The Rules Of Attraction

by Khardine Gray

  I couldn’t remember a time when I didn’t live to try and please my father in some form of way. I was still me, and still acted out in ways I wanted but within reason. Always within reason. Not like this, blinded by my need to be part of the senior partnership.

  I couldn’t represent Devon, and today what I should have been doing was trying to find all ways to expose the man for what he was.

  However there was more to consider. Summer was disappointed in me and I knew my father would be hurt by this.

  “You’re right Marc.”

  “You know what Alex. I don’t think I’ve ever told you about my serious attachment issues.” Marc chuckled.

  “What attachment issues?”

  “The attachment issues that makes me go where you go, get in trouble for you, make an idiot of myself because you told me to.”

  Ugh he was still talking about that freshman year stunt I pulled when I got him to ask out Catarina St. John. The woman was a dead ringer for Claudia Schiffer. Marc would turn into a babbling fool when he saw her so I dared him to ask her out. The poor guy couldn’t even get the words out of his mouth so I had to ask her for him.

  I laughed at the memory.

  “If you’re referring to Catarina, it worked out well didn’t it? You guys dated for a year until she moved to England.”

  Marc grimaced. “I still looked like a fool, Alex.”

  “But a good fool, no?”

  “No.” He frowned.

  “But yet you still see her.” I teased him. He didn’t know that I knew all about his quarterly visits to England for God knew how long.

  “How in the hell did you find out about that?” He looked shocked.

  “I’m your best friend Marc, my job is to snoop around where my nose doesn’t belong, and never mind my business when it comes to you.”

  Marc shook his head at me. ”Whatever man, that’s a story for another time. Anyway and back to the point. I’m trying to say we’re friends, and I’ve tended to follow you wherever you go. Have you ever thought of not trying to please your dad, and maybe just doing what you want. It’ll take guts but I think you’d be happier for it. Like maybe Sullivan’s isn’t exactly the place for you. Maybe you could flourish better somewhere else. And I’d go with you.”

  “You’d go with me if I left Sullivan’s? Marc, I couldn’t do that to you. You have a good thing going there.”

  “It is good, but you’re my best friend. What’s the point of having things good when they could be better. And when I say better I’m including a lot. I may make a million dollars a year but would happily take a massive pay cut to spend more time with the woman of my dreams. Sullivan’s pays well but I’m good. We’re a duo.”

  I was touched to hear that.

  “We’re a duo. Thanks, Marc, that means a lot. I’m lucky.”

  “We both are. We’ve always been great as a team, imagine where life could take us next if we really put our heads together. Like Iron Man and Captain America. I’m Iron Man by the way.” For show he ran his hands through his dark locks.

  I laughed at him but then bit the inside of my lip as an idea popped in my mind.

  It was one that would have normally terrified me, one that I would have pushed away if it didn’t feel so right.

  Something inside me lifted and felt hopeful.

  My hands stilled the more I considered it.

  If it worked it could fix everything.

  And I could get my angel back.

  No, not could.

  Would.

  Whatever happened she would be my priority, even if I had to go to Dubai with her.

  There was no way that I was going to live the rest of my life without her.

  No way in hell.

  I wasn’t stupid, or blind.

  There was a reason why I’d never met anyone else like Summer.

  It was because there wasn’t anyone else like her.

  And, I was still trying to make her mine.

  Chapter 28

  Alex

  My father stormed into my office and closed the door.

  I was over by the bookshelf taking down the last few books.

  “Alex, what the hell is this?” He snapped, eyes wild with a mixture of emotion as he held up the letter I left for him this morning.

  I looked away and marched over to the desk with the boxes I’d laid out.

  The one with the books was already full. I hadn’t realized I had that many books.

  “Alex.” He prodded with that insistent tone, and walked right up to me.

  “I’ve always done the same thing as everyone else here. Never taking short cuts because I’m your son.”

  “Son, now’s not the time for riddles.”

  “It’s not a riddle, dad. I’m simply telling you I don’t expect to have any special treatment. I entered the same way as everyone else, and I’m leaving the same way.”

  “You’re seriously resigning? Leaving?” His voice shook and he looked withered.

  His shoulders slumped and his hands seemed to shake as he placed my resignation letter on the desk.

  That was part one of my plan.

  That letter was the first thing I wrote this morning. It came after I thought about how to write it and what I wanted to say.

  In it, I thanked him for all he’d done for me, but then I listed all the reasons why I had to leave.

  In the back I enclosed all the findings we had so far on Devon with explanations of what it all meant. It didn’t look like my father had reached that part yet.

  I rested a hand on his shoulder. “You are my idol, my role model, and I’ve always wanted to be you. Just like you. That’s why I can’t stay.”

  “Alex, I’m touched to hear that, truly touched to hear that, because at one point I thought you hated me. But it makes no sense. I can’t accept your resignation. This is your birthright.”

