Page 22 of Knocked Up by my Best Friend's Brothers

She sits next to me but makes sure to lean forward and give the Hawthornes a warm, flirtatious wink. “You gentlemen are looking dapper as ever. Glad you invited me for this,” she says, and every word makes my entrails twist in an uncomfortable manner while I struggle to keep my friendly face on. “Though I’m not technically staff.”

“You’re a friend of the corporation and a partner in our green energy department, so it made all the sense in the world that you should join us this morning,” Cassius replies.

“It won’t take long; don’t worry,” River adds, and I can tell he’s a tad more tense about Alexandra’s presence than Cassius and Nathan are. “I’m sure you’ve got better things to do with your time.”

“And you must be Christa Campbell,” Alexandra says, shifting her focus to me.

“That I am.”

I tune out the murmurs of the people behind us as more staff members come into the room—the last ones, judging by the few empty chairs left. But Alexandra’s presence makes me feel apprehensive.

“I’ve heard wonderful things about you,” Alexandra tells me. “You’re leading their fintech department, right? The payment apps, the bank stuff?”

I chuckle softly. “Yes, the bank stuff as well. Thank you.”

“Forgive me, I don’t handle anything financial in my company. I’ve got great people on my payroll for that. All I do is skim the reports and pray to God I make informed decisions.” She laughs; it’s a sultry sound.

“Verdant Ventures is fairly successful, I’m told.”

“We’re getting there,” she says. “It’s a new company, but the funds are fresh and eager to be doled out, which is why I’m here today.”

“It’s a good field to explore. Renewables are the future.”

“Oh, yes, they are. And with brilliant, business-savvy minds such as theirs,” she says, nodding at the Hawthornes, “we’re going to make quite the stir on the market.”

“Alright, I’ll go first,” Cassius says, then gets up and looks around. “I think we’ve got everyone here.”

I sink into my chair, naturally inclined to make myself as small and as unnoticeable as possible while Cassius goes to the podium and greets his executives with a broad smile and a powerful voice that echoes across the large room.

“You’re nervous,” Alexandra whispers.

I’m not sure if she’s trying to poke me or trying to be nice.

“Yeah, I am,” I reply with a deep sigh.

“Let me guess, they’re going to have you go up there and introduce yourself.”

“Yeah.”

“Just pick someone in the crowd to look at,” she says while Cassius delivers a quick introductory speech about the last quarter and where the corporation is headed in the following quarter. “Forget about everyone else. Look at this person and tell them what you want to tell them.”

I almost laugh. “I know the Hawthornes, though. It would be ridiculous to introduce myself to them. I guess my brain can’t process that.”

“Look at me then,” Alexandra suggests.

“Without further ado, pleas welcome our new partner in the green energy department, Alexandra Jones of Verdant Ventures!” Cassius announces.

“Oops, that’s me,” she says and gets up.

Instantly, she shines like the morning star, bright and breezy, as she makes her way to the podium. Everything about her is in perfect control while the crowd claps to welcome her into the fold. Her gaze wanders across the room, and I can tell she’s enjoying the spotlight. Fearless. Composed. The complete opposite of me.

And she keeps smiling at the three brothers. It bugs the hell out of me.

“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” Alexandra says. “Like Cassius just said, I’m here as a partner solely in the green energy department since I’ll be providing the funds for the equipment needed to get the branch off the ground. Needless to say, I am super excited to be a part of this venture and to, hopefully, be responsible for generating plenty of new jobs in a city and state where the ballooning unemployment rate is in need of deflating.”

She laughs lightly, and the crowd laughs with her. They agree.

“Interesting woman,” River whispers in my ear.

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