Page 91 of Chasing Hope

worst case just bring me up ;)

bound to win you brownie points

Ireceived the email two nights ago and screamed so loud Matteo thought an intruder broke into the apartment.

With the way my hands are clammy and my heart rate is spiking, you’d think I’m fourteen starting high school again, not twenty-four stepping through the front door of Denver’s dispatch academy. Perhaps I’m not nervous enough, though, because inside, I’m met with a whirlwind of activity.

Close to thirty people stand gathered around the lobby, chatting amongst themselves, and I’m relieved to see a few otherworried expressions in the group. Although I am surprised to find it’s predominantly women in the room.

I’m honestly not sure what I was expecting. The corporate ladder I was climbing in finance was dominated by men. I was constantly overworked trying to prove myself; whatever workload the men received, I was juggling double just to prove I was equally qualified.

Tirelessly trying to prove myself in a man’s world to now be greeted by a sea of women, my heart sighs in contentment.

Squaring my shoulders and lifting my head up high, I try to appear as confident as I can. But I only make it halfway across the room when a woman with dirty blonde hair steps in front of me, clicking her tongue and pointing at me. “I know you.”

Slightly taken aback, I search her features—the deep green eyes, full pouty lips, and petite frame. She’s stunning, a real life Bratz doll, but no familiarity bells are ringing.

Fuck.

Wincing, I can’t hide my guilt. “Sorry, but?—”

“I saidIknow you,” she drawls teasingly, a sly grin spreading across her face. “Never said you knew me.”

An impossibly tall, dark-skinned man slides up beside her, mirroring her grin. “Teasing the newbie already?”

Without giving him a second glance, she waves him off. “They said no hazing this year.”

My eyes widen before I can stop it. “H-hazing? Aren’t we meant to help people?”

“Of course, but it’s so heavy all the time we have to try and inject some lightness somewhere around here.” Turning to the man, she taps a red manicured finger against her lips before pointing at me again. “I know her.”

His brows rise as he turns to study me. “Do we like her?”

I cannot believe they’re doing this in front of me.

Blinking away my shock, I’m about to make a retort when she purses her lips. “We do.”

Crossing my arms over my chest protectively, I find my voice. “So glad I get the tick of approval, but how exactly do youknow me?”

Please don’t tell me you’ve slept with my brother.

Living in the same city as your brother who infamously gets around isnotfor the faint of heart. One time, I was out at dinner with Carter and went to the bathroom and was cornered by a woman who took all of her frustrations about my brother onme.

Caleb was mortified. I’ve never seen him so apologetic before, and of course I milked the shit out of it, but it was terrifying nonetheless.

The man gives her a look. “And a little bit of tongue on her. Absolutely obsessed already.”

“She’s iconic.” She turns to him fully like I’m not even here anymore. “That’s Evie Ellington.”

He gasps, pulling back and placing a hand on his chest, his brown eyes widening comically. “TheEvie.”

Biting the inside of my cheek to stop myself from saying something stupid, I settle on wallowing instead. I cannot believe it’s my first day here andthisis happening. Although I still have no idea whatthiseven is.

The man places a hand on his hip and the move has so much sass in it I’m mentally taking notes.

“Iconic indeed,” he drawls as he looks me up and down, assessing once more before addressing the woman. “Put her out of her misery, A. She’s practically squirming.”

She steps forward, placing a gentle hand on my wrist as she lowers her voice. “You have been applauded in our circle. My best friend Kalani used to date Carter a few years ago and he absolutely destroyed her.” The disgust that overcomes her face is similar to the disgust roiling through me. “I mean, absolutelywreckedher. I’ve never despised a man as much as that abusive piece of shit. Anyway, word got around about what you did to his car and how your friend put him in his place.”