Page 4 of Protected By My Best Friend's Brother

From: Lucas Walker

Subject: Meeting Request - Monday 9 AM

“He wants to meet Monday morning,” I whisper, scanning the email twice to make sure I’m not hallucinating. “About... wait, Project Phoenix? But that’s just a theoretical model I’ve been working on. A complete restructuring of our tech division to focus on renewable energy integration. I never even submitted it officially.”

Sophie leans forward so quickly that she nearly knocks over our fresh drinks. “The project you’ve been obsessing over for months? The one you said could revolutionize how we approach sustainable technology?”

“It’s not ready!” My voice rises enough that the couple at the next table glances over. I lower it to an urgent whisper. “The data is in today’s reports but needs to be reorganized and refined. I have to make it board-presentation ready and—” I stop, realization dawning. “The graphs from this morning. They weren’t just quarterly reports. They showed the initial framework for Project Phoenix. But how did he even know about it?”

“Because Dad mentioned it in his last board meeting.” Sophie’s expression turns serious. “Right before he announced Lucas would be taking over. He said the future of Walker Enterprises would depend on embracing innovation, not clinging to old ways.”

I stare at my phone, re-reading the email. The last line jumps out:“Bring your complete Project Phoenix analysis. It’s time to stop playing defense.”

My stomach twists with a mix of anxiety and excitement as the full implication hits me. This isn’t just about a presentation or impressing my new CEO. James Walker entrusted me with the future vision of the company, and now his son is asking me to help bring it to life.

“I need to go home.” I stand up, only slightly wobbly from the wine. “I have an entire weekend to turn two years of research into a presentation that could revolutionize the company. I need to reorganize the data, refine the projections—”

“We need to go shopping first,” Sophie interrupts, grabbing her purse. “Most of your nice work clothes have coffee stains. And maybe practice saying complete sentences in front of my brother without blushing.”

“That was—it wasn’t—we never actually…” I stop because really, what’s the point? She knows me too well. “Fine. But we are not buying anything I can’t breathe in. I need to focus on saving the company, not worrying about fashion tape malfunctions.”

As we head for the door, my mind races with possibilities. Project Phoenix. A complete reorganization focused on sustainable technology. The kind of innovation that couldsecure Walker Enterprises’ future—if we can survive the board’s resistance.

On Monday morning, I have to convince Lucas Walker that I’m not just his sister’s best friend or the clumsy analyst who scattered papers at his feet. I’m the strategist who can help him save his father’s company.

Even if I still can’t walk past his office without remembering that almost-kiss on the balcony.

“No beverage containers in Monday’s meeting,” Sophie declares as we slide into a taxi. “Just to be safe.”

“That was one time!”

“Three times in the last year, if I remember correctly.” She counts on her fingers. “The projector incident, the water cooler disaster during the Johnson presentation, and let’s not forget the smoothie explosion in the breakroom.”

I sink deeper into the taxi seat, already mentally reorganizing my presentation. This could be my chance to prove my worth beyond clumsy moments and coffee stains. James Walker saw something in me worth believing in. Now I need his son to see it, too.

And if I happen to spend the weekend wearing a certain faded blue baseball jersey while I work... Well, everyone needs a good luck charm when they’re trying to save a billion-dollar company.

Even if that charm smells suspiciously like their new boss.

Chapter Three

Lucas

At barely 8 AM on Monday, I’m already staring at the Johnson account projections when Harrison Garrett clears his throat from my office doorway. These numbers have kept me up all weekend: our oldest client is about to jump ship to our biggest competitor, taking their $50 million annual contract with them. Not exactly the first week’s victory I was hoping for as CEO.

“Mr. Walker.” Garrett’s tone suggests he’d rather be addressing anyone else. His perfectly pressed suit and severe expression remind me of every teacher who ever sent me to the principal’s office. “I trust you’ve reviewed the figures?”

I resist the urge to loosen my tie. For years, the Johnson family has trusted Walker Enterprises with their energy infrastructureneeds. Losing them now wouldn’t just hurt our bottom line—it would signal to the entire renewable energy sector that we’re losing our edge.

“I have. The situation is concerning.”

“Concerning?” He arches one steel-gray eyebrow. “They’re threatening to take their business to Brighton Analytics. That’s rather more than concerning, wouldn’t you say? Especially given their recent partnership with SolarTech Industries.”

The headache forming at my temples intensifies. Brighton Analytics—our biggest competitor and, not coincidentally, the company that tried to recruit me last year with an obscene salary and corner office overlooking Central Park. The same Brighton Analytics that just merged with SolarTech, gaining exclusive access to cutting-edge solar panel technology that could revolutionize the industry.

The memory of their offer surfaces vividly. I sat in their sleek conference room as Brighton’s CEO laid out his terms: autonomy, resources, and a team handpicked from the industry’s best. “We’re building the future,” he had said, “not clinging to outdated family legacies.”

I was tempted—for about thirty seconds before I realized he was describing everything my father had fought against: profit over people, technology without purpose, innovation without heart.

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