Page 7 of Idle

“Still, did you say this show would take you out of your house for six whole weeks? No parents, and no engaged couples?”

I take another lick of my lollipop, then point toward the door. “That’s true. It would provide me a safe haven for over a month and a half. But if we’re kicked off sooner, I’d lose the sanctuary.”

“There’s a simple answer. Don’t lose.” She punctuates her statement by putting her lips around the straw.

Her idea does have some merit. I could solve my housing problem for a few blessed weeks of quiet. “I don’t know.”

“Think about it. I’d like for one of us to be gainfully employed.” She shakes her hand, and the sound of ice cubes banging on the inside of her cup comes through the screen. “Do I know this friend?”

I picture the gorgeousbankerwith the amazing eyes. Plus a bod I’m sure he knows how to handle in all the right ways. “No. I only met him tonight.”Neanderthal.

Her mouth flies open. “Wait a minute. Him?”

“He went to business school with Xander and now fancies himself a carpenter.”

“A carpenter, huh? Bet he’s good with his hands.”

I pull my best imitation of Halle trying to corral a bridezilla. “He has to be like thirty. Ancient.” At least seven years older than me.

She waves her hand, the mug swirling in the air. “That’s nothing. My guess is he ticks all the boxes off your famed checklist.”

“Your name, not mine.” She winks at me, to which I return with a frown. While he is sort of hot, he failed the easiest three items within minutes. Nope. Totally not boyfriend material.

She takes another sip. “Well, I’ve gone through all my soda, so this is my cue to hang up. Consider what I’ve said. This show could be your temporary way out of the hell you’re living through.”

I nod. “You make a good point.” I sit on the bed. “You should consider a fake marriage, too. A new—legal—last name could take you far.”

Chloe runs her fingers through her hair. “I don’t know. I think I’d rather be you than me. At least your solution involves you getting national exposure on television for a good reason rather than what we’re getting now.”

I force my lips upward. “We’ll make it through this. We always do.”

After we hang up, I flop onto my back. Should I take Jesse up on his offer? Putting Chloe’s comments about how skilled his hands are aside—not that I ever considered the same—it would get me out of this awful house for a while. I flinch when another glass breaks.

Maybe this isn’t such a bad idea after all.

4

Paige

Irip the top sheet off my desk calendar. Friday. The day I promised I’d let Jesse know if I’m willing to be his partner.

I’ve spent the better part of the past couple of days trying to make up my mind. From a housing perspective, it makes total sense for me to do this. Yet I’m still unsure. Seems to me the show will entail lots of hard work, which is the only four-letter word I abhor.

The intercom rings. Because Luna left about ten minutes ago to run to the store, I’ve been put on door duty. Lucky me. Leaving the kitchen, I answer the buzzer and am told Father’s lawyer is here. Allowing him up, I go into the solarium and tell Father.

“Andrew Laughlin is coming up.”

Father straightens to his full height and strides to the foyer. With nothing else to do, I trail in his wake. When the elevator door dings, a distinguished grey-haired man with a briefcase steps out of the cab. We all shake hands, then Father ushers us into the living room.

The attorney looks from Father to me then opens his briefcase. “Normally, I wouldn’t share any information with anyone but you, Ogden, but I’ll make an exception in this case. Especially since it involves Paige as well.”

My chest tightens. Why would Father’s legal troubles involve me?

With those ominous words, we sit down. Mr. Laughlin opens his briefcase on his lap and holds out a stapled document to Father. “I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the government has made a motion to freeze all of the assets owned by the partners of VOW-cubed.”

Father jumps to his feet and rips the papers out of his attorney’s hand. “You have to be fucking kidding me. How could you have let this happen?” His growl ricochets off every corner of the living room. No, the entire apartment.

Why did the lawyer want me here? I sink back into the cushions, trying to make myself invisible.

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