Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 43239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43239 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 216(@200wpm)___ 173(@250wpm)___ 144(@300wpm)
I don’t answer. Can’t.
It hurts in a way I didn’t expect—to hear the two people closest to me hint that maybe I’m the problem.
“You don’t suck.” Janey seems to read my mind. “Maybe don’t sleep on it, then. Read through some of your mom’s old journals tonight. Ask yourself—what would she do, if she were in your place?”
“That’s even worse.” My voice cracks. “But fine. I’ll sleep on it.”
“Thank you.”
EIGHT
HARRISON
“Harrison, this is completely fucking unacceptable.”
My father’s voice blares through my voicemail speaker as I relax in the hot tub.
“You are a part of this family, and it’s about time you show it. We expect to see you at every new hotel we open this summer.”
Beep. Delete.
I cue up the next message and hit play.
“Harrison. Liam. Jones.” My mother’s voice is thick with exasperation. “You better find a way to call me back because I refuse to believe your doorman’s bullshit about you being overseas and ill with monkeypox!”
Beep.
I delete her message and make a mental note to give Charles a raise for keeping her away.
I’d do anything to avoid being associated with my terrible excuse for a family, and I’m one year away from permanently changing my last name.
Everyone in Manhattan calls us the modern-day Vanderbilts—but they have no idea that we’re deep into the crumbling-chapter arc, the part of the saga where the empire splinters.
I don’t even care.
Just as I’m setting my phone aside, I hear the crunch of footsteps on gravel. Heavy ones.
Please don’t let it be a bear. Please don’t let it be—
It’s not a bear.
It’s Eliza.
Dressed in a fitted pink tank top and tiny jean shorts, she stands with her arms crossed, glaring at me like she’s ready to start a war—and looking sexy as hell without even trying.
“Well?” she finally speaks. “Aren’t you going to say hello? Isn’t that part of these so-called ‘manners’ you’re about to teach me?”
“I’d like to teach you a lot of things…”
“What did you just say?”
“I said that technically, you’re ambushing me.” I flash a slow smile. “You should be the one saying hello first.”
“I’ll take my first ‘L’ on that one then.”
“That’s fine,” I say, deciding to match her rudeness. “I have a do-not-disturb hanger on my door. Why are you here?”
“I’ve decided to take your unwanted and unneeded lessons on behalf of my brother—but only if you agree to my terms and conditions.”
I arch a brow.
“One.” She doesn’t let me interrupt. “You will stay on your side of the resort and not bother me while I’m working.
Two, I don’t want to talk to you about anything outside of what’s absolutely required.”
“Since you can barely hold a conversation, that’s a bonus for me…”
“Three. You will stay in your lane of vapid, cookie-cutter beauty charm and won’t challenge me on my presentation skills.”
“If you had presentation skills, I wouldn’t be here.”
“And lastly, you’ll stop with the snarky comments and know that I will sic my brother on you if you even lay a finger on me.”
I blink.
“There.” She crosses her arms again. “I’ve spoken my piece. This is the part where you agree, so I can walk away.”
Yeah, I don’t think so.
I grab the ledge of the hot tub and climb onto the deck, water trailing down my chest. Her eyes flicker—and her cheeks flush a delicious shade of pink as I grab a towel.
I walk over to where I left my laptop and pick up the contract I drafted hours ago. Then I hold it out for her.
“These are the only terms and conditions we’ll need to abide by while you’re under my rule.”
“Rule?”
“Roof.” I smile. “Freudian slip. But accurate.”
“I’m sure.” She snatches it from me. “This Totally Fair Deal doesn’t seem to have any stipulations for you.”
“It’s an early draft, but it’s pretty close to final.” I hand her a pen. “You can go ahead and sign it now, though.”
“I need time to read it.”
“Then have a seat and do so.”
“That’ll take me a while… It’s very long.”
“I appreciate that compliment.” I adjust my towel, and she blushes again. “In that case, take all the time you need. But let’s get a few things straight.”
“One,” I say, holding her gaze. “You will accept that you’re the one who needs help and actually listen to everything I have to say.”
“I literally just—”
“Don’t interrupt me.” I step toward her.
She backs up. I follow.
Step. Step. Step—until her back hits the villa’s siding.
“Two—” I inhale, resisting the urge to lean closer. Her sweet scent has been messing with my thoughts since the airport ride. “As of tonight, you’ll stop cursing at me or anyone else. It’s not going to get you where you want to be.”
“Three— I’ll stay in my lane of turning you into the kind of woman every business deal is dying to be made with. And you’ll be grateful as fuck for it.”