Page 18 of Knocked Up by my Best Friend's Brothers

“Define equal partnership,” she says. “If I’m offering $3 billion for this, what are you offering?”

“Obviously not as much in terms of funds, but we have the properties already lined up for the wind and solar farm development, the logistics, and the manpower,” my twin brother replies. “If we’re to do the math on this, in detail, you’d find it a fair match. Numbers are in there,” he adds, pointing at the folder of printouts in front of her.

“We’d need your funds to purchase the equipment, cover the government fees, and support the entire development, from ground to plug-in, so to speak,” I add.

Alexandra thinks about it for a moment. “Equal partnership. I suppose that means sharing the good and the bad, right?”

“Fifty-fifty on profits, fifty-fifty on losses or any fines that may arise in the process,” Nathan says, eyes on his phone. “Legislation around green energy at a state level is still being hashed out. Oil and gas lobbyists have made it difficult for our representatives to push significant reform through the state house and senate over the past couple of years, but we’re optimistic.”

“How so?”

“Ever since they legalized weed, we figured it’s only a matter of time before there’s progress in other fields.” I chuckle softly.

Alexandra laughs and subtly touches the side of her neck. She wants to draw my attention there, in particular. I wonder if she knows how well I can read her. “Well, then, we’re off to a good start. Why don’t you walk me through your presentation. We’ll tweak the details along the way, and I’ll have my lawyers draw up a preliminary contract by the end of the week.”

My brothers and I exchange glances. “You want to jump in, then,” Cassius concludes.

“Yes,” she says. “But I will need an office here until we get the farms up and running. I like to take a hands-on approach.”

That sets me back a bit. I don’t like it. And Alexandra can tell.

“What do you mean by hands-on?” I ask.

“Oh, don’t worry. I wouldn’t be interfering in any of the day-to-day operations, gentlemen. It’s just my way of keeping my eyes on the prize. Of staying close to my partners and making sure my investment is being used to its fullest potential. No micromanagement on my part; I promise.”

“Okay.”

“Just the occasional Friday night negroni.” She gives me a playful wink.

Ah. She’s flirting. Great. Tough luck, though, because my mind and my body have recently become irreversibly attached to a gorgeous, curvy blonde who’s about to come to work for us as well. I plan to give her all my attention—and so do my brothers.

We do need Alexandra Jones, however. Her short-term physical presence at our offices is a price we’ll have to pay. Her funds are essential to getting our projects off the ground sooner rather than later—and sooner, given the current state of the green energy market, is precisely what’s going to propel our family’s prestige into the stratosphere.

5

Christa

“I’m in so much trouble.” I sigh as I sit behind my desk.

I have my own office. It’s spacious and airy, flooded with natural light. Clean and elegant, with sleek wood furniture and steel finishes, and a top-of-the-line computer system with six different screens for my coding needs.

“I gave them the list and they sure delivered,” I say to myself as I analyze my desktop carefully.

The door opens, and I shoot up from my seat as if I was just caught trespassing.

“Am I intruding?” Cassius asks with a half-smile, his eyes quick to drill into my soul.

I shake my head. “Not at all. Just getting the lay of the land.”

“First day on the job, Miss Head of Financial Technology,” he says and comes in, slowly closing the door behind him. “How are you settling in?”

“Well, thank you. Although I don’t know why you put me up here.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your offices are right next to mine. This is the top executive floor. I’m just here to help develop a new branch that isn’t even fully operational yet.”

“And?”

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