “Hey, Nana,” I said, noting the bouquet of red roses in her hands.

“You know he’s going to keep coming here every day until you answer his calls.”

I sighed as I swung my feet over the bed and reached for the flowers. I put them on the wooden desk that already had three-dozen roses in separate vases.

“I don’t know what to tell him. He’s never gonna let me go. I just know it. And I hate seeing him cry,” I said, dropping my butt on the edge of the bed.

I felt the bed indent as she sat next to me.

“Honey, you’re the only one I know who can make the captain of the football team cry.”

“Seriously, I don’t know what to do. That’s why I’ve been avoiding him like the plague.” I lifted my head to meet her eyes.

When she raised an eyebrow and cast me one of her looks, I let out a low laugh.

“Bethany Marie, you know darn well what to do. You do the right thing. There are always two roads to take in life, two choices you can make. In the end, you do the right thing because that’s how I raised you. If you don’t want to be with him, you let him go. You break up with him—properly.” She shook her head slowly. “What’s going on between you two anyway?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

I looked into my grandmother’s eyes. They were dull from age, yet they were still full of life. Her forehead creased with worry. I wanted to take my finger and even out the wrinkles. I normally didn’t tell her many of my problems because she had a lifetime of worry, and I didn’t want to add to that. I leaned into her, resting my head on her shoulder. Ever since I was younger, her closeness had always provided me with comfort.

“It’s not like he did anything wrong. I swear, sometimes, I wish he had, so I would have a good enough reason to break up with him,” I whispered.

I thought of the week that had just passed. Jason had followed me around school like a lost little puppy dog. I’d known he could sense that something was wrong between us. I’d thought if I just cut him off cold, he would get pissed-off and leave me, but he’d just tried harder to figure out what was bothering me and why I was distancing myself.

I pulled at my ponytail. “We’re just going in different directions. We’re graduating in two weeks. Two weeks! I don’t want to spend the summer with him, knowing that I’ll be leaving for college at the end of it while he’ll just stay here.”

She placed her hand on my lap, placating me. “He loves you. You know that, right?”

“Nana, I know that. That’s why it is that much harder to leave him. It’s not like I don’t care for him. I do,” I said, looking up at her. “But he was born, raised, and will probably die in Bowlesville, and that’s not the life I want to live. If he had it his way, he’d be working at the local factory, and I’d be barefoot and pregnant in his kitchen. I didn’t work through high school and study my butt off to end up here, just raising kids. I want out, Nana. I want the bright city lights. I want corporate America. Eventually, I want those four kids with the big house and white picket fence, but I don’t want it anytime soon,” I said, determination set in my face. “Jason doesn’t want those things. He’s content here in Bowlesville,” I said, releasing a breath. “And I’m just not.”

“I want you out of here as much as you do. That’s why I’ve been pushing school on you so much. I can’t help but feel bad for the boy though,” she said, lifting herself from the bed. “You need to do the right thing and break up with that boy if you don’t want to be with him anymore.”

I looked up at her expectant eyes and nodded slowly.

Her eyes crinkled as a small smile appeared. “Graduation is in two weeks,” she said, her voice softening. “Where did the time go?” She reached for a strand of dark brown hair that had escaped from my ponytail, and she tucked it behind my ear. “I’m so very proud of you, baby girl,” she said, resting her hand on the side of my face. “I’m very proud of the young lady you’ve become and the woman you are going to be.”

Leaning into her hand, I reveled in the softness even though her skin was folded in wrinkles from many years of working at the Laundromat. “Thanks, Nana.” I rested my hand on top of hers. “I do my best to make you proud of me,” I said, meeting the eyes of the woman who had raised me since I was six.

 

Bringing myself back to the present, I shook my head and glanced at the ticking clock beside me, mentally counting the hours of sleep that I had left.

“I have to go and get some sleep, so I am recharged for my meeting tomorrow. You’ll visit me soon, right? You promised,” I whined. Being in this new city and not knowing a single soul made me nervous and lonely all at once.

“Girlfriend, you’re the first person I’m seeing once they grant me some vacation over here.”

“Okay,” I said, releasing a breath. “And, Kendy, I know I’ve said this before, but—”

“You don’t have to say it,” she said, cutting me off. “We haven’t heard from her. Don’t you worry though. If she does ask about you, I’ll never tell her where you went.”

I calmed at her reassurance. “Thanks. I don’t want anything to do with that woman.”

