3. Ava
Ava
It’s a beautiful day. The kind of day that I would love to spend at the beach or maybe people watching at the pier. Or snorkeling. I love snorkeling. I could be at La Jolla Cove right now.
But no.
I’m inside. I’m stuck in my apartment trying to find a job so I can keep my apartment. There are no more excuses for me to be depending on my parents.
I’m a big girl now. I’ve got my shiny new degree, and I need to find a job that will support me.
I squint against the glare as I scroll through yet another job posting on my laptop, the screen blurring in front of my tired eyes. My coffee has gone cold.
I’ve been here for hours. Days, really. Weeks. Not in this exact seat but doing the same thing every morning.
It’s been almost three months since I moved back to San Diego, and I’m no closer to finding a job than I was when I first started looking.
A bachelor’s degree in business administration and a couple of years of HR experience don’t seem to count for much these days.
Every posting wants five years of experience, a master’s degree, and fluency in three languages.
I’m starting to think I should’ve gone into something more practical, like underwater basket weaving.
I sigh and close my laptop, leaning back in my chair.
My savings run out next month. If I can’t find the job I want, I’m going to have to find a job I need.
In LA, I waited tables and worked for peanuts at a law firm in their HR department.
I lived with three other roommates to cut down on costs.
I knew it was going to be a challenge to find a job after I graduated, but I didn’t think it would be this hard.
I had a job in LA. I could have been sitting in a cushy office making decent money. But no. Ethan took that from me. Along with my ability to feel safe in Los Angeles.
I shake it off. I’m fine. I am going to find a job. It is just going to take a little effort.
My phone buzzes on the table, and I glance at the screen. It’s a notification from one of the job boards I’ve been stalking. I open it, half-expecting another dead end, but the posting catches my eye immediately.
HR Generalist – Fast-Growing Tech Company – San Diego
I click on it, my heart racing as I skim the description.
It’s perfect. Exactly the kind of role I’ve been looking for.
The company is looking for someone with my exact skill set—someone who can handle recruitment, employee relations, and onboarding.
The salary is competitive, and the benefits are insane.
I’m about to hit the “Apply Now” button when I see it.
The company name.
Sullivan Tech.
My stomach drops.
No. It can’t be.
I click on the company profile, hoping I’m wrong, but there it is, staring back at me in bold letters: Sullivan Tech, founded by Nicholas Sullivan.
Nick.
Of course it’s Nick’s company. Because why wouldn’t it be? Why wouldn’t the universe throw this in my face right now?
I close my eyes, trying to steady my breathing. The memory of that night in Cancun still haunts me. It’s been a week, and I swear I can still feel him.
His face flashes through my mind—his hands on my skin, his lips on mine, the way he looked at me like I was the most beautiful woman he ever laid eyes on. And then it was over.
I haven’t heard from him since. Not that I expected to.
Nick isn’t the kind of guy who chases after one-night stands.
He’s the kind of guy who moves on to the next thing without looking back.
I remember being in high school and hearing about my brother and Nick going out.
Before Jessie met Lisa, he was a player.
I don’t think Nick is going to settle down anytime soon, though. Why would he? He is mega-rich. Stupid gorgeous. And damn, the man was good in bed. He doesn’t need to settle. He is going to keep playing the field.
I suppose I can’t blame him.
I stare at the job posting again. I should forget I ever saw it. Working for Nick would be a disaster. It’s bad enough that I hooked up with my brother’s best friend; working for him would just make everything ten times worse.
And I’m not sure I have the self-control not to want him again.
Because honestly, if I have to be around him, I am going to want him. I’d probably find myself drooling.
But I remember Jessie saying that Nick is rarely in California. Getting him to the wedding was nothing short of a miracle. So … that would mean Nick isn’t actually going to be at the office.
The job is perfect.
I bite my lip, weighing my options. Nick’s probably too busy jet-setting and enjoying his billionaire playboy lifestyle to be involved in the day-to-day operations of the company.
He probably doesn’t even know who’s working for him.
And even if he does, it’s not like he’d care.
It was one night. He’s probably forgotten all about it by now.
And I’m his best friend’s little sister.
That could work to my advantage. I don’t want to pull the friend card, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
I really do not want to go back to waiting tables.
I will swallow my pride and beg Jessie to convince Nick to give me the job if I have to.
Before I can talk myself out of it, I hit the “Apply Now” button and upload my resume.
What’s the worst that could happen?
With the application sent, I get up and get ready to go to the hospital.
The hospital smells like antiseptic and despair.
I hate hospitals. Always have. But my sister’s here, and I’m anxious to see her.
I take the elevator to the maternity ward, clutching a bouquet of onesies and a stuffed blue whale. The nurse at the desk points me to room 312. I take a deep breath before pushing the door open.
Amelia is sitting up in bed, her dark hair pulled into a messy ponytail, her face pale but glowing. In her arms is the tiniest human I’ve ever seen—a perfect little bundle wrapped in a blue blanket.
“Ava!” she says, her face lighting up when she sees me. “You’re here!”
“Of course I’m here,” I say, setting the gifts on the table beside her bed. “I couldn’t miss meeting my nephew.”
