The unEXpected Plan

by Harper, Leddy

  Then there was the time both girls had decided that adding soap to our outdoor pool filter would be a good idea. They’d come shrieking upstairs to my room when the bubbles had reached the second-floor windowsill. That had been deemed my fault as well because I’d agreed to “watch” them while my parents went out to dinner—thanks to Nellie’s promises that they’d be good and were practically old enough to watch themselves.

  No, not falling for her doe-eyed routine again.

  “Nellie, you need—” The ringing phone on my desk cut off the speech I’d mentally prepared. “Hold on.” I held up one finger to my sister and answered the call. “This is Corbin.”

  “I need you to get a handle on this situation with Motto. Pronto. I’m sending you an email that needs immediate attention.” My boss’s not-too-happy voice bellowed in my ear.

  I wrangled my computer mouse and opened my email. “I see it. I’ll get right on it, sir.” I quickly set the phone in the cradle and returned my attention to the computer screen. I needed to figure out how to respond, and quickly.

  “Corbin—”

  “Nellie, can it. My boss just notified me that the head honcho of our most lucrative account is pissed. They’re threatening to pull out of the new ad campaign contract if we can’t come up with something to entice them to stay. Apparently, they aren’t too happy with the project assistant they’ve been dealing with, so I need to contact them immediately to smooth things over before we lose the account. Can we finish this another time?”

  She started to respond, but I didn’t bother listening to what she had to say before grabbing the receiver and punching the button for my assistant.

  “Hey, Em. Can you get Mike at Transition Motto on the phone, please?” I turned my attention back to my longwinded sister while still holding the receiver to my ear. Talking over her, I said, “Nell, I need to fix this.”

  “But I need you to help me with something. Just this one thing.”

  “Spit it out…quickly.” Then I held up another finger because Mike came on the line. “Mike, this is Corbin from AdCorp.”

  “Listen, I’m sorry, but I’m done. I’m serious this time.”

  “I understand you’re unhappy with your current ad campaign, and I’d really like to make this right. How can I help get this project back on track for you? I’d really hate to see you go.”

  “Have you seen their concept?”

  “Not personally, no.” That never sounded good to a client, but approving campaign pitches was no longer my job. Unfortunately, most of the contracts I’d dealt with prior to my last promotion didn’t seem to understand this.

  Mike rambled in my ear about all the things he strongly disliked regarding the concept while Nellie chattered from across the desk. It was a good thing I’d learned long ago how to ignore her and pretend she wasn’t speaking—especially because that girl didn’t know where her off button was.

  After some wheeling and dealing, I was able to smooth Mike’s ruffled feathers and obtain his agreement on giving things another try. By the time I’d finished with all the calls I needed to make, I felt like I’d slain a dragon.

  “Corbin, did you hear me?” Nell brought me back to the present.

  “Yeah, I heard you.” I hadn’t heard a word, but was it really important? Probably not. I had just evaded an entire conversation, and she hadn’t even noticed.

  “Okay, so drinks on Friday at the Round Up?”

  “Friday?” I mentally checked my schedule. If it would appease her, I could easily go for one drink. “Yeah. That should work. Six thirty?”

  “Great.” Nellie hopped up from her chair and kissed me on the cheek. “You’re the best brother ever.”

  I smiled as she left. I truly loved her, but God, she could be a champion pain in the ass. How could someone make your life hell while making it worth living? She was a conundrum, no doubt.

  * * *

  Running late was part of my mantra. Why arrive early when you usually ended up waiting for the other party anyway? It made no sense to me.

  Of course, this was not my way of doing things at work. My tardiness mainly affected my personal life, which had been the issue with my past and current relationships. Girlfriends were usually a problem. Work came first, romance second. If they couldn’t deal with that, then there was no future. Thank goodness for my secretary, Emily. She’d saved me more times than not by remembering important dates and sending appropriate gifts on my behalf.