I glanced at the pile of mail held together by a single half-inch rubber band. The letters never ceased to keep on coming. They reminded me of my past and prevented me from moving forward. I’d have to deal with the mail eventually.

I shook my head to focus.

This is my fresh start, and I will not let that woman ruin it.
***

Sitting at the country club’s restaurant, I felt the fluttering in my stomach from nervousness. According to Caroline, the owners of the companies needing loans were middle-aged men, who I would soon learn I had nothing in common with.

Mr. Jack Plack, CEO of Plack Industries, sat back while drinking his coffee. I watched the steam rise from his cup. Behind him, through the floor-to-ceiling windows, I could see golfers teeing off.

“I’m estimating ten million to renovate and expand our oldest plant. We want to make Bowlesville the pilot plant with new state-of-the-art equipment, and eventually, we want to roll this out throughout the nation,” Mr. Plack noted.

Sitting a little taller, I tried to look confident as I grabbed a pen to take notes in my portfolio. I glanced at Jim, my banker, as I listened attentively, and stopped myself from chewing the top of the pen in my hand.

Last night, I’d instantly recognized the name of our client. Plack’s logo covered all of my moving boxes. They were a household name, big on packaging materials and distribution. It amazed me how the father of the person in front of me had started the company from scratch before it had grown into a multimillion-dollar corporation.

Mr. Plack took a sip of his coffee. “What do you need from us to get this moving?”

I moved to his line of sight, ready to fire off my questions. “Do you have your second-quarter financials with you? It looks like first quarter indicated a ten percent drop in sales from the previous year?”

“Yes, I do. We lost a client, but we have gained a few more to make up for that decline.” He shuffled through his papers, and as he handed me the financials, he spotted someone behind me.

“Kent!” he yelled over my shoulder.

 
When I twisted my head to see whom his attention was directed to, I almost had to hold my chin up to prevent my jaw from dropping to the ground. Over six feet of tall, dark, and handsome filled my eyes. I swore, he walked straight off the cover of GQ magazine. His eyes were the deepest golden brown, reminding me of chestnuts, which complemented his wavy dark brown hair that didn’t have a strand out of place.
 
When his eyes caught mine, I felt my cheeks warm because he’d caught me staring, and I immediately looked between Mr. Plack and Jim to avert my eyes. When I glanced up again, he was standing by our table.
 
“Kent, have lunch with us. We’re discussing business.” Mr. Plack gestured for him to sit down.
 
“Dad, all work and no play…” He laughed. “You should enjoy the weather and get out on the course.”
 
Mr. Plack stirred uncomfortably in his seat. “I’m booked with meetings all day. Come on, you should join us, son.”
 
I couldn’t help myself and stole another glance. When Kent caught my stare, I saw a small dimple emerge, and my temperature rose ten degrees. I wiped my hands on my skirt and looked to the bread to prevent myself from gawking any further.
 
“Well, I haven’t eaten, so maybe I will join you,” he replied.
 
Guys usually didn’t make me nervous, but I felt uneasy under his gaze, and fidgeted in my seat.
 
“Okay, good,” Mr. Plack said, sounding relieved.
 
“Dad, I’m just sitting for lunch,” he said, matter-of-factly. “I’m on my way to see Mother.”
 
Mr. Plack motioned for the waitress. She brought in an extra chair and positioned it right beside me.
 
“Jim, this is my son, Kent. Bethany, Kent.”
 
Jim shook Kent’s hand first as I wiped my hands on my skirt again before I stood and took his. His piercing eyes surveyed me, and I pulled my hand back and quickly sat down.
 
“Please, don’t let me interrupt your business meeting,” Kent said, taking a seat next to me. He selected a piece of bread and popped it into his mouth.
 
I watched him as he chewed. I lowered my head into my financial statements as I told myself not to gawk, but I couldn’t help it. I wasn’t used to seeing super fine men sauntering around in my small town of Bowlesville. Then again, I was no longer in my hometown.
 
“So, Kent, are you in the business of packaging and distribution with your father? Learning the ropes?” Jim reached for a piece of bread and swirled it in the olive oil.
 
“No, I don’t do anything actually. I don’t work.” Kent shrugged.
 
Jim was taken aback, and the whole table was silent for what seemed like forever even though it was only a couple of seconds. I peered up from my financials and studied Kent’s beautiful face. I was slightly disappointed. In the few seconds of silence, I mentally noted that his attractiveness had died down multiple notches because of his lack of ambition. The fact that he’d admitted it made him look like a spoiled brat. Bummer that the looker in front of me has brawn but no brains.
 
