Page 9 of Mad Rivals

Page List

Font Size:

Thank God…something’s finally going my way.

CHAPTER 5: Kennedy Van Buren

Grande Iced Brown Sugar Oat Milk Shaken Espresso

I stare at my clothes as I try to figure out what to wear, and ultimately I go with my interview outfit—a knee-length black dress with a collar that buttons down to the belt and, of course, pockets, because what good is a dress without pockets?

I pair it with some demure black heels, and I glance in the mirror. I look professional and savvy and ready to stand quietly by my father’s side while he asks the important questions.

To that end, I decide to hit up Starbucks before I head into the office.

Clem went straight in since she has to fill out the paperwork with HR. I didn’t need to since I’ve been on the payroll since I was fourteen—and before that, my parents would just pay me under the table.

I guess working for Mom and Dad won’t be all bad.

And Clem’s got a good start as a junior assistant to the sales department. We won’t get to see each other too often at the office, but eventually I’m hoping I can move her to be my assistant.

I place my mobile order after I park in the parking garage, and I head to the Starbucks just down the block from the skyscraper in the Loop where my dad’s office is located.

I’m glad I went with my professional heels and not the Louboutins with the red bottoms. Those are gorgeous, and they’re my favorite…but the heel gets stuck in every crack on the sidewalk, and I likely would’ve fallen ten times by now.

When I arrive, I spot the line out the door to order coffee. People and their caffeine addictions.

Not that I’m any better. Thank God for the app.

I manage to wrestle my way inside, but it’s crowded and chaotic as I make my way toward the mobile pickup area.

I check for my name.

NoKennedytags sitting in the mobile pickup, so I cross my arms over my chest and wait.

Someone bumps into me—surely by accident, so I’m not really offended—and I glance over in that direction only to be met with possibly the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen.

Our eyes lock, my hazel ones with his dark brown, and a little tingle of something races down my spine as my stomach flips.

Holy hell, he’s hot.

Wavy, dark hair that’s definitely styled with some sort of pomade but still looks natural. A bit of scruff on his jaw to give him that bad boy edge. He’s wearing a suit, but a quick glance tells me he most definitely works out and he’s hiding a powerful, gorgeous body beneath that suit.

There’s something familiar about him, but I can’t quite put my finger on what it is.

Is this the kind of guy who works in these parts? Because, my God, I’ve been missing out. I could’ve been working here the last five years and met him and maybe we’d already be married with a kid or two…

He cuts into those fantasies with, “Sorry about that.” His voice is deep, sexy, and a bit commanding as his hand comes up to my arm to steady me.

Oh my God, he’s touching me.

My brain seems to short-circuit as I focus on the fact that his hand is currently branding my skin with heat, and I really wantto look over at said hand to see if there’s a gold band encircling his ring finger, but I can’t seem to tear my eyes away from his.

“Are you okay?” he asks, prompting my brain to try to figure out how to collect itself.

I nod as I blink. “Totally.”

Totally? Really, Kennedy?

I clear my throat awkwardly.

“This location is always like this,” he mutters.