Beyond The Blueprint

By Angela K Parker

Logan

 

The boss's daughter. The untouchable. The unbeatable. That's what everyone thinks of me.

 

When a new business deal presents itself, my father jumps at the chance to win the bid, and I'm thrown into an unexpected competition with one of my co-workers. From the start, something felt off about the arrangement, and I know exactly why when I come face-to-face with my past.

 

Growing up, Chris was my constant, the main piece to my puzzle. With him, I felt safe, adored, and loved. He was my best friend, and I let him go.

 

Now he's back, with more than just a business deal in mind. He expects me to pick up where we left off, but I don't know if I can because that would lead to me telling him that I'm in love with my best friend.

 

Christoph

 

I've learned a lot over the years, the most important being, there is no substitute great enough for me to forget Logan.

 

Best friends - Always, even when we were apart. Lovers - Never, but when I was with her, I felt complete. She was my apple, ripe, shiny, forbidden, but I wanted her.

 

That was four years ago, and the only thing that's changed is time and distance. The only thing standing between us is her.

 

Will Logan be able to handle the demands of being a high-powered architect while evading her feelings for Chris? Or will she crumble under the pressure and fall completely for her best friend?

 

**Standalone**

**Mature Content**

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angela K Parker
• Release date: Jun 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798224829576

Angela K Parker

Angela K. Parker is a country girl with a big heart. She's a South Carolina native with a passion for writing, reading, music, & math. When she’s not engaged in any of the above, she’s spending time with her family or catching up on the latest movies. She’s always had a very active imagination. Now she’s putting it to good use.Looking for more ways to connect? Join her newsletter here.Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cI3h6H

Book preview

Chapter 1

Logan

Good morning, Logan.

I lift my head from the back of my chair, breaking my stare-down with the ceiling to look at Emily.  It’s been one of those mornings, or months rather, where everything seems to go wrong.

Emily is my father’s assistant, and far too cheery at eight-thirty in the morning.  She’s somewhere between my and my father’s age, a classy lady who’s been here for more years than I care to count.

Good morning, Emily.

She walks over to my desk, placing a folder in front of me.  Your father wants to see you in his office in ten minutes.

Of course, he does, I say sarcastically.

Working for my father has not been easy.  Most would think the opposite, but my father is not big on handouts.  He made it clear to me that I would earn every cent that I made at a very young age.  I was raised to be amongst the best-of-the-best.  My entire life has been one huge competition.  Losing is at the bottom of my vocabulary.  It rarely happens, but if it does, I’m wired not to break, to push harder, and my father is always there to give me the extra boost required to get me back on track.

Any idea what it’s about? I ask Emily.

Not sure.  He handed me that folder and asked me to bring it to you right away.  I assume it has something to do with it.  Emily shrugs, wrinkling her nose.

Her lack of knowledge is intriguing.  She usually has an answer to all of my questions.  I glance down at the black folder.  The only clue printed on top is a logo of some sort.  Whatever it is, it must be urgent if dad hasn’t discussed it with Emily yet.

Let me get some coffee into my system, and I’ll be right over, I confirm.

I’ll let him know, Emily concurs, pausing.  Oh, and just so you know, Barry was also invited, she adds before walking out of my office.

Uhh!  I grumble quietly.  Barry is my coworker, and he’s been giving me googly eyes since he started working here.  His inclusion in this meeting could only mean one thing.

Competition.  Another one of my father’s ploys to push me.

My dad has said many things that stuck with me over the years.  Even now, I can hear his voice in my head.

You’ve got this champ.  There’s nothing wrong with a little friendly competition.

Dad always wanted a son, but he got me instead.  Needless to say, I’ve had my share of bumps and bruises, and I’m no stranger to dirt and grime.  Because of him, I’ve dabbled in so many things growing up, sports, music, art, crafts, all leading me here to structural design.  I’ve had more guy friends than girls because I had more in common with the boys.  I’ve been called every name in the book, from a girl scout to a whore, and I absorbed every word, letting them sink into my skin, hardening me.

I pour myself a cup of coffee and head to dad’s office.  Barry is already seated across from him.  They turn and look my way when I enter, both admiring me for different reasons.

Good, you’re here, Dad announces, sliding away from his desk to stand.

I sit, grinning inwardly at his stance, his need to feel superior.  I’m used to male egos, and my dad has a pretty big one.

I smirk, quoting the phrase in my head, anything you can do, I can do bleeding.  Dad taught me well.  You see, I’m just as smart, proud, and capable as any of my peers, maybe even more.  I just don’t feel the need to be boastful because it shows in everything that I do.  I’m intimidating, by right, and not by force.

Did you have time to browse through the folder?  Dad glances at Barry and me.  Neither one of us speaks, knowing that we weren’t given enough time.

No worries, Dad continues.  There’s not much information there.  Basically, it’s a new startup for an art dealer, and I’ve won the bid for the project.

I flip the folder open on my lap, trying to gain some insight.  Dad’s right.  There’s barely any information.

Dad circles around us to stand on the opposite side of his desk, his fingers teasing his beard.

The two of you are meeting with the owner this afternoon to iron out the details.  I advise you to listen closely to what is said and put forth your best effort.  Both of you will be asked to present a tentative design, presumably by the end of the week.  The owner will decide on the best one and ultimately determine who will be the name behind the project.

I stare at dad, dumbfounded that he would actively pursue something like this blindly. It’s out of character for him.

What do you know about the owner? I ask.

Barry straightens in his chair, waiting for dad’s reprimand, but he doesn’t understand the nature of our relationship.  Dad has never punished me for asking questions.  If anything, he’d punish me for being afraid to ask.  How else are you going to know if you don’t ask, he would say.

Dad smirks proudly.  What I know is they only sent invites to the most prominent companies, including ours, Dad replies, tapping his finger against his chin.  And the competition started pretty high.  It’s a risk, but one I’m willing to take.  If we pull this off, the return on investment will be huge.

Sir, if I might ask, Barry speaks up, his eyes timidly focused on dad.  Why did you choose me for this project?

I let out a small chuckle next to him.  If there’s any word dad dislikes just as much as can’t, it’s the word why used in reference with me.

Should I have chosen differently? Dad rebuts, tweaking his eyebrow.

Barry nervously twirls his pen between his fingers.  No, Sir, he answers, forming his mouth to dig himself into a deeper hole.

I chime in before he does.  You’ve always been a worthy opponent, Barry.  It’s obvious he’s chosen the best, I boast.  You should be honored.

It's the truth.  Barry is smart, his designs are great, and he’s a bit of a tech geek as well.

Barry gives me a hesitant look, silently asking me what I’m up to.

I offer him a kind smile, willing him to stay quiet. I understand his reserve.  Everyone working here thinks that I’m off-limits.  Once I set my eyes on a project, they back off.  I’ve heard the whispers about me.

What’s the point?  You’ll never get it.  She’s the boss’ daughter.

It’s like grade school all over again, except they’re adults who should know better.  This project is one that I didn’t ask for.  I was pulled into it. As far as I’m concerned, it’s fair game.

When it comes to competing, dad couldn’t have chosen better.  I admire Barry’s work, along with many others here.  I would even go so far as to say we’re on an equal playing field, but we have never been pitted against each other until now.

It’s settled then.  I’m counting on you to nail this, Dad states to both of us.  Unless there’s something else, you may go.

Thank you, sir, Barry hails with a nod before we leave.

I called Barry aside once outside dad’s office.  This is an awkward situation that I don’t want to get worse.  He has a thing for me.  He hasn’t said as much, but I know the signs, and according to popular speculation,