“Yes, all my son does is plays golf all day, goes to the beach, shops, gallivants with his women, and spends money that his grandfather and I have worked so hard to earn,” Mr. Plack said, sounding aggravated and not in the least bit amused.
 

At the tension in his voice, my head dipped lower into the financial statements as this was a conversation meant between two people and not for the whole table to hear.

“Not interested in succeeding your father in the business?” Jim pressed.

I wanted to kick Jim for prying any further and causing more awkwardness at the table.

“No, not at all—not even with my Ivy League college degree.”

My head perked up, and I caught Kent staring at me while chewing yet another piece of bread. Jim changed the subject by talking about the basketball playoffs, and I was happy that the conversation was steering into a normal, comfortable zone.

 
“Hey, sugar?” Kent asked.
 
“Huh?” My heartbeat doubled in my chest, and I blatantly stared at him, oblivious to the playoff talk around me.
 
“Can you please pass me the sugar?”
 
I blinked a couple of times before realizing what he just said. “Oh. Okay. Sorry,” I grabbed the sugar near me and passed it to him.
 
“So, what do you do for the bank?” he asked, spooning the sugar into his coffee.
 
I peered at him from under my eyelashes. “I’m an underwriter.”
 

“Interesting,” he noted.

 

“It is interesting. As an underwriter, we basically look at the company’s financials and the needs of the company, and based on their performance, we see if they can service the loan. If not, we build parameters around the loan to ensure that the client can repay us.” I noticed an increased pitch in my tone, and I pressed my hands on my lap to stop my fidgeting.

He smiled at me, and I immediately warmed.

 
“You know, you’re cute when you blush,” he whispered, leaning toward me.
 
That flush on my face started to burn up. I looked to the others and was glad they were engrossed in deep conversation about the Chicago Bulls, so they were oblivious to the comment he’d just made. The feeling of shyness dissipated as irritation inside me began to rise. I found myself annoyed that he had been trying to embarrass me and get a reaction out of me in front of my colleague and customer. I didn’t care that he looked like a model from GQ.
 

I glared at him, and the corners of his mouth lifted at the evil look I was giving him. The silence grew, and we were interrupted by our lunch being served. When the waitress dropped off our plates at our table, I noticed she was trying to catch Kent’s attention. I wondered if he was oblivious to her attention or if he got this everywhere and just didn’t care. When she put his plate down, her arm brushed against his and when he finally lifted his eyes to meet hers, her cheeks flushed pink.

Seeing this small interaction, I realized he must have this effect on all women. I suddenly wished my face hadn’t given me away and that his good looks hadn’t made me blush like a little schoolgirl. I mentally noted not to do it again.

Staring at my grilled chicken sandwich, I couldn’t eat. I loved food, yet sitting next to this man made me self-conscious. Aggravation was seeping into my skin because I couldn’t enjoy my sandwich in peace. Instead of grabbing the sandwich with both hands and stuffing my face like I normally would, I took my knife and fork and poked at the sandwich.

“So, continue and tell me more about the expansion of the Bowlesville plant,” Jim added before chewing a French fry.

Mr. Plack took a sip of water. “Yes, we will also be expanding our product line, so we will need more storage space. Bowlesville will be our test factory, and eventually, we want to renovate the rest of our distribution centers to mirror it. Jim, have you been to our Bowlesville plant? You would be able to see that it is in need of expansion.”

“No, not yet. Hey, Beth, isn’t that where you’re from?” Jim glanced my way, and everyone else’s eyes also shifted in my direction.

I widened my eyes before taking a big gulp of water. “Yes, I’m originally from Bowlesville. It’s a small town with lots of manufacturing companies, but Plack Industries is the biggest one,” I lifted my glass to my lips and kept drinking, hoping they’d continue on to the next subject.

“Have you ever been to the plant? I’d love to give you a tour sometime when you’re available,” Kent said.

It took all my energy to keep my face steady as I placed my glass back on the table.

“When would you like to go?” he asked.

Mr. Plack studied his son with an amused look on his face. “You haven’t been to the Bowlesville plant in years.” He paused, assessing his son, and then he turned to Jim and me. “Are you available next week for Kent to take you on a tour of our Bowlesville facility? I’ll be out of town, visiting our plant in California, so I won’t be able to make it.”

From what I knew, Kent was not involved in the company. Why he would want to take us on a tour, I had no idea.

