Page 20 of My Totally Unfair Deal

“Fair enough.” I extend a hand. “Technically, I accept your terms as well.”

She doesn’t take my hand.

Instead, she turns on her heels and takes off across the yard. The wind kicks up just as she reaches the edge—ruffling her shorts, flashing the bare curve of her ass.

God, help me.

NINE

ELIZA

Martha Stewart: Entertaining. Manners of the Lady. Royal Women and Things They Do (& Don’t). The Art of Being a Lady.

There’s a stack of hardback books and a first-class ticket from Nashville to New York sitting on the edge of my bed when I wake up in the morning.

Even worse, there’s a handwritten note from Mr. Manhattan next to the ticket.

Lesson #1: Wear a cocktail dress and heels for our flight.

My chest tightens, and I have an immediate change of heart.

I don’t own a pair of heels, and I have no idea what a “cocktail” dress is. All my dresses are just… dresses.

Needing to back out of this before it can begin, I rush to Jackson’s office. As I approach, I overhear him on the phone and can’t help but eavesdrop again.

“I can personally guarantee that when you meet with our representative at this year’s conference, she’ll impress youin every single way,” he says. “Looking forward to your consideration.”

He hangs up and looks at me.

“Hey there.” He smiles. “Something wrong?”

“Yeah, it’s…” I stop myself mid-sentence.

This isn’t about you, Eliza.

It’s about what your mom would say about helping your brother.

“Eliza?” He furrows his brow. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I, uh… I was hoping you’d carry all my stuff downstairs when I’m finished packing.”

“You really think you need toaskme to do that?”

“I’ll see you later.” I rush back to my suite and force myself to pack.

It’s just eight weeks, Eliza. Just eight weeks…

TEN

ELIZA

An eternity later

I’ve never been more grateful to be left out of a conversation.

Harrison and my brother haven’t stopped laughing since we started our drive to Nashville’s airport. They’ve been trading stories, inside jokes, old college memories—some of which involve girls, bar fights, and things I’d rather not know about.

Strangely, Jackson has never laughed this hard with me.

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