Page 18 of My Totally Unfair Deal

“You don’t suck.” Janey seems to read my mind. “Maybe don’t sleep on it, then. Read through some of your mom’s old journals tonight. Ask yourself—what wouldshedo, if she were in your place?”

“That’s even worse.” My voice cracks. “But fine. I’ll sleep on it.”

“Thank you.”

EIGHT

HARRISON

“Harrison, this is completely fucking unacceptable.”

My father’s voice blares through my voicemail speaker as I relax in the hot tub.

“You are a part of this family, and it’s about time you show it. We expect to see you at every new hotel we open this summer.”

Beep. Delete.

I cue up the next message and hit play.

“Harrison. Liam. Jones.” My mother’s voice is thick with exasperation. “You better find a way to call me back because I refuse to believe your doorman’s bullshit about you being overseas and ill with monkeypox!”

Beep.

I delete her message and make a mental note to give Charles a raise for keeping her away.

I’d do anything to avoid being associated with my terrible excuse for a family, and I’m one year away from permanently changing my last name.

Everyone in Manhattan calls us the modern-day Vanderbilts—but they have no idea that we’re deep into the crumbling-chapter arc, the part of the saga where the empire splinters.

I don’t even care.

Just as I’m setting my phone aside, I hear the crunch of footsteps on gravel. Heavy ones.

Please don’t let it be a bear. Please don’t let it be?—

It’s not a bear.

It’s Eliza.

Dressed in a fitted pink tank top and tiny jean shorts, she stands with her arms crossed, glaring at me like she’s ready to start a war—and looking sexy as hell without even trying.

“Well?” she finally speaks. “Aren’t you going to say hello? Isn’t that part of these so-called ‘manners’ you’re about to teach me?”

“I’d like to teach you a lot of things…”

“What did you just say?”

“I said that technically, you’re ambushing me.” I flash a slow smile. “You should be the one saying hello first.”

“I’ll take my first ‘L’ on that one then.”

“That’s fine,” I say, deciding to match her rudeness. “I have a do-not-disturb hanger on my door. Why are you here?”

“I’ve decided to take your unwanted and unneeded lessons on behalf of my brother—but only if you agree to my terms and conditions.”

I arch a brow.

“One.” She doesn’t let me interrupt. “You will stay on your side of the resort and not bother me while I’m working.

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