Libby

I pull in front of my best friend’s condo in my new loaner Jeep. It’s the most expensive model they make – equipped with black leather seats and an off-market GPS and stereo system. I can’t believe he gave this to me after only working for him a day.

The past few days have felt like a whirlwind. I thought I’d prepared myself for meeting the infamous Knox Rivers, but it was nothing like I imagined. I’d geared myself up to deal with a jackass, someone who’d order me around and not acknowledge me for anything else.

Instead, I got something different.

Thomas stuck me with him because he knows I’ll do a good job and won’t put up with Knox’s shit. I’m used to dealing with high-maintenance rock stars. A pop star pretty boy shouldn’t get me too worked up.

And maybe that’s why I hate the entertainment industry so much – because I’ve dealt with it for so long. I despise it but also know a lot about it. I know people. I have connections. I can get reservations at the nicest restaurants and book luxury suites last minute. I know PR and how to twist bad images into shining ones. My dad nearly appointed me his personal assistant by the time I was fifteen.

I inhale a deep breath and release it slowly before getting out and walking inside. Mia moved here about a year ago. She didn’t want to be in a building with hundreds of other people anymore, so her parents found her a kick-ass two-story condo in a gated community with a private entrance and front porch.

“Hey bestie,” Mia calls out. “How did the new job with celebrity boy go?”

I stroll into the kitchen to find her ass planted on the counter, a box of cheese pizza open next to her, and a glass of wine in her hand. Her pitch-black hair is pulled back into tight French braids and she’s only wearing a sports bra and yoga pants.

Mia has been my best friend since third grade. We were both crushing on the same playground heartthrob and hated each other at first, but after he kissed another ponytailed girl, we ditched him, banned together, and swore off boys for the rest of elementary school. She’s been my rock through this entire IRS mess and is letting me stay in her guest room free of charge.

I hop onto the counter on the other side of the pizza. “Pretty much how I imagined it,” I answer, grabbing a slice.

She kicks her bare feet back and forth. “So is he as big of an asshole as the media makes him out to be?”

“I’m not sure. I haven’t exactly figured him out yet.”

Yes, there were times when he acted like a complete jackass, but I can tell there are more dimensions to him. He hides parts of himself, and the hidden parts are always the best ones. He didn’t have to loan me a car. He could’ve been an asshole and refused to work with me, leaving me unemployed. But he didn’t.

“Did he hit on you?”

I scoff. “He’s my boss. I highly doubt he’s going to try to sweet talk me out of my panties.”

“I don’t know, girl. I’ve heard the stories. I don’t think he minds banging his employees.”

“Even if he does try to sleep with me, it’s not happening. The only things on my mind are making money and getting my degree. That’s it.”

“Does he know who you are?”

“I don’t think so. It’s two entirely different worlds. His fans and my dad’s don’t exactly run in the same crowd. His are girls who make posters asking him to marry them. My dad’s are mosh-pit loving lunatics and women who have him sign their tits.”

“You’re probably right, and I doubt the dude reads the tabloids.” She jumps down and brushes crumbs off her stomach. “I’m about to get in the shower.” An innocent smile presses against her lips before she turns around and yells something over her shoulder. “Oh, and by the way, we’re going to Emeralds tonight.”

I slide off the counter and follow her upstairs into her bedroom. “Hell no. You know I hate that place.”

“And so do I. I’d much rather sit on the couch and watch documentaries about serial killers. But it’s Dixon’s birthday, and his brother is throwing him a party there. It will look pretty shitty if his girlfriend doesn’t show up. So tonight, we both suffer.”

I groan, dramatically falling down face first on her bed. “I’m sure Dixon will be okay ditching the party and hanging out here if you ask him.” She and Dixon have been dating since high school, and I’m positive he’s going to pop the question in the next year.

“True, but I can’t miss it.” She lowers her bottom lip and pouts. “It’s one night. If anything goes down, we’ll leave. I promise.”

I roll my eyes, sighing. “Fine.” Mia is an only child, a spoiled only child. “But we’re not staying late. I have to work in the morning.”

“Girl, Knox probably won’t be up until noon.”