Total pages in book: 116
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118780 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 594(@200wpm)___ 475(@250wpm)___ 396(@300wpm)
“I’m in production.”
“Do you enjoy it?”
“Most days. But my goal is to get to the other side of the camera. This seemed like a good gateway to get my foot in the door.”
Tera definitely has the looks for on-screen. Her makeover a few weeks ago makes a little more sense. “Is the promotional ladder tough?”
“You have no idea.” She waves her hand flippantly. “This industry is cutthroat. You learn to do whatever it takes to get ahead.”
“I get that. My old marketing firm had a similar environment. Luck was on my side when I got my current job,” Harley states.
“Don’t you work for your cousin?”
The snark in her implication takes me back.
“Are you excited about this week?” I change the subject abruptly.
“I guess.”
“Ooh, that’s right. This is moving week. You have to be ready to get your own space.” Harley’s voice is tense.
Tera shrugs indifferently.
The hair on my arm prickles at her lack of enthusiasm.
“Are your parents coming to help?” I try to get a read on this situation.
“Maybe, I need to give them a firm date.”
Harley’s eyebrows shoot up and she looks at me with wide eyes.
“I thought you were moving this Friday. That seems firm.”
Tera props her sunglasses on her head and stares directly at me. The sneer on her face has more than the hair on my arm prickling.
She’s up to something.
“Here’s the thing. The Ballard wasn’t my first choice. But once I saw the views from phase three, it sold me.”
“The views are amazing,” Harley agrees.
“Is that where you lived?”
“No. Those views, along with the peace and serenity, come with a big price tag too rich for my budget. But they were always rented.”
“Exactly. There is a waiting list. The community manager called and they have an apartment coming available.”
I shoot Harley a quick glance, seeing the same confusion in her features. “Tera, this all sounds great.”
“Yes, it does,” she pauses, sighing dramatically. “But the tenant won’t be out until the end of October.”
I’m thankful for my sunglasses because I’m pretty sure my eyes would give away my thoughts on this.
That’s almost two months.
“It would be great if I could stay here and save up these next few weeks and get into the place I really want. I mean, who wants to move twice? What a pain and inconvenience. The thought sends my anxiety into overdrive. I’m already alone in a new city. The best thing for my mental health is to stay put for now.”
The silence stretches for a full minute with her switching her gaze from me to Harley.
“Don’t you think that makes the most sense?”
Harley clears her throat in a way I know she’s feeling the same as me. “That’s a big assumption. Have you spoken to the guys?”
Tera has the nerve to be offended. “Why would I? This house technically belongs to Ford’s family. I should let him know.”
“Yeah, you should definitely let him know.” Harley’s disapproval is apparent.
Tera catches it, her eyes squinting. “Do you think he’ll have a problem with it?”
Harley stays quiet.
“Do you think he’ll have a problem with it?” she asks me pointedly.
“You have been here since July fourth. That’s seven weeks. He already agreed to let you stay until this apartment was available.”
“Agreed? I’m practically family. The Whitmans have been in my life forever.”
“Well, then the only way to know is to ask him. I’m not speaking for him.”
“No, but you’re sleeping with him.”
I’m so shocked by her brusqueness, I suck in a breath. There’s no missing the nastiness in her dig.
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“That came out wrong.”
“Not sure how it could have come out right,” I counter.
“I meant he has a soft spot for you.”
“Once again, not sure what that has to do with your predicament.”
“Predicament sounds like it’s an issue.”
“Won’t know until you speak to him.”
“Is it an issue with you?”
“Not at all.”
I bite my tongue to keep from telling her that her entitled attitude will backfire. She’ll find out soon enough.
She drops her sunglasses back in place, situating herself on her chair. “I’m sure it won’t be a problem, especially with their new roles. This house is enormous and there’s plenty of room. The guys won’t even know I’m still here.”
Whatever else she says is drowned out by the bells ringing in my brain. Harley’s hand brushes my leg and I know she’s thinking the same thing.
No one outside of our inner circle knows about the men working with Hayes Security. The subject is barely discussed and then only in private.
We do not include Tera in these discussions.
So, how the hell does she know?
Ford hooks my thigh over his elbow, driving at a steady pace. The pleasure builds low in my spine, winding its way up.
“God,” I gasp when he shifts. “I need to touch you.”
“Don’t let go,” he says roughly, sending a chill over my overheated skin.