na T

rs la

unning around all day-now he also expects me to organize his parties

a damn

the valet parking? I don't want unnecessary

o him. I take a deep breath and put on m

gned to each section of the parking area, and they have clear i

ce to myself-he wouldn't take it well if he knew

p the whiskey decanter from his bar. He pours himself a wide glass with more amber liquid than a

d running sm

r sip, then looks me up and

uses for you to have a decent wardrobe, and yet you always we

bite my tongue before replying. He knows perfectly well this is how

y's requirements. Tonight, I'll be inside handling logistics-it won't be necessar

ee him listing all the reasons I should cha

w that. I don't n

se glasses?" he insists, like

t an assistant, sir." I hide th

it. Something about his friend hating loose clothing and thick-framed glasses. And since I have no intention of ending u

I can confirm it. He takes another drink and straig

u call

e," I confirm, swallowing the bitterne

o? It's part

ything is perfect. Once about fifty guests have

lly can't-but I have to endure it as long as I have this job. It took me too much to

ke the back of my hand. It's not like I've been here long-Milo only moved to Boston a week ago-b

busy enough not to dwell on the fact that I'm back in the city that w

with a list of last-minute checks and instructions. Everything is as it s

ance, and none in the parking area either. I made sure everything was covered so I could focus on the caterin

er. Standing beside her, a flicker of insecurity tries to settle in-but I remind myself that

a. Welcome. Would you

her one of the many women passing through Milo's life. I can't even say I like her-that would be a lie. Every single one I

he asks in a shri

aiting for you so

t a couple of guests in who

ning around

nly with Mr. Pr

having close-they're very influential and among the richest in the city. The

ouldn't care less what she

to the upper floors, and I press

detail, Marissa." I gesture for her to ste

rustration from not being able to order me around. She walks past me, heels clicking

een at the top of that list.

ed out of nowhere. I knew what I was exposing myself to when I came back to this city, but I told myself Boston was too big, and Milo too arrog

e Milo, makes a knot form in my throat. But I tell myself I'm o

to the kitchen. I'm breaking out in a cold

I decide to forget the words Marissa threw at me-esp

benefits from

do a quick Google search hits me, but I stop myself. I can't go there. I've

rom the kitchen. An hour later, I'm sweatin

to the kitchen asking fo

I remind myself I'm doing this

t out, and when I reach the kitchen entrance, the last p

ail

s who I am, surprise flashes across her face. She opens her mouth, trying to say something, but nothing

begins to for

ontrol both my mouth and my fists

hiding, like a sewer rat?" she mocks, crossin

, dear. I'm not one of them," I reply, with

an eyebrow,

rd you are, empty-handed like you deserved, I didn't think you'd dare s

everything that happened-and the way Shane d

l. Are you the one they sent to the kitchen?

she makes a face-but she keeps pushing. Sh

you are now?" She looks at me with disgust. "You don't even look the part. You look so awful it's pathetic.

see that insecurity in her, the one she always had whenever I was around. And I use it, because yes, t

rn. Show up in front of Shane? Why would I want that? Yo

engaged-like we should've been

hurts to hear it out loud

ex-husband is about to marry the woman he ch