As the waitress started to clear out our plates, Jim reached for his phone. “I will have to check my schedule, but I’m pretty booked next week. I’m sure if Beth is available, she can go.”

My mouth dropped at Jim’s comment, and I composed myself before he could catch me giving him a dirty look. I cleared my throat and tried to sound confident as I said, “I’ll check my schedule at the office, but I do believe Renee said I will be busy with meetings.” My hands were clenched under the table, my fingers digging ridges against the inside of my palms.

“Why don’t you check now? Don’t you have access through your smartphone?” Kent tried to suppress laughter as his dimple flashed on his cheek.

I had a sudden urge to kick him under the table to erase that smug look off his face. Before I gave him the satisfaction of my face turning redder than it already was, I picked up my phone, gritted my teeth and mustered up a smile. “Let’s see.”

Everyone stared at me as I fidgeted with my phone. It took all the control I had not to call Jim every expletive in the book. I didn’t care that Plack Industries was his biggest client in his portfolio.

“I’m free next Wednesday and Friday,” I said, steadying my voice.

I told the truth. I could have lied, but I hadn’t. Jim could have easily checked my calendar at the office since he had access.

“Friday it is then,” Kent said, casting me a satisfied look. He winked in my direction when no one was looking and it took all my energy not to flip him the finger.

“Fine. Since that is settled, I need to get back to the office.” Mr. Plack stood up, and everyone else followed.

Finally, we exchanged our good-byes, and as I turned to face Kent, he slowly shook my hand, holding it a little longer than I wanted.

“Hope you don’t mind, but I will be picking you up at your office. It’s quite a drive to Bowlesville,” he said.

Friday morning, I jumped as the phone rang, and I stared at it like it was on fire. Caroline gave me the most perplexed look over her desk, and I returned an awkward smile before picking up the phone.

“Hi, One Financial. This is Beth,” I said in my usual cheery voice.

“I’m downstairs in the black Bentley. Meet me on Clark Street,” Kent said.

No, Hello, how are you, good morning to you?

I replied with, “Sounds good.”

On my way out, Jim stopped me, moving into my direct path to the elevators. “Hey, real quick, Beth. Not sure what is going on with Kent, but Mr. Plack is pretty happy that his son is visiting the plant. He thinks this might spark Kent’s interest about the business. I’d join you, but I already had a meeting planned. Thanks for taking one for the team,” he said, giving me a pat on my shoulder.

“Sure,” I said before walking toward the elevators and rolling my eyes behind his back.

I was irritated that I’d been put in this situation and was further annoyed that this felt like a first date. I told myself to be nice as the elevator descended. The trip to Bowlesville would take the whole day, and it was pointless to be aggravated. I tried to look at the bright side. Today, my eyes would get a break from staring at financial statements, annual reports, and the computer screen. I decided that was something to be happy about.

I stepped out on Clark Street and surveyed several men looking at the sleek, newly waxed black Bentley while women gawked at the Calvin Klein model sitting behind the wheel. Kent quickly stepped out of the driver’s side and opened my door.

The new-car smell filled my nose as I plopped myself down on the black leather seat of his fancy ride. He sat down, all alpha-male like, and placed one hand on the wheel. I noticed his pale yellow polo shirt had a small Burberry logo on his chest, the Burberry pattern peeking out slightly from underneath his collar.

For a brief moment, I felt like an actress in a movie as I sat there in my suit next to a model-looking male in an expensive automobile. In this movie, we were on our first date, heading out for a long drive down the Pacific Coast Highway. I couldn’t help but smile at my own imagination.

“Ready to go?” he asked, flashing a dimple on his cheek.

If this were a date, I would reach for his hand and hold it while he drove off, but obviously, it wasn’t.

“Yeah. Thanks for driving.”

I looked at his dark brown locks above his handsome face. There wasn’t a strand out of place. It really wasn’t fair.

“Let’s grab breakfast in an hour.”

He smiled lightly at me, and I naturally smiled back.

My mind wandered, and I was vaguely curious why he’d really invited me on this trip. Maybe he was interested in me. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. Although he was obscenely good-looking, lazy and spoiled were definitely not my type.

 
We were stopped at a red light when he turned and looked directly into my eyes. He was so close that I could smell mint on his lips. I stared, motionless, as I was mesmerized by his long lashes that women everywhere would die for. When he leaned in even closer, I held my breath at his proximity.
 
“Listen,” he said, lowering his head toward me, “you’re not my type.”
 
