Page 83 of My Ruthless Neighbor

“I wanted to talk to you about something.” She begins.

At my expression, she laughs. “It’s not about Raleigh. I already told you.”

“Then tell me what it is! You said you will tell me after we finish eating. We did. Now please tell me. I hate suspense.”

She shakes her head. “Okay, okay. Sit down first.”

My panic doesn’t lessen when she leads me to the couch. Goldie abandons his ball and jumps in my lap.

“Well…” I prompt, cradling Goldie to my chest.

“I…” She hesitates. And my pulse quickens.

“Tell me already!”

“I want you to come work with us.” She blurts.

Exhaling in relief, I lean back on the couch. “Oh, okay… I thought…” I sit back up. “Wait what?”

“I want to hire you, Summer.”

“Is this a prank?”

“I’m dead serious.”

“I’m not qualified to work at KIM Advertising.”

“Oh, but you are.”

“I am?” I ask, puzzled.

“Yep. I am looking for a fresh face for our new ad campaign for a clothing line. And you, my dear, fit the bill.”

Getting on my feet, I shake my head vehemently. “No way. Have you seen me?”

She crosses her arms. “Yes. You are taller than the average height. You’ve got the angular face of a model. Toned figure. Gorgeous hair. And the cherry on top is the unique set of your eyes.”

I am speechless. Truly speechless.

Can this be the opportunity I was waiting for? This is the chance life has presented to me to do something new.

The big question is, can I do it? Do I have the courage to try something I have never done? What if I fail? I have no experience in modeling after all.

But now that I’ve got this chance, I am going to take it. Even if I feel awkward and uncomfortable doing it, I am going to give it a try.

But doubt creeps in. I look at her. “Was this Raleigh’s idea?”

The corner of her mouth kicks up. “He is smart. But I am smarter. He has no idea I am here.”

“You are not doing this to help me right?” They both know the whole story behind my moving into River’s apartment. To say Raleigh was furious would be an understatement.

He is still upset that I went to a stranger for help rather than calling him.

“This is strictly professional, Summer. No one can persuade me to do anything when it comes to my work. Not even Archer. I aim for the best when it comes to my projects. And you are the best.”

Archer. How can I forget he is Hannah’s boss? I swore to stay away from him. Accepting Hannah’s offer would defeat the purpose of staying away as I’ll be working in the same space as him.

“I can’t do this.”

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