Page 7 of Inevitable

“She did, but it was in Boston. But, like with everything else lately, she changed her mind. Which obviously didn’t go over well with the firm.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “This whole mess wouldn’t have happened if she’d listened to me in the first place and chosen Stanford for her MBA.”

That piqued my interest. “So why the shift?”

He lifted a shoulder. “I wish I knew. She’s been somewhat cagey about all of it. Though my guess is that it has something to do with this guy she was dating.”

Huh.Stanford and Wharton had two of the top MBA programs in the US. Neither was a bad choice, just different.

“And Iknowshe doesn’t want to go on Helena’s book tour, even if she won’t admit it.”

I frowned. “Why won’t she admit it?”

“You know Sum. She’s got a big heart, and she hates to disappoint people.”

I nodded. I remembered that about her. Even as a child, she’d been a people pleaser.

“I hate to ask this of you, but I just thought…” He paused. “I don’t know. I thought maybe spending the summer with you would be good for her. Help her toughen up a little.”

I chuckled. “So, you want me to be a jerk?”

“I didn’t say that, though we both know you can’t help yourself.”

“Hey!” I shoved the ball at him, but he caught it.

“I just think she could use someone like you in her life. Someone who can guide her, mentor her. And you two alwaysseemed to get along so well.”

True, but…“Have you talked to her about this? Is she even interested in commercial real estate?” I asked.

“Does it matter?” he asked. “Her resume is stellar, and she’s a hard worker. Besides, it’s only for the summer.”

Did I really have the time to take on another thing? I was already swamped as it was. And if she had no interest in commercial real estate, this summer would be nothing more than a big waste of time. That wouldn’t be good for either of us, let alone my relationship with Ian. It all sounded a bit too…messy. Complicated.

I must have taken too long to answer because Ian stood, tossing his towel aside and picking up the ball. “Never mind. Forget I asked. I know you’re too busy. I’m just—” He tugged on his hair. “I’m not sure what’s going on with her.”

“No. Wait.” I held up a hand. “I’ll do it.”

He paused midstep. “Are you sure?”

“Of course.” As much as I cared about Sumner, I wasn’t sure I wanted to mentor someone who wasn’t all in. That said, Ian was my best friend, and I’d do anything for him.

“Thank you.” He smiled. “That’s such a relief. I think this will be really good for her.”

I sensed there was more he wasn’t telling me, but I let it slide. “Send Cody her contact info, and I’ll have him reach out to her with the details.”

Ian smiled. “Great. You won’t regret this.”

I hoped he was right. If nothing else, babysitting Sumner might be a welcome change from the monotony that had become my life.

Chapter Three

“Hey, kiddo.” Dad pulled me into his arms the moment I climbed out of the car. My fellow Semester at Sea students and I had disembarked in San Diego, and while most students had flown home, I’d driven to LA in a rental car, and I was looking forward to being back in my Jeep Wrangler.

He squeezed me tightly. “I missed you.”

“Missed you too,” I mumbled into his chest, my eyes stinging. I’d missed him, perhaps even more than I’d realized. “But I kinda. Can’t. Breathe.”

“Oh, sorry.” He released me with a chuckle.

My visit at Christmas felt like a lifetime ago, though it had just been five months. That trip had only cemented my desire to move home to California. I’d had zero interest in returning to the East Coast, but with one semester left, I’d had little choice. But then a spot had opened up in the Semester at Sea program, and I’d jumped on it. I’d spent my last semester traveling the world, meeting new people, and discovering who I was and what I wanted.