Beneath the Rivalry

perfect GPA, clawing her way into the elite world of marketing despite the whispers abou

rble floor. The glass walls offered a panoramic view of downtown Montgomery, bu

Of all

er blonde ponytail bouncing. "You look l

bag onto her desk. "Guess who I'm coll

dened. "Pleas

ne," Celina f

wthorne? College arch-nemesis,

er leather chair. "Kingsley thinks it'll be

a cup of coffee in hand. "Think you can s

bridge of her nose. "I can't let him win,

lt her business from nothing-no family fortune, no cushy safety net

firmly. "Jake may be slick

umorless laugh.

elina steeled herself as Jake strolled in, every

thly, leaning against the doorframe. "I

ryly, meeting his gaze head-on. "Did you come

dropped a thick folder onto her desk. "I outlined a few start

gant

racticed efficiency. Annoyingly, his work was sharp. Focused

hough your consumer engagement

breath. "Is that the b

m saving the better ones f

her harder. To anyone watching, it would look like professional collaboration. But beneath the s

patience was han

ng back from her desk. "If we want Kingsley to take us

s if considering her wo

ked. "Ex

s the most obvious solution in t

," she said a

d. "Afraid you

tion. That was the worst part-he still g

And if you try to pull any of

said, as smo

-

hting, the kind of place where deals were made over ex

rd," she said, sliding into th

only someone born into privilege could

arm me into doing things your wa

d it

a cha

epened. "Did

poured sparkling water. When they were alon

own firm?" he asked, the

m. "I got tired of people assuming I didn't belong," she admi

nsity that made her stomach f

sier when he was infuriating. This..

n the focus. "Why the family business? I though

g across his face. "Let's just say proving

t facade. And against her better j

hing," she said qu

e air between them thickening

shaking her head.

," he said,

rifying second, she wondered if maybe he was ri

by

ive click. "If we're doing this, we

hesitation. "But be warned

she shot back, l

s mess started, she thought that