u

apartment like a

erence, he dismissed everyone, and

hook. My jacket gets flung onto the floor. My bag drops n

nd, legs swinging over the armrest like she's auditi

gum like it's my soul. "Didn't expect t

ing off my heels, one, then the othe

ething happen at the Apex P

t to know what happened to me hours ago? I just found out that the guy I slept with two nights

over. Dead, pin-drop

up straighter, then bl

s freaking Grande. The new CEO of Apex Corporation. Also

penser. "Wait, wait, wait. You're saying the g

rre

ross the room, mouth parted, eyes

h I wa

stles. "W

uito with lip filler, "You do real

. "Excu

digits, maybe a drink. You didn't have to go all the w

you seriously bla

ing, maybe next time don't throw your

It wasn't exactly writ

act

ists. "Your opinion?

her brows. "O

hest tightens, and suddenly the room feels too

n't sai

s time. "Are you seriously

ke she's been watching a t

nking,"

ut w

he replies calmly. "Inste

For a second, I fo

s it up and disappears into h

and Leila and a sile

es. "Kayla's right. I'm to blame, God,

," she says

, I let him ruin me. And now he looks

reaches over and grabs my hand

ight, I'm on

u hear your own thoughts, which is dangero

g. Leila joins me, hoodie pulled tight, blanket around her legs

sks, "How

a half," I r

"How do you

ind a cloud. I gave

tly. Then, "Do y

r like she grew a secon

no

I've been clawing my way toward this internship for two years. I've eaten beans out o

m light. "Even if he keeps

ll treat him like he doesn't ma

leans back and counts stars beside me. And for a momen

*

ot han

rts with hope and en

my "please don't fire me, because I've seen you

d scowls. "This isn

st, almond mil

" he says flatly. "Try again

retort clawing

nt roast, extra shot. I double check. Triple

nd he doesn

ll be making my own coffee from now on,

throw i

he machine is right there. Across from

ld say

oworker for help cracking the code. It takes two more tries,

ly get it right, he

ing.

"But I

," he says, al

like an idiot

-

ing chandeliers, and waiters who look like they charge by th

stess, "Private

utside like I

ng in the gold fixtures and

ALEX

tu

o-loud jokes and energy that could crack a ceiling. He's wea

" I laugh, already

runs, and I begin to feel

terms. Then we drift into stories about bad tequila and worse hango

to these days?" I ask,

ow, stu

sid

ree

sharp as glass. It's Mr. Grande, a

I ask,

m and I know one thing:

ard the priva

I should stay out

flick to Tyler for a second. Just a second.

his face has shifte

my boss," and follow

can't figure out what the