I didn’t know what I looked like at that moment, but I knew how I felt. As heat rose to my ears, I wanted to crawl into a dark hole and hide. It was like that moment when you were walking down the street, staring at a handsome man who had waved at you, and you waved back because you thought he had been checking you out, but really, he’d been waving at the attractive girl behind you. Well, that was how I felt—but worse. I could have walked away from that guy on the street, but this guy was driving me to his father’s company about three hours away. So, not only was I unable to walk away from this situation, I was going to have to sit here and feel mortified for the next few hours.
 
Oh. My. Word.
 
I composed myself and mustered all I had inside. “You’re not my type either. You’re just my driver.” It was the truth. I faced forward as humiliation seeped further into my skin. “Go. It’s a green light,” I said as the stoplight changed.
 
I cleared my throat and sat straighter on my seat. “Mr. Plack, this is not a date. You invited me to visit your facility. I’m here strictly on business—to find out more about your operations and to report your needs back to the bank,” I said, trying to sound professional.
 
“Miss Casse, my facility?”
 
He suppressed his laughter, and in return, I turned beet red—again. At that moment, I hated him. I hated his pretty face, his stupid fancy car, and his ability to embarrass me so easily. Most of all, I hated that I had to sit in this car with him for the next three hours.

“Sorry, but the only facility I have is attached. As for my needs, the bank doesn’t have to know them. I have to remind you that we are going to my father’s company, not mine.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, narrowing my eyes at him. “What’s your reason for inviting me to your father’s company again? You’re obviously not interested in it,” I snapped.

He lifted one eyebrow quizzically, and I stared at him again. I always wondered how someone could pull one eyebrow up while refraining the other one from coming up as well.

“Honestly, I was bored, and I thought, you know…maybe I’d get lucky.” He shrugged and faced the road. A small dimple emerged on his cheek as if his honesty shouldn’t affect me.

I couldn’t prevent my mouth from falling. The nerve of this guy! I’d never, ever met a male of this breed before, and I could feel myself getting warmer and warmer from irritation. I squeezed my hands together on my lap, resisting the urge to flip off this infuriating man in front of me. I bit my tongue before I said something I would regret and faced forward.

He shifted toward me as one side of his mouth lifted. “What?” he smirked.

And then, I couldn’t hold it in any longer. “I can’t believe you just said that. Who says those things? You can’t say stuff like that! You can think them, but you can’t say those things out loud. I mean, who does that?” I said, fisting my hands on my lap. “What type of girl gives it up that easily?”

“You’d be surprised,” he said. “You asked, and I answered. I was just being honest.”

I glared at him, stunned that he’d had the audacity to be so blunt. “There’s such a thing called tact. Ever heard of it?” I had the sudden urge to punch something, and normally, I didn’t have a violent tendency in my body.

“Listen, you’re a pretty girl, but you’re not my type. I didn’t mean to invite you to Bowlesville. I just mentioned it. I never thought my father would insist on me going. I want nothing to do with his business. Like I said, I was just bored.”

He was way out of line, and I wanted to turn around and go back to the office. I should have demanded that he take me back, but then I wouldn’t have anything to report to Jim or my manager. I needed this job. I’d wanted this job, and I’d worked hard as hell to get it. For the sake of having something to report to the team, I decided I could bite my tongue and suffer through his presence for one day.
 

It’s just one day.

“Good to know we are on the same page,” I said.

 
I faced the road in front of me as I promised myself I would ignore him the rest of the way. In the silence, Kent turned on the radio. I peered out the window as we hit the outskirts of the city while I realized that this was going to be a very trying day.

Brian Benson is the nice guy every girl dreams of marrying.

Too bad he’s off the market—for good.

He’s sworn off women since the last girl he dated broke his heart.

Determined to start over in New York, his sole focus is to climb the corporate ladder—no distractions.

Until one minor collision propels him into the path of small-town-girl but bombshell babe, Kendy Miller.

Kendy walks with a sass she was born with.

Single and ready to mingle, she’s on the prowl.

Moving from her tiny town to the big city lights of New York, she is introduced to Dr. Hot Pants.

She feels it in her bones—he only belongs to her.

When Kendy formulates a grand scheme to land Dr. Hot Pants and uses Brian to do it, Brian is all in because he could use a little fun.

Things were going to plan, until one night lines were crossed, kisses were exchanged and clothes flew off.

Fate collides, fortunes are tested and plans backfire, but Kendy is still determined to land her doctor.

Problem is… Brian was only there to assist in the plot. Falling in love with the girl wasn’t part of THE SCHEME.