  My on-again-off-again girlfriend—currently off—was perfect for me. Lindsey adhered to the same work ethic, so she didn’t mind when I chose work over her. The current problem was that she had chosen work over me. Mainly a life-changing promotion she’d worked her entire career to achieve. Unfortunately for me, it was in a different state, and I wasn’t prepared to give up my position at AdCorp to move. So, for the time being, Lindsey and I were apart.

  I was meeting my sister at Round Up, which was a hole-in-the-wall barbecue place that doubled as a bar. They had killer drinks and even better happy hours. Although, I’d probably missed happy hour since I was so late.

  “Corbin!” My sister spotted me and waved me over.

  But my attention went straight to the woman seated with her at the table. For a split second, I felt like a schoolboy all over again—racing heart, clammy hands, obsessively worrying if my hair was a mess or if my shirt was wrinkled. But the longer I stared, the more familiar she looked…then I recognized her, and I immediately felt strange for having the hots for someone who I’d always viewed as another sister to me.

  “Hey, Nell.” I kissed her on the cheek and then turned to the dark-haired beauty next to her—her life-long best friend, Brooke. “Hey, Bridge. Long time no see.” Rather than give her a kiss as well, I offered a smile before sitting down. Damn, she had really…well, grown up since the last time I saw her. Too bad I couldn’t remember how long ago that’d been. It was hard to tell considering I’d heard about her constantly, thanks to my sister bringing her up at dinner every Sunday. Although, staying current with her life hadn’t prepared me for just how much she’d changed since the last time I actually saw her in person.

  I wasn’t sure why she was here, but I’d decided not to ask. I certainly didn’t want to make it sound like I wasn’t happy to see her. Then again, I didn’t want to admit just how happy I was to see her. For fuck’s sake she looked good.

  “Why must you continue to call her that? You know that’s not her name.” Nellie seemed more irritated than Brooke over the childhood moniker I’d given her.

  “There are lots of Brookes and Brooklyns in the world, but as far as I’m concerned, there’s only one Brooklyn Bridge.” I winked at her and then watched her cheeks flame with heat. Oddly enough, that lit a fire in the pit of my stomach.

  I looked Brooklyn over—inconspicuously, of course—and suppressed a groan. She had cleavage, and her hair practically draped her shoulders like a thick, dark curtain. The word goddess didn’t begin to describe her beauty.

  “So, Bridge, what have you been up to?”

  That question induced a glare from Brooke. She hated the nickname I’d christened her with during childhood. I’d originally done it to piss her off after one of the charades they’d tangled me into, but it had stuck. And I couldn’t stop using it now, even though it had been years since I’d seen her. She didn’t look like the Bridge I’d known before, but the reaction the nickname produced was invaluable. It still worked.

  “You should probably ask what we haven’t been up to!” They both giggled, though where my sister’s sounded genuine, Brooke’s seemed to be filled with nerves more than anything.

  Deciding to turn my attention elsewhere before I made this entire evening uncomfortable, I scanned the drink menu; suddenly alcohol seemed like a necessity. Truth be told, I didn’t really know too much about Brooke’s life anymore, other than what Nell shared, so I was a bit stunted on conversation topics.

  “So, how’s work?” I asked Brooke without actual
ly looking at her. If I got trapped in her pale-green eyes again, I doubted I’d ever find my way out of that sexual labyrinth.

  “It’s fine. It’s not really a job, though; at least not one that your family would accept.”

  Based on what Nellie had told me—granted, I’d never really asked—Brooklyn was currently doing an internship toward becoming a teacher. Her degree had taken her longer to obtain because of her childhood. Her mom had worked two or three jobs at a time to help her with her community college education, and Brooke had to take breaks from school in order to work when her mom had fallen ill. There was no one else. No father. No siblings. Just Brooke and her mom.

  And now it was just Brooke.

