Page 13 of Aim Assist

I'm doing this for myself. Because I deserve nice things. I deserve to feel sexy and confident and desirable, regardless of whether anyone actually sees it.

Yep.

That's what it is.

Definitely not because there's an inner slut that's tempted by Sam's words.

With that settled, I zip up my suitcase, double check I have all the essentials, and take one last look around my apartment. Lucky is snoozing in her carrier, blissfully unaware of the upcoming adventure.

"Shit." I smack my forehead. Almost forgot the damn dog food. Lucky would be pretty pissed if I showed up at a fancy hotel without her gourmet kibble.

I grab the bag from the pantry and stuff it into my already bulging suitcase. Then pause and sniff.

Ugh, no way. I am not having my sexy little black dress reeking of processed meat byproduct.

Nope.

The kibble's yanked out without ceremony, saving all my clothing from a fate worse than wrinkles. Guess I'm doing this two suitcase style. Fancy clothes in one, doggy accessories in the other.

Lugging both to the front door, I give my apartment one final once-over. Looks like I'm as ready as I'll ever be for this surreal adventure. Flying out to a swanky hotel to play video games for a living. What even is my life right now?

But I don't leave until tomorrow, so until then…

Plopping down in my gaming chair, I fire up Shadow Ops out of habit. I won't be playing it for a week, so I may as well get my time in now.

My eyes flick to the corner of the screen. Huh. TrickShot999 is online. Before I can overthink it, I click his name and invite him to party.

He joins immediately, and I slip on my headset with a grin.

"Hey. Wasn't sure if you'd be on."

The reply is instant. "You, either. We were up pretty late last night. I'm actually going to be out of town for a while, so it's my last chance to play for a week or so."

I laugh. "Not to sound like I'm one-upping, but I have the same problem. I have a lot of work to do this next week, so I won't be playing."

"Zombies or Supremacy?" He's all business. I like that.

"Wow, you must be a hit with the ladies. You ask the stupidest questions. Zombies, obviously."

I can hear the smirk in his voice. "For your information, I'm a regular Casanova. Women faint in my presence."

"Probably from the smell."

He barks out a laugh and I can't help but join in. It's so easy when talking to him. Natural. Like we've known each other for years instead of days.

Fuck. Am I getting an internet crush?

I am.

I should stop.

But as we load into the game, I know I'm not going to.

Amy

The company chose a picturesque location for the shoot, so I fly into the small airport in Monterey, California after a 6-hour layover in Los Angeles.

It's gorgeous.

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