  “Dad, I can’t be who I am here. I don’t fit as a follower. I’m a leader.” I borrowed Marc’s words because they were true to my character and personality. It explained me so well. “I do these crazy things that people don’t like but I don’t care if they like it or not, if what I’m doing is right. I know I’m not to everyone’s taste, but I don’t care. People look down on me for standing up for others, people look down on me for giving away my services for free because some of my clients can’t afford it. They say whatever they want, but I don’t care. The thing that makes me, me is I do whatever’s necessary to make sure I do the right thing.”

  I nodded and smiled but then my smile fell when I thought of what happened yesterday, and over the last few weeks. “Great grandpa Ted must have rubbed off on me, because he didn’t take orders well either, and thank God he didn’t because hundreds of people are alive today because of him. I almost lost myself this week, because I wanted to please you and it was for a thing I wanted so badly and worked hard for.”

  “Alex, you worked hard to be senior partner. You can’t just throw that away.”

  “I know, but I don’t want it anymore.” I shook my head. “And no hard feelings. I will say though that, I almost destroyed our name because you told me not to go looking for anything that wasn’t relevant to the case. Did you see what I left in the envelope? There’s more than just my resignation.”

  “I skimmed through it and what I saw made me sick.”

  “I’m glad you saw, and I hope that you’ll take action.”

  “I’m going to contact the feds, Alex.” Dad nodded. “Devon has been my friend for years, since before you were born and it’s a hard thing for me to accept that he’s done so much wrong, but it’s harder for me to accept your resignation. Alex, you can’t leave. I was hard on you, and I forced this case on you. I know that was wrong. I never wanted to push you away.”

  “I know, I do know. And honestly, it’s fine. Things happen for a reason. I enjoyed working here, and working with you, but in order to reach my true potential I have to leave and do my own thing. Preston and Johnson will make a good
team. You were right Johnson does work hard and he deserves to be senior partner.”

  “But, you’re my son and you deserve to run the place.” He was shaking his head.

  “I’ll be fine dad.”

  What will you do?”

  I smiled. “I have an idea that will take some time to put in motion but it’s an idea that I’m determined to make work.”

  “I feel like I failed you.”

  “No, don’t. Don’t feel that way. I don’t want you to. How about I see you later for dinner, I’ll even annoy you a little bit more than I did last week.”

  “What am I going to do with you?”

  “I don’t know, dad.” I laughed, feeling a little less tension than I did earlier.

  He pulled me in for a hug. “You let me know if you need anything, anything at all. Just say.”

  “I will.”

  “I’m so proud of you, so very proud.”

  Those words seeped into me just like they did yesterday, but filled me with more encouragement.

  “Thanks dad.”

  Now on to the next part of this plan of mine.

  I had to get my angel back.

  Eilesh smiled when she opened her door, but the minute she folded her arms I knew I’d better say the right things to get past her.

  “Alex Sullivan, please tell me you’ve come armed with some way of making my best friend happy again, if not you can’t come in.”

  I laughed. “This is exactly why I like you. You say what’s on your mind.”

  “I do, and I’m serious. I like you too, always have and I consider us friends, but no one messes with my girl. So state your business.”

  I straightened up. “Yes ma’am. I am here to speak to Summer. I’d like to apologize and get my girl back.”

  “She told me what happened. Not specifics, but enough. I can tell you now that if you’re here to tell her how well your little plan will work don’t bother.”

  “Eilesh, I plan to do whatever it takes to make her happy.”

  She smiled wide at my answer and stepped aside so I could enter. “She’s in the garden.”

  “Thank you.”

  I made my way through the house and down the steps that led into the garden.

  When I saw Summer, I stopped in my tracks. I had to take a moment to look. Just like I did that first night at the club.

  She grabbed my attention and my heart. That night she was amongst a sea of people. Now she was standing in the center of a sea of the most beautiful roses I’d ever seen. But the most beautiful of roses was her.

  The angel.

  She had on a yellow summer dress that looked striking against her golden skin and that platinum hair that she’d pulled up on top of her head in a loose bun. The style showed off her elegant neck, and the grace and poise that emanated from her.

  Just like that night she turned and saw me and stared back, eyes wide with anticipation.

  I proceeded my walk towards her, love fueling my steps, pulling me towards her like a magnet.

  I wanted to take her into my arms and hold her forever, but I had to win her back first.

  I stopped just a breath away and stood before her, humbling myself so I wouldn’t appear to be that cocky, arrogant guy she knew me to be.

  “Alex.” She said my name on the edge of a whisper.

  “Opposites don’t just attract, they belong together.” I smiled at her, taking in her beauty.

  “Is that a new rule you made up?”

  “That’s rule number seven. If you don’t burn out after following the other rules then there’s a chance you belong together.”

  “What happens then? Doesn’t sound much like it’s mere attraction anymore.” She gave me a little smile but looked down at the soft grass that curled about her bare feet.

  I reached out and touched her chin, guiding her back to face me.

  “It’s not. But the thing is, it wasn’t just attraction in the first place. It was love.”