  It had taken her longer than most to finish her bachelor’s degree because of the hurdles placed in her way, something that my family—namely my parents—couldn’t seem to grasp. Nell and I had each attended four-year prestigious colleges and graduated during the customary time period it took to earn a degree—with honors, no less. We also both immediately landed paid internships, and once they concluded, we began working in “impressive” jobs. That was all according to my parents, anyway. But let’s be honest, it’s who you know, not what you know, and my parents were able to provide those connections for us.

  I couldn’t care less how Brooke achieved her dream. In fact, I was more proud of her for overcoming her struggles and still continuing along her path. But I still thought of her as the pain-in-the-ass kid sister I never wanted. She was a flat-out nuisance. Granted, now she was more of a knock-out nuisance, but that was neither here nor there.

  “You know I don’t feel the same as my parents, right? I think I’ve proven that time and time again.” The sincerity of my tone made the tense lines of her face smooth away until a slow smile spread over her lips.

  “I know,” she said quietly. “How have you been? Is your job still going well?”

  “Yes.” Thanks to the server’s perfect timing, I was able to end it there with a long pull of my drink. I didn’t understand why talking to her was so hard. Taking another gulp, I chalked it up to the fact that I wasn’t used to conversing with this version of Brooklyn. This was a grown woman, not the kid sister I was used to.

  Seriously, how long had it been?

  “Any hooter,” Nell interjected, breaking the silence. “We’ve all gathered here to discuss a plan. One that is absolutely ingenious and perfect in every single way!”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I shot her a look of disbelief. “I feel like I was brought here under false pretenses. You said we’d get drinks and catch up.”

  “Catch up on the plan. Duh!” Nell rolled her eyes. “I sat in your office and told you about this. You agreed by continually nodding, and you even pointed your finger at me during the good parts.”

  “I did no such thing!”

  “Yes, you did. I’m still amazed by your multitasking skills. You were on a phone call, addressing an email, and carrying on a conversation with me…all at the same time! Crazy!”

  “Maybe you think it’s crazy because it absolutely did not happen. I clearly told you to wait a sec and didn’t hear a word you said.”

  “Unbelievable!” Nell threw her hands in the air, then turned to Brooke. “I knew he’d back out like the pussy he is.”

  “First of all, I’m not a pussy. And secondly, just because you work for Dad’s company and can pawn off your duties doesn’t mean we all can. Some of us have to work for a living, and that phone call could’ve turned into a career-changing event.”

  “I’m not saying it wasn’t. I guess I just misinterpreted our conversation. I really thought you were listening to me.”

  “It’s fine. Whatever. Just know this plan, or whatever it is, is finished.”

  Her nose crinkled while she studied her napkin, which was indicative of a few tears being shed in the near future. Fuck!

  “Look, Nellie, it was a long shot anyway.” Brooklyn patted her friend’s hand in an attempt to make her feel better. “And it’s actually fine. Maybe we’ll come up with an even better strategy. You know if we put our heads together we’re nothing short of awesome.”

  “Yeah.” Nellie offered a small smile, but then her bottom lip slightly quivered.

  “Fine. I’ll do it.” Fuck me! That little twerp always knew how to pull at my heartstrings. And I let her do it. Every. Single. Time.

  “You don’t even know what it is yet.” Nell smirked.

  “I have a feeling you two will fill me in.”

  “Oh, we will! You’re absolutely going to die when you hear it!” My sister laughed as she rubbed her hands together vindictively. “Chase will never know what hit him!”

  Chapter 2

  Brooklyn

  To say I felt uncomfortable was an understatement.

  Nellie had a way of twisting the truth to fit what she wanted to hear, so I shouldn’t have been surprised. And I guess I wasn’t. But it didn’t stop me from wanting to descend deep into my seat, or beneath the table and disappear. At first, the scheme had sounded perfect, but now that the cat was out of the bag about Corbin not really being on board, and we’d have to present it to him from the beginning, my stomach was in knots.

