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CHAPTER ONE
Emily
I’ve worked relentlessly for every single thing I have. But the muscular thigh that presses against my own under the table reminds me that not everything is achievable. I have a good chunk of money saved, despite growing up with less than none. I have my health, while not everyone in my family is so lucky. And I’m in the graduate school program of my dreams. But what I can never have is the satisfaction that would come from finally grabbing that thigh and feeling my way up Ben’s muscles and…
I sigh in frustration, stopping my mind from going there for the millionth time today. What is wrong with me today? Valentine’s Day must be messing with my brain.
“Something bothering you, Em?” I don’t have to look up to know the teasing look in Ben’s eyes that would greet me. Instead, I let the touch of our legs linger for a fraction of a second too long, savoring the delicious warmth. Even if he’s just having fun with me, I can still enjoy it a little before I pull it away.
“Alright, boys,” I slam my laptop shut. “I need to end a little early tonight. I’ll do a read-through of what we have tomorrow morning and add my notes.”
“This is a new one. You never leave before us. Big Valentine’s Day plans, Ms. Miller?” Deacon’s little nickname for me never fails to get me riled up. I glare at him as I slip my laptop into myoversized leather purse. His dimpled grin melts my last ounce of reserve.
“Do you guys have some kind of running bet to see who can get under my skin quicker?” I glare suspiciously at the three of them. Deacon, Graham, and Ben Sweet are my classmates in my MBA program. The three brothers took pity on me when I didn’t have a group to join in our Financial Accounting & Reporting class during our first semester. It took us all by surprise that day to learn that we work incredibly well together. We have nothing in common.
They’re three huge presences in both status and stature. They tower over most of the student body, likely from all the supermodel genes running through their lineage. And their family has no shortage of supermodel genes because they’re that old-money kind of rich that has buildings named after them. They own one of the oldest and largest confectionary conglomerates in the world. Yes, the Sweets sell sweets and they love being a little too sweet with me. But they’re young and powerful and have the entire world in front of them. While I’m just… well, me. I have no lineage and no prestige behind my name. Well, not yet, at least. I’ve got big plans to change that.
“You think you can leave without giving us the goods?” Ben sits back in his chair, making the wood creak like it’s not meant for that much man.
I smirk, finally giving in to them. By “goods” he means this ridiculous little ritual we’ve started. Once I told them I see unuseful business ideas everywhere, like it’s a compulsion. I thought they would relate. We are in business school, after all. But they didn’t and got so much entertainment from hearing my ideas that they now make me tell them the most ridiculous ideas I’ve had that day.
“Okay, okay,” I grin as I stand to put my scarf on. “Today’s life-changing business is…” I move my gaze slowly across theirfaces to build anticipation. “Take a deep breath because your world is about to be rocked. It will affect your family’s company too, so take notes…”
Ben tips his huge, muscular frame back in his chair, chuckling under his breath. Deacon takes his baseball hat off and runs his hands through his dark brown hair as he grins at me in anticipation. And Graham has that stoic sparkle in his cool blue eyes that lets me know he’s enjoying himself, even if overt displays aren’t his thing.
“Don’t rush to invest all at the same time, but it’s an app that only works on Valentine’s Day. People list the chocolates in their box that they don’t eat so they can find their perfect chocolate match, a.k.a. the person who eats the ones they don’t like and vice versa. Bonus if it’s a dating app but I haven’t ironed out those details yet.”
Graham groans first. “Where do I even begin…”
“Your mind is a terrifying place,” Ben says with a laugh.
“Alright, alright.” I whip my jacket on. “You can tell me all about how much you love my idea tomorrow. I really have to go.”
“Hold on,” Graham puts his finger out and reaches into his bag. He pulls out a box wrapped in white paper and an ornate red ribbon embroidered with white flowers. “Just a little something from us. Luckily, your app idea won’t be necessary for this since it’s full of your favorite dark chocolate salted caramels.”
Excitement bursts in me as I take the box from him. Admittedly, way too much excitement over chocolates that are probably more promotional than personal. I’m just really in the mood for chocolate and did not want to buy some for myself on Valentine’s Day. And it doesn’t hurt that they remembered salted caramels are my favorite.
“You take good care of me. Now my notes tomorrow morning will be extra thorough because I’ll be hopped up on chocolate.”
“Oh, you’re handing out chocolate to the class?” A voice brings our attention to Jessica, a classmate of ours, walking up to the table. I use the moment to tuck their chocolates in my bag and pull on my coat.
“Oh,” Graham says awkwardly. “Sorry, we didn’t bring any more.”
“I’m just teasing,” Jessica laughs, flashing her perfect white smile. “I just wanted to ask if you guys have finished the stats assignment, yet? I’m stuck on something.”
“Yeah, we did.” Graham nods, his golden hair falling over his eyes before he pushes it back. “Which problem?”
“Alright, gotta go,” I say again. “Bye, guys. See you, Jessica.” I wave at all of them.
“Have fun, Ms. Miller. Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day. We’ll miss you.” Deacon, always the mischievous brother, says with a wink. It does things to me that I push deep down. Leaving them with Jessica makes way more sense. She’s a gorgeous blonde little thing who would match with any of the Sweet brothers much better than me.
Because the biggest difference between us isn’t just our stature or status. It’s a bit more complicated. Well, it’s not complicated at all actually, I just like to pretend that it’s complicated. They’re almost a decade younger than me. Which means that in addition to being out of my league, we’re not even occupying the same planet.
I knew I would be older than a lot of my peers when I decided to get my MBA after years of working on Wall Street. I just didn’t anticipate that I would spend so much time with any of them. Or for them to flirt so damn much with me. It’s ridiculous. I’m mentally preparing for 40 while 30 is just a fun birthday party for them in their future. That’s why despite them being my favorite guys to work with, I know they’re just toying withme. They see me as their competent and entertaining little group partner, who they’ll forget all about when we graduate.
But tonight I can brush it off easier than other nights. Maybe they’re off flirting with Jessica right after they’re playing footsy with me under the table. But tonight, I can bet that I’m the one with more exciting plans.
CHAPTER TWO
