Page 6 of The Money Shot

Liam’s cheeks went red, and I could practically feel Bradley’s smirk from across the elevator.

Then she turned to me, her gaze sharp as she scanned my face. “And you, handsome? What’s your story?”

“Project manager,” I said quickly, shifting under her gaze. “Just started, actually.”

She gave me a look that was somewhere between pity and amusement. “Oh, honey, bless your heart. That sounds boring as hell. Well, at least you’re cute.”

Liam shot me a look, his eyebrows raised, and I grinned back at him. Vanessa was… a lot. But somehow, I already knew she was going to make life around here pretty damn interesting.

The elevator doors slid open on the tenth floor, and Vanessa strutted out, her heels clicking against the polished tile floorswith each step. She led us down a pristine hallway, lined with elegant sconces and fresh paint that looked like it was still drying. The air even smelled expensive up here, with hints of fresh flowers, and maybe… was that lavender?

“Alright, boys, you’re in for a treat,” Vanessa said, throwing a mischievous smile over her shoulder. “Corner unit, which means you get all the perks. Including a balcony. You’ll be able to watch the sunrise over the city with a cup of coffee… or whatever else you like to start your day.” She winked, her cherry-red hair catching the hallway lights as she turned back to the door.

We followed her like moths to a flame, our eyes locked on the brass 10B plaque on the door she was unlocking. She threw it open with a flourish, stepping inside and swinging her arms wide. “Welcome to your new home, boys!” Her voice echoed through the empty apartment, bouncing off sleek hardwood floors and high, pristine ceilings.

We stepped in, and my mouth dropped open. The place was massive, with an open floor plan that let you see straight from the entryway to the floor-to-ceiling windows at the far end of the living room. The view was insane—Manhattan skyline stretching out like a postcard in the late summer sun.

Vanessa walked ahead of us, her heels tapping against the hardwood as she started the grand tour. “So, we’ve got three bedrooms, all with a view, two full bathrooms with marble counters, and a kitchen that’s going to make you boys feel like five-star chefs. Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, wine fridge—you name it, it’s got it.”

Liam let out a low whistle, shaking his head in disbelief. “This place looks like something out of a movie.”

“Good eye, sweetie,” Vanessa said, patting his arm as she sauntered past him. “We get a lot of high-profile folks in here. Models, actors, the occasional social media influencer. Everyone loves the vibes.”

I trailed behind, my eyes darting from the stunning views to the recessed lighting that made the whole place glow. The kitchen caught my attention right away, gleaming under a row of pendant lights. There was an island big enough to host a dinner party and a gas range that looked like it had never been touched.

“Jack, honey, don’t tell me you’re the cook of the bunch,” Vanessa teased, following my gaze. She leaned in close, her perfume filling the surrounding air. “I could just see you whipping up something delicious in here. Maybe you’ll invite me over sometime?”

My face burned, and I stammered something unintelligible, which only made her laugh as she brushed past me to show off the rest of the apartment.

We moved to the living room, where Bradley was practically glued to the windows, his eyes wide as he took in the view. “Look at this, guys,” he said, as if we hadn’t noticed. “We’d have the best view of the entire city right here.”

“You boys deserve the best,” Vanessa said, sidling up to Bradley with a sly smile. “Imagine having a glass of wine out here in the evening, city lights twinkling, maybe a few friends over…” She turned to the window, her hands on her hips, like she was imagining herself in the scene. “A view like this changes everything.”

Finally, she took us down the hallway to the bedrooms. Each one was spacious, with enormous windows that let in all the natural light you could want. The master even had its own bathroom with a rainfall shower and a double sink. Liam looked like he was mentally moving in already, his fingers brushing over the marble counter as if he couldn’t quite believe it was real.

We reconvened in the living room, where Vanessa stood, hands on her hips, looking at us with that bright, expectant smile. “So, boys,” she said, tilting her head. “What do you think?Because I think you’d be perfect neighbors. You look like the type that knows how to keep things… lively.”

We all eyed each other, like we couldn’t believe this was actually happening. This place was perfect. More than perfect. And somehow, it was actually affordable. Liam’s eyes were practically sparkling, Bradley was nodding so hard I thought his head might fall off, and as for me? I could already see myself cooking in that kitchen, watching the city lights blink on at night.

“Yeah,” I said, the word coming out before I could even think. “We want it. Absolutely.”

Bradley and Liam echoed my response, and Vanessa’s smile grew even wider. She clapped her hands together, a victorious gleam in her eye.

“Fabulous!” she crowed. “I’ll have the paperwork sent over this afternoon, and you boys will be moved in before you know it. Trust me, you’re going to love it here.”

Chapter Four

Liam

Moving day was finally here, and I’d somehow talked my parents into helping me lug all my stuff from home. They were already skeptical about me leaving Boston in the first place—hell, they’d probably put up a bigger fight if they hadn’t been so convinced I’d come running back to the family pub in a few months. That, or they just didn’t think I’d last long in New York. Either way, their disapproval was pretty much a given at this point.

As I unlocked the door to the new apartment and swung it open, the silence that fell over them was almost worth the entire headache of the move. My dad stopped in his tracks, his mouth slightly open as he took in the gleaming hardwood floors, the massive windows, and the panoramic city view. My mom’s lips pressed together in a straight line, but I could tell she was impressed, too, her eyes darting around the place like she was trying to spot the first thing to criticize.

“Well,” she said finally, her voice a little less sharp than usual. “You really are making a go of it here, aren’t you, Liam?”

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. “It’s not bad, right? Close to the office, decent commute…”

My dad just shook his head in wonder, letting out a low whistle. “Your old man wouldn’t mind living in a place like this,” he said, slapping me on the back. “You must be doin’ alright if you can afford a place like this in New York.”

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