  The light in her eyes came back in an instant and my heart soared.

  That was the second time in my life that I’d experienced the feeling. Both times were with her.

  “Love?”

  “I’ve never been in love before, but I think I must have loved you from first sight. I couldn’t begin to think up any form of rule for love. It’s too big for me. I know though that love is forever.”

  “Alex, you always find a way to speak to my heart.” A tear ran down her cheek. “I love you too, and it turns out that I didn’t know what love was until I met you.”

  I bowed my head and kissed her forehead wanting to relish the moment. But there was more to say.

  “I didn’t mean to disappoint you and let you down.” I breathed. “You’re right, I didn’t act the way I should have, and I was selfish to even consider myself over doing what was right.”

  “It’s okay. I’m glad you’ve realized that. You’re a good man, I want to believe that those still exist.”

  “They do and you know what?”

  “What?” her eyes sparkled with wonder.

  “They follow the women they love wherever they go.”

  She looked at me as if she was trying to determine if I was being serious, cheeks tickled pink.

  “Really?” she asked.

  “Yeah, so, where you go I follow. If that’s Dubai, then that’s where I’ll be.”

  “I can’t believe what you’re saying. You can’t do that, you have all these dreams about being a senior partner. You can’t just follow me.” She dabbed at the tear that ran down her cheek.

  “Summer, I meant every word I said. You know I do. I do have an idea though that I think you may like.”

  “What’s that?” A smile of enchantment touched her lips.

  “I left Sullivan’s this morning.”

  “What do you mean by you left?” Now she looked confused.

  “I left Summer, as in I resigned.”

  Her mouth dropped. “What! How comes?”

  “I never fit in there. I need to be somewhere where I’m free to follow my instincts, and free to do what I think fits. I’d like to do that with you.”

  She laughed. “How are we going to do that?”

  “Our own firm.”

  She gasped pulling in a sharp breath, and clutching her hand to her chest.

  “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, angel. Imagine having our own firm. You and me. We’ll be partners, and we’ll run it together. Marc’s already agreed to work for us.”

  Part two of my plan.

  Last night I ran this whole idea past Marc. He was thrilled with it, and ready to join. Always and ever my best friend. We come as a duo, he reminded me.

  I was lucky to have him.

  “Wouldn’t you want to do this with Marc?” Her hand was still at her chest.

  “He doesn’t want to be part of a partnership, he thinks it will get in the way of what he wants to do. He wants to be in charge of the trainees and scholarship program. You know do all that stuff by travelling to colleges and representing us.”

  “You have this all figured out.” Her voice shook and more tears spilled down her cheeks.

  I cupped her face. “No more tears angel. No more. I don’t like to see you cry.”

  “I’m so happy, Alex. I haven’t felt like this in so long I can’t remember. I’ve always wanted to have my own firm.”

  “Does that mean you’re saying yes?”

  “Yes, oh my God, yes.”

  “Are you sure? That would mean turning Morgan and Ackerman down.” I teased.

  “Yes.” She laughed. “Our own firm Alex. That’s my dream.”

  “Your dreams are my dreams.”

  “I can’t believe it, and us together. You’re amazing. Thank you so much.”

  I cupped her face. “No it’s you Summer. It’s you, angel.”

  She moved in to kiss me sealing herself to me. Every kiss was a reminder of how lucky I was to have found love.

  “I love you
Alex Sullivan.” Summer whispered against my lips.

  “I love you too, Summer Daniels. Angel.” I smiled, relishing the taste of her and of love.

  Summer

  My head was spinning, and elation coursed through my body.

  I tried so hard to contain myself but I couldn’t.

  The excitement, surprise, the shock. It was all so much.

  It was a dream come true.

  He was a dream come true, because with him came everything else. all that I’d ever wanted and desired.

  I thought back to months ago when I first came to Chicago.

  It was a gloomy day when my bus pulled into the station, and I was weary from the journey I’d had.

  Not just the bus journey, but the journey life had put me on.

  So much had happened to me at that point and I couldn’t see how I was ever going to fix things.

  It was all so uncertain.

  I never, ever imagined that things would work out this way.

  Love was definitely not part of the equation, and neither was owning my own firm.

  I couldn’t get past that part. It just seemed that things were bad for so long that I never thought they’d ever be good again.

  I kissed him again, savoring the way he made me feel, and all the hope that he brought.

  “Come home with me.” Alex pulled away and beamed at me. His eyes turned that liquid silver color that fascinated me.

  “Yes.” I nodded excitedly

  He stretched out his hand and I took it, ready to be led to the next adventure.

  Instead of wanting to escape life.

  I wanted to throw myself into it.

  I wanted to live life with him.

  My angel.

  Epilogue

  Summer

  Two years later…

  Abigale Hemingdale looked exactly like her mother.

  I couldn’t get over the striking resemblance. She had the same dainty, pixie features as Eilesh and I swore she even made the same faces as her too.