.

      “Exactly what I just said,” Kellen responded. He was careful not to sound disrespectful. “Mom, you rarely disagree with Dad over anything. So this doesn’t surprise me that you’d side with him on this, too. Allies must present a united front, after all.”

      “Son, I’m not siding with anyone,” Barbara stated. “In case you have forgotten, I’ve been in business for a while. If the decision had been mine to make—I would’ve made the same one.”

      “I’ve done everything I could to earn your trust.” Kellen sighed in resignation. “What else do I need to do?”

      “Nothing,” she responded.

      Barbara’s warm brown eyes bored into his as she folded her hands in her lap—hands that were now adorned with a new wedding set. “This is not about trust, Kellen. This is a business decision and not a personal one. The fact that you haven’t realized this confirms that you are not ready for such a position.”

      Kellen’s mouth tightened in response. He glanced over at the ring on his mother’s finger and said, “Blaze and I helped Dad pick that ring for you. I knew how much you loved emerald-cut diamonds.”

      She smiled. “I figured as much. Malcolm would’ve just picked something more extravagant.”

      “The one he had in mind was nice, but I told him that you wouldn’t like it.”

      She reached over and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “Son, keep an open mind. Learn the ropes and—”

      “And maybe one day my chance will come,” Kellen finished for her. He rose to his feet. “Got it.”

      “Don’t you dare walk away from me, young man.”

      He turned to face his mother. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful, but I just don’t have anything else to say.”

      Barbara merely raised an elegant eyebrow. “Fine,” she responded firmly. “Then we don’t need to discuss this anymore. It is what it is and you will have to adjust. Kellen, I know that you will because you are your father’s son.”

      He glared at her, and she stared him down.

      * * *

      Addison met her best friend, Tia Browning, for dinner at the Cheesecake Factory in Beverly Hills. She had called her a week ago to tell her about the new position.

      Dressed in a fashionable red-and-black pantsuit, Tia stood outside the restaurant waiting for her to cross the street. She switched her red leather tote from her left shoulder to her right.

      “Hey, lady,” Addison greeted her with a smile.

      They embraced.

      “Congratulations on your promotion to director,” Tia said. “Girl, I’m so happy for you.”

      Addison broke into a grin. “Thank you. I have to confess that I didn’t really think I’d get the job.”

      “Dinner’s on me tonight,” Tia stated. “I just got a huge bonus from work so we’re celebrating.”

      “A bonus. Congratulations to you.”

      They were seated a few minutes later.

      “I’m really excited about this new role,” Addison stated as she picked up her menu. “The only thing I’m a little nervous about is that a member of the Alexander family is working under me.”

      “Really?” Tia pushed her menu to the side and leaned forward. “Which one?”

      “Kellen,” she responded. “He’s the youngest son.”

      A waitress who identified herself as Paula greeted them warmly as she pulled out a pen and paper to take their drink selections.

      When she walked away, Tia continued their conversation. “I read somewhere that he was away at college on the East Coast.”

      Addison picked up her menu. “He graduated last June and now he wants to join the family business.”

      “Are you going to be able to concentrate with such a gorgeous man like that around? Girl, I have to tell you—that is one good-looking family.”

      She chuckled. “He’s going to be my employee, Tia. Besides, I’m five years older than him.”

      Paula reappeared with drinks for them. After setting them down on the table, she pulled out a pen and pad to write down their orders.

      She disappeared around a corner and into a nearby wait station.

      Tia took a sip of her wine. “I don’t know if I could do it.”

      Addison laughed. “Regardless of how handsome he is, I’m not at all interested in mixing my love life with my business. You know that only leads to trouble.”

      “There are quite a few workplace romances that work out.”

      “I don’t know of any.”

      “Yeah, you say that now...”

      “I’m serious. I don’t want to deal with any drama in the office if things don’t work out. It’s not professional, either.”

      “I don’t know, girlfriend. Kellen Alexander looks exactly like your type.”

      “He may look like my type, but I’m not letting him get anywhere near me outside of work. I intend to focus on my job.”

      “Tell me that after you’ve worked with him for about three months,” Tia said with a grin.

      “There’s a fine line between romance and sexual harassment,” Addison stated.

      “I doubt that Kellen is going to consider suing you.”

      She took a sip of her iced tea. “I’m not taking any chances.”

      “Like I said,” Tia uttered, placing her napkin across her lap as their food arrived. “Three months from now, we’ll see if you feel the same way.”

      “I was once told that I’d never be CEO of a major corporation because I didn’t go for the jugular,” Addison stated. “At the time, I took that to mean I wasn’t tough enough, that I didn’t have what it took to play the power games at any cost. Well, he was right at the time. Other things were equally important to me and I did not want to spend my life—every waking moment—thinking about business and the power games I would have to play to make it in the big leagues. Then my mother died and everything changed for me. Tia, I’m not about to let Kellen Alexander destroy all the hard work it took to get where I am.”

      * * *

      Kellen was still upset over the job situation, and for the moment, he did not want to be anywhere near his parents. However, it was unavoidable because he was living in their house. This morning, he purposely stayed in his room until he knew they were gone. He knew that his parents religiously went on an early-morning stroll daily.

      He was surprised to see Zaire seated at the breakfast table when he entered the kitchen. Kellen had no idea that his sister was there. He didn’t have dinner at home last night and had stayed out until he was sure his parents had retired for the evening.

      “Good morning,” she said brightly.

      “What’s so good about it?” he grumbled as he dropped down in the seat across from her. “What are you doing here, anyway? Don’t you have a house of your own? I know your husband is back in town. I talked to him last night.”

      “What’s wrong with you?” Zaire asked, wearing a frown on her face. “I know you’re not a morning person, but you’re usually not so snappy. As for why I’m here—Mom and I are going shopping for the nursery.”

      “I’m sorry,” Kellen responded. “I didn’t mean to snap at you like that. I’m just in a bad mood.” He and Zaire had shared an apartment while they were in grad school. She graduated a couple