I lean over to get a better look at the baby. My heart melts. He’s so small, his little face scrunched up like he’s already annoyed with the world.
“He’s beautiful,” I say, my voice catching.
Amelia smiles, her eyes shining with tears. “Isn’t he? I still can’t believe he’s here. He wasn’t supposed to come for another two weeks, but he clearly had other plans.”
I laugh, pulling up a chair beside the bed. “Well, he’s definitely a Coleman. He’s going to be a rebel.”
Amelia groans, leaning her head back against the pillows. “Don’t remind me. I’m already dreading the teenage years.”
I carefully take the bundle and stare at him. “He doesn’t feel like six pounds,” I tell her.
“Trust me, he felt like fifty pounds during delivery.”
“And how are you?” I ask. “Blood pressure back down?”
She nods. “Yep. They say I can probably go home tomorrow.”
“Good.”
Her pregnancy had gotten a little complicated toward the end. I almost didn’t go to Jessie’s wedding because I was worried about her. But Amelia insisted I go. She felt bad enough that she had to miss our brother’s wedding.
“Are you going to show me the wedding pictures?” she asks.
“Of course.”
“I am so bummed we couldn’t go,” she sighs.
“Trust me, you didn’t miss anything. It was hot, humid, and sticky.”
“You don’t have to pretend it was terrible,” she says with a laugh. “John promised he’ll take me to Cancun soon.”
I reach into my back pocket and hand her my phone. She takes it and pulls up the photos.
She pauses on a photo of the reception, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Whoa, is that Nick?” she asks. Nick is in the background, his signature smirk plastered across his face as he raises a glass in my direction.
I feel my cheeks flush. “Yep.”
“Wow, he got hotter.”
I shrug, trying to play it cool. “Yeah, I guess he’s okay.”
She gives me a knowing look. “Okay? Are you blind? That man is not just ‘okay.’” She scrolls to the next photo, which just so happens to be another one of Nick and Jessie. She scowls and looks up at me. “I’m seeing a trend here.”
“He was Jessie’s best man,” I say defensively.
“Sure. And he certainly makes the pictures a little nicer to look at, right?”
“I’ll remind you I’m holding your newborn son that your very attractive and loving husband helped to make.”
She grins and puts the phone down. “I’m married and a new mom. I’m not dead. I can still appreciate an attractive male.”
I know what she’s doing. She’s my big sister and has literally known me my entire life. We are best friends. She knows me too well. Amelia is picking up on the vibes I’m so desperately trying to squash.
“Michael, your mommy is stirring up drama,” I say to the baby in my arms.
Amelia laughs. “Yeah, yeah. We’ll talk later. How’s the job hunt going?”
“It’s … going. I actually applied for a new job today. It’s perfect—great salary, amazing benefits, and it’s right here in San Diego.”
“That’s great!” Amelia says, her face lighting up. “What’s the company?”
I hesitate, my stomach twisting into knots. “Sullivan Tech.”
Amelia’s eyes widen. “Nick’s company?”
I nod, bracing myself for the inevitable lecture.
“Ava, is that a good idea? I’m not going to make you tell me what happened in Mexico, but it’s pretty clear there was something. Is working for him a good idea? He’s Jessie’s best friend. I see this ending poorly.”
“Why not?” I say, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “It’s a great opportunity, and it’s not like I’d be working directly with him. He’s not even going to notice I’m there.”
Amelia gives me a look, like she can see right through me. “What happened?” she asks.
“You said you weren’t going to ask.”
“No, I said I wasn’t going to make you tell me, but I’ve changed my mind. What happened?”
I hesitate, not sure how much to tell her. But Amelia’s always been able to get the truth out of me, and I’m too tired to fight it.
“I hooked up with him,” I say finally, my voice barely above a whisper.
Amelia’s eyes go wide. “You what?”
“It just … happened. The last night I was there. And then I left, and that’s that.”
Amelia stares at me for a long moment, like she’s trying to decide if I’m serious. Then she shakes her head, letting out a low whistle. “Ava, you’re crazy.”
“I know,” I groan.
“Nick is a playboy,” Amelia says. “He’s not the kind of guy you get involved with. He’s the kind of guy who breaks hearts and doesn’t look back.”
“You were just saying how attractive he is.”
“Yes, but I didn’t say have sex with him.”
I scowl, looking down at the innocent baby in my arms. “Your son can hear you.”
“If my two-day-old son understands the word sex, I’m well on my way to being richer than your boy toy.”
“He’s not my boy toy.”
“Ava, you’re playing with fire. Working for him? After that? What exactly is your plan here?”
I sigh, adjusting the blanket around Michael’s tiny frame. “I don’t have a plan. I just need a job. A good one. And Sullivan Tech is the best option right now. It’s not like I’m going to walk in there and announce that I slept with the CEO. It’s a big company. I’ll just stay out of his way.”
She raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. “Uh-huh.”
“You’re not helping,” I mutter. “It’s a really good job, Amelia.”
Amelia gives me a skeptical look. “You’re playing with fire, Ava.”
“I’ll be fine. I only applied. I don’t even have an interview. Save your lecture for when I actually get the job.”
Amelia sighs, shaking her head. “Just be careful, okay? Nick’s easy on the eyes, but he’s not worth the heartache.”