  “Corbin, if you don’t want to do it, I understand.”

  “I thought we’ve worked past that point,” he snapped.

  Nellie shot me a look that clearly said, do not rock the boat, even though we were already on the verge of sinking.

  “Okay. Well, since we’re going to be here a while, should we order dinner?” I suggested.

  “That sounds amazing, but I have to get going.” My bestie got up and started to open her wallet to pay for her drink.

  “I got this,” Corbin assured her.

  “Thanks, bro. I’ll catch you next time.”

  I gawked at her while she quickly hugged Corbin, then me. And she was gone. Poof, completely disappeared before I knew what had happened. What the heck? She just left me with her brother. Alone. To explain everything. What a bitch!

  “Guess it’s just us,” I said, sounding like a complete buffoon. For whatever reason, I found it nearly impossible to talk normal around him when Nellie wasn’t here. It was beyond awkward. I made a mental note to kill my best friend once I made it through this dinner.

  “Cheers.” Corbin gave me a smile and held up his drink.

  He didn’t seem to have a care in the world, so why should I? I held up my glass and clinked his before taking a sip. I sometimes had a tendency to make more out of a situation than was there, so I needed to ignore the nerves that ransacked my system and just enjoy dinner.

  “Tell me about this scheme the two of you have concocted.”

  “Well…I guess you know my boyfriend broke up with me.”

  “No. Not really. I didn’t even know you had a boyfriend, so perhaps you should start at the beginning.”

  The waitress approached our table and took our order for dinner. Considering this could go either way, we ended up ordering a few appetizers to share. No sense in getting a full entrée if he’d tell me to forget the plan five minutes into our conversation.

  “The beginning?” I asked once the waitress had refilled our drinks.

  “Sounds like a good place to start.” He offered a kind smile, and I felt my body relax even more. This wasn’t so bad. Maybe he’d be easier to talk to than I’d expected.

  “Hmm…” I tapped my chin, wondering which beginning he’d meant; clearly he didn’t want the entire story from the first day we had met. “Well, Chase, my boyfriend, and I were together for two years—two amazingly perfect years. We used to talk about the future all the time, to the point that we had our entire lives mapped out, down to how many kids we wanted to have. But then he dumped me out of the blue, no warning at all. I mean, we’ve always gotten along great, never having any issues whatsoever.”

  “I kind of find that hard to believe,” Corbin stated, butting into my storytelling.

  “You find what hard to believe?
”

  “Well, you said he broke up with you, which makes him your ex-boyfriend, so there had to be issues somewhere. You don’t just break up with someone for no reason. You may not have seen it coming, and I’m sure it took you by complete surprise, but there had to be signs that he was itching for a break. Maybe you just didn’t see them.”

  To my sheer mortification, my eyes begin to water. Anytime I thought of the love of my life no longer with me…it killed me inside. And having to explain it to anyone, let alone my bestie’s brother of all people, made the pain worse. Add in the mortification of crying at a sports bar, and I was ready to call it quits.

  “Oh, hey. I didn’t mean anything by that.” He reached across the table, but before he could cover my hand with his, he pulled his arm back to his side, as if the thought of touching me skeeved him out. “I’m an asshole. Just ignore me.”

  “It’s okay. You’re probably right.” I sniffled. “But I seriously didn’t know of any issues, and we never discussed anything that supported that argument.” I squared my shoulders before continuing. “He said he loved me. Said he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. I had no reason not to believe him. You know? So when he suddenly dumped me almost two weeks ago, it hit me hard.”

  “You poor kid.” Corbin patted my hand like a child, which made me pull mine back this time and hide it under the table. Kid? He was only four years older than me.

  “Yeah, well, the kicker was last week. My friends took me out to cheer me up, and we saw him. Only he wasn’t alone. He was with another woman. They were very familiar with one another. I instantly recognized her, but it took me a minute to place her. She’s his assistant.”

  “Okay. That makes things awkward.”