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They can’t be much older than me.
At twenty-six, I feel like I’ve gotten a late start, but it couldn’t be helped. When your father gets sick, it changes the time frame.
My eyes stray from the darker-haired man to the one who nearly knocks the air from my lungs. He’s tall and broad-shouldered, but trim at the waist. His suit looks tailored to his body like a well-fitted glove.
He’s imposing and beautiful. Even from here, the cut of his jaw gives the impression he’s been carved from stone by a master carver.
Pure perfection.
As if manifested, his head turns toward me, and our eyes lock. My breath hitches, and my stomach flips. He holds my gaze, and I don’t so much as take a breath through the encounter.
It’s unlikely he’s actually looking at me from clear across the room, but I refuse to turn away. An exotic beauty, dressed to the nines, walks up from behind him, placing a hand on his shoulder and whispering something into his ear.
My stomach twists with jealousy. I don’t understand.
I don’t know this guy, and he’s so far out of my league, it’s depressing.
A small smirk spreads over his handsome face, and my body reacts in ways it never has before. It’s as though he can sense my envy, and he’s lapping it up.
Holy. Shit.
“Raven?” Lily asks, drawing my attention away from the stranger and back to my friends.
My head shakes as I try to knock myself from the trance I’ve been in. To wipe away the lust that one look from a handsome stranger caused.
“Huh?”
“Are you ready to start your job?” she asks, eyes narrowed in on me.
I blink several times, considering her question. “Yes, but—”
“But what?” she presses.
“If I’m being honest...” I bite my lip.
“Always.”
“I’m pretty nervous about the whole thing. I’m happy I got the job, don’t get me wrong. And I know I’m qualified, but I still can’t help but worry. What if I mess something up? Am I good enough? What if I screw up this chance? You know what I mean?”These are the moments I miss Dad the most.He would sit me down at our kitchen table, offer me a cookie, and tell me exactly why I deserve this. His lips would part into a large grin, and I would believe him.
“Whoa. You didn’t take a breath there.” Asher chuckles, and I welcome the joke. It pulls me away from wallowing.
He wouldn’t want me to.
Lily eyes me curiously before offering a comforting smile. “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine. You were always the smartest out of us three.”
I take a deep breath, willing my racing heart to slow.
“I have no doubt that you’ll kick ass.” Asher’s smile is wide and reassuring.
I return the smile, grateful for my friends, especially Ash. He always believes in me, even when I don’t. It’s what I love most about him.
“He’s right, you know. You’re really good with people, and you’re amazing at all this advertising and marketing stuff. You see things that a lot of people don’t.”
My hands rise. “Okay. Enough flattery, guys. I’m fine. I swear.”
Asher raises one eyebrow as though to say,yeah, right.
“I mean it,” Lily continues.
