Page 88 of My Ruthless Neighbor

“But I’m scared I might suck.”

“You silly, silly girl,” He hugs me once more. “The Summer I know isn’t a scaredy cat. She is a fighter.” He leans back. “Isn’t she?”

I slowly nod.

“There’s no pressure, you hear me? The moment it all gets too much, you tell me. I’ll drop you home. No questions asked.” He brushes my strands away before saying, “But you won’t know until you give it a try. There’s a chance you might end up liking it.”

“You’re right.” I give him a watery smile. Suddenly feeling emotional. “Thank you.” Maybe I was on edge since I entered KIM Advertising. Maybe I am still rethinking my humiliation. There can be many reasons, but Raleigh’s presence opens the damn floodgates.

I missed this idiot friend of mine.

“Summer!” A voice calls out my name. Hannah moves aside and I see Brielle running to me with Mia in tow. I’ve already met them in Hawaii and hung out with them at Raleigh’s place. It’s so good to see more familiar faces. It eases the tension in me.

I chuckle when they hug me. My cheeks hurt from smiling as they gush about my outfit.

“I styled it,” I say proudly.

“It’s so trendy! I need tips! Stat.” Brielle says with a grin.

“Sure thing.”

“Give me your number!”

Raleigh and Hannah watch us with amusement as we exchange numbers.

“Cool. Now come on let’s get you ready for the photoshoot!” Brielle grasps my hand and starts leading me away.

Mia falls into step beside us. “In the meantime, here’s the moodboard I made for you. These are the poses and styles we are going to capture you in.”

In a matter of seconds, I am seated in a chair in front of a mirror with light bulbs and stylists and professional makeup artists surrounding me.

Chapter Eighteen

Aknock on my office door makes me look up from the file I was reading.

“May I come in, sir?” Raleigh grins as he stands in the doorway.

“No, you may not.” I deadpan.

“Ha-ha.” He strolls inside and throws his weight on the guest chair.

“Why are you still here?” I ask. It’s 9 p.m.

“I can ask you the same.” He frowns. “You should go home before ten sometimes, you know. For a change.”

“Don’t dodge my question.”

“I’m just worried for you man. All you do is work.”

“I am a workaholic.”

“You state that as if it’s a good thing.”

“Because it is.”

He throws his hands up in surrender. “Anyway, I am here to give you this.”

I glance at the flash drive in his hand.

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