I blink and lift my gaze to the older man sitting in front of me, waiting patiently for my answer. His pen stills over the page, his eyes locked on me like I’m a puzzle he hasn’t quite solved yet.

I take in his appearance, and instantly, my nerves sharpen. His hair is mostly gray, but streaks of dark still weave through it, like shadows clinging stubbornly to the light. His eyes are startling green, cool yet glorious, and for a man his age…he’s undeniably handsome.

A silver fox in every sense of the word.

I shift in my seat, crossing my legs, straightening my spine. Maybe if I sit like I belong here, I’ll convince him and myself that I do.

“My greatest quality?” I repeat, clearing my throat. My heart hammers. “I believe it’s that I’m headstrong. Some might call it a flaw, but to me, it means I never give up. However difficult the task may be, I don’t stop until I’ve achieved it.”

I meet his gaze, steady, unflinching. For once, I don’t let my nerves show.

Slowly, Mr. Jones Lancaster nods, holding my eyes. Then the corner of his mouth quirks upward, just slightly.

“I like that answer. All I’ve heard all day is confidence, ambition, trustworthiness. Same words, different mouths. But you…” He leans back, dropping his pen on the desk. “I like you, Miss Alvarez. Can you start Monday?”

For a second, my brain shorts out. Did he just—?

“Yes, sir,” I say, keeping my tone polite, professional, even though inside, I’m screaming.

“Excellent. Nine o’clock sharp. Megan will get you settled.” He rises from his chair, extending his hand.

I stand, taking it carefully, squeezing back. “Thank you so much, Mr. Jones Lancaster. I truly appreciate this opportunity.”

“Welcome to the team, Miss Chloe.”

The second I step out of his glass office, I let out the breath I’ve been holding, my chest trembling with relief. I got it. I actually got it. Executive assistant to the CEO of one of the most prestigious architecture firms in the country. Sure, it’s not design work yet, but it’s a foot in the door. A chance.

And after the months I’ve had, I need a win.

Dropping out of university to pay tuition and keep food on the table wasn’t a choice, it was survival. Dad’s been gone eleven years now, cancer taking him when I’d barely turned eighteen. Since then, it’s been on me to take care of Mom and my older brother, Larry. Mom hasn’t been the same since Dad passed, barely leaves the house, afraid of the world without him. Larry tries, but asthma and his temper get him fired faster than he’s hired.

So yeah, my dreams had to wait. Until now.

For the first time in forever, things feel like they might actually work out.

I all but sprint up the stairs to the apartment I share with Osas and Jenny. My lifelines. My sisters by choice. The second I slide my key into the lock, the door is yanked open.

Two messy buns. Two oversized sweatshirts. Two sets of wide, sparkling eyes.

“Well?” they demand in unison.

I blink at them. “What?”

“Bitch, how did the interview go?” Jenny practically spits Lucky Charms across the doorway.

“It went…well.”

I try to step inside, but Osas plants her arm across the doorframe, blocking me. “More,” she drawls, eyes narrowed in scrutiny.

I shrug. “He seemed interested, but there were so many applicants with more experience. So…”

Their faces fall. I bite back my grin.

“Oh, well it’s their loss. You’re amazing, bish.” Osas loops an arm around me, steering me inside. “Something better will come. It always does.”

I glance at the cozy apartment we’ve built together—three bedrooms, an open-plan lounge, tiny kitchen, and a bathroom we all fight over. It’s not flashy, but it’s ours. If I hadn’t gotten the job, I’d be packing to move back in with Mom and Larry, and I couldn’t face that.

I drop my jacket on the sofa. “Guess you won’t need to find another tenant for my room after all.”

Jenny freezes. “Wait. What did you just say?”

I smirk. “I said—you won’t need to.”

Their jaws drop.

“You got it?” Jenny screeches. “You GOT the job?”

I nod.

Chaos. Screams. Arms flailing. We tumble onto the sofa in a heap of limbs, laughing and crying all at once.

“You’re stuck with me, bitches!” I shout through my giggles.

Jenny wipes her eyes. “We’re celebrating. Tonight. No excuses.”

Osas is already sprinting to her room. “Clothes! Makeup! Let’s gooo!”

I groan, sprawled on the sofa. “I was going to sleep…”

“Sleep is for the weak!” Osas yells.

Jenny’s already rifling through my closet. “Chloe Alvarez, you’re getting drