Page 2 of Perfect Alpha

“Yeah, yeah.” I wave dismissively and sigh with pleasure when I take another sip. “Coffee has water in it.”

“You could at least try decaf.”

I snort and turn my mug so she can read the decal:Death before decaf.“What the hell would be the point of drinking thatblasphemy? There are some things in life that we should simply pretend don’t exist.” I tick the horrors off on my fingers. “Diet soda. Sugar-free chocolate. Imitation cheese. Decaf coffee.”

Fiona rolls her eyes. “You need waterandsleep. Maybe try a vegetable or two while you’re at it.”

A siren wails and invades our fifth-floor walk-up, making me jump. Fiona, the native New Yorker, appears not to notice as she picks through our communal fruit bowl.

Waiting until the commotion passes before turning to face her, I rest a hip against the small faux-granite countertop. Feigning casualness, I tell her, “I might have something for you.”

“Really?” She plucks a huge orange from the bowl, and her eyes shimmer with excitement. I hope it’s from the lure of a potential manuscript and not the fruit.

“Yup. I may have pulled a gem out of the slush. It’s a romantic suspense that checks every box. I’ll go through it in more detail after lunch and, if it still looks as good, I’ll send the query your way.”

“Amazing! If it’s as good as you think, go ahead and request the full. Do a quick read, and then I’m happy to look based on your recommendation.”

I nod slowly and keep my expression neutral, but inside I’m doing cartwheels. Fiona and I are friends, but knowing she respects my opinion in a professional capacity makes pride inflate my chest to bursting.

“Thank you. I appreciate it. So much.”

Her eyes are full of warmth, and she squeezes my shoulder before padding silently back to her desk, tossing the orange from hand to hand as she hums.

Sounding like a water buffalo doing ballet in comparison, I dash back to my desk so I can text Hannah the good news. I’ve met a few friends since moving to the city, but no one could ever replace my soul sister.

She still lives in the outskirts of Gardiner, Montana, a four-hour plane ride away. We grew up with side-by-side backyards, and we zipped between each other’s houses so often that our parents installed a gate.

I’d still live there, too, if life had taken the left fork instead of the right, buthey.

My story has been rewritten.

Victory:Today is amazing. I’m kicking ass at work and SO pumped. How are you, babe?

Hannah has her hands full as a single mom to the most adorable toddler on the planet and primary caregiver to her ailing father. She still works part-time and volunteers at church without complaint, making her my hero.

When I’m in the middle of editing a manuscript for one of our newest authors, my phone vibrates.

Hannah:I’m SO ridiculously proud and love you so damn much. I can’t wait to see you this weekend! We’re making it over here. Same old, ya know?

My heart sinks, and I immediately regret the insensitive words. I need to get home and visit more often so I can physically be there to throw a lifeline to my drowning best friend.

Working from home is a viable option for the future, but as I’m building my career, I want to be available to meet with authors, publishers, and other industry professionals in person.

It’s been three months since I was in Montana, and I miss my parents and Hannah something fierce. Hannah’s older brother comes with the package, and as much as I hate having unwelcome, painful reminders thrown in my face on the regular, Cade is a necessary evil.

It doesn’t matter what we used to do through our bedroom windows because his existence makes me want to put wood planks over the glass now. Or, you know, hit him square in the face with one.

Victory:What can I do?

Hannah sends me a picture of her and my adorable honorary nephew making silly faces, and I grin so hard that my cheeks hurt while my eyes fill with hot tears.

Hannah:Come home to us.

Spending some much needed time with my favorite kid, and ensuring Hannah has a well-deserved break, will make dealing with her stupid brother almost tolerable.

Almost.

As though I conjured it, a picture message notification pops up just as I’m setting my phone back on the desk. Since it’s from Cade, and I obviously don’t want to see whatever he’s sent, I place it facedown so the incessant blinking doesn’t drive me to distraction.

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