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Her face drops slightly. “I’m sure Mr. Sullivan will make it happen.”

As she walks away, I feel bad. I know she thought that I was going to be the one to finally break Aaron out of his work cycle, but I don’t want her to hope for those things because it’s not going to happen.

I’m just here to have a little bit of fun and make the best of the opportunity in front of me.

I clean up my face and take my plate downstairs with me.

I walk through the main hallway, which has what looks like an aquarium in the walls. It’s beautiful and insane.

I suppose he has people who look after the aquarium, but it seems like such a random thing to have in a house.

I find my way through the place and put my plate one of the kitchens. Apparently there are multiple.

Now I can go exploring.

I find a fully stocked bar on the first floor, near the pool area. I press the buttons on the marble counter and glasses with ice raise up from the middle of the counter. Okay, that was cool.

I pick the one that looks most like a cocktail glass and start making my own concoction.

By the end of my mixing escapades, I have a very colorful, strong and sweet drink. I plop an umbrella and a cherry in it and make my way to the pool area.

I don’t know where I put my phone among all the chaos of packing and coming to the house. It’s not like I need it. It’s probably good to unwind, go tech-free.

I make my way out through the glass door and am greeted with a refreshing breeze.

The outdoor area looks like something out of a resort, only without all the noise and people. I inspect the large pool and the gorgeous waterfall at the end. It’s like a private oasis.

I realize there’s another bar out here as well as a mini kitchen. Aaron really does have everything.

I look around to find some sunscreen and a towel and I stumble across a pool float. Perfect!

I plop the large blue lounger-style float in the pool and carefully balance my drink as I get in.

The water sends a chill up my spine in the best way possible.

After maneuvering myself into position and putting my cocktail into the drink holder. I close my eyes and float around.

I can’t believe I went from such a shitty job to this blissful moment.

I feel a piece of me click into place, one that I lost when my mom died. I feel at peace.

A sudden sound makes me jump, almost knocking my drink over.

It’s Aaron.

I suddenly feel very awkward for making myself so comfortable.

CHAPTER 13

AARON

The deal, the life-altering deal that could fix everything the reality show couldn’t, is close to closing but not quite. We’re on a tightrope and one wrong step could ruin it all.

The thought of it not going through makes my chest feel tight. I need some air.

I’m going through the logistics of the deal in my head as I head out to the pool.

It takes me a moment to register what I’m seeing.