THREE YEARS TO LOVE

, as though the city itself was as exhausted as

ding to her apartment. Her heels-discount knockoffs from a thrift store in Brooklyn-clicked with a tired rhythm ag

d under her breath, gripping her

onist had smiled. The coffee in the waiting room had been free. Arabella even wore her one

sat down for the inte

id with a polite smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "However,

ven now. Like a cruel joke the universe played jus

of her ripped jeans. She forced it into the lock, and the door creaked ope

hen-m

st any

y voice floated through the apart

n the doorway, li

ome," she sa

the air like a loving hug and an ominous warning all at once. A few seconds later, a head popped out fro

on Gr

e this tiny New York ap

said, letting her bag slump to

wide with excitement. "Wait-don't co

reakfast as in 'I made it' or break

to the faded couch. "Definitely the second one. I tr

ing a faded crop top beneath. "I need su

asked, glancing at he

. Apparently, qualifications mean jack unless you've got a 'guardian recommenda

d. "Oof. That

k. "As if I'd ever go crawling to my foster p

already did," Allison

snorted.

Okay, I'm going back to the battlefield. Do y

ed her eyes.

lison said, disappearin

a stew of exhaustion and frustration, so flipping through news channels seemed oddly fitti

uit. Jet-black hair. Sunglasses even though the event was indoors.

ted, "Mr. Xavier Knight, how do you maintain g

even loo

r, he answered, "I don't d

ed in-brisk, robotic, and terrifying. The rep

blinked

eked back

I've ever seen. And I hav

aughed. "

ses. I just watched him ice a reporter with one sentence.

ed, "Shut up!

ned slowly.

ing. His penthouse, too. Well, technically. We're not allowed

nis

don't like seeing staff. It r

"Of course. God forbid t

on the coffee table. An unk

t," Allis

icked it u

replied, "Am I speaki

s..

a cleaner at our headquarters and Mr. Knight's private residence. The position in

ht. "I didn't apply for

did. Miss Allison Gre

outh dropped

ys to accept. Good

ic

e like it had just told her

g her head in again. "You lo

n," Arabella sa

nager? The ma

offered

d. "Oh my God

bmitted

t gonna do

rder you with yo

er, Allison squealing as Ar

abella whispered, "What the he