shut eyes. Her body ached pleasantly, but as consciousness clawed its w

e. No note, no lingering scent of cologne. Just the

c fl

ndoned on the floor, was buzzing frantically. She snatched it

k glared at her.

d she had an interview

l of clothing like breadcrumbs back to her sin. A two-minute shower later, she was fighting wit

ck squirt of perfume to mask the lingering scent of last nigh

els, her phone buzzed a

ou're dead, I'm

mbling fingers: "Alive. R

e grabbed her portfolio a

Elena clutched her portfolio tighter, painfully aware o

ptionist with a pr

ed her shou

e will se

tall man, early forties, razor-sharp suit

"your resume is... interesting. No

e to think my work speak

ward. "Confidence.

rified smoothly. "Just b

folio with a long

h question sharper than the last, a verba

eaned back, tapp

y should we pick you over th

led. Sl

'm looking to build your brand so strong you

t, his lips twitched, al

in touch

cade once she was outside, breathing i

hone

h. Now. No

ed back: "

heir favorite café, a hidden gem with chipped mu

ses perched atop her wild curl

a sat down, "look like you committ

. "Maybe two.

, eyes gleaming. "

oring the dramatic pause, be

festyle I might probably never afford. You know, obs

ble

Versace wallpaper," E

aled. "T

oon. "Then there was

sked stranger?! God, why is

e memory. "Asked who I was. I put up the normal act of

d her chest

Elena's voice softened. "And then... the way he looked

Mia breathed. "I can swear

sed, feeling heat creep up her ne

d he loo

s. Dangerous in the way

, if you don't write romance novels a

ter, earning a few dirty

Mia asked,

r lip. "We l

nd

etween consenting adults who know they'

ing me you had a one-night stand with a masked strange

ang of abandonment resurfacing briefly. Disappointment an

ell. "No not

her head. "J

y. "You're either starring in the best meet eve

y laugh that chased away t

aid. "But either wa

"To reckless decisions and stor

reed, clinking her

ifs" for the masked stranger, Elena couldn't shake the feeli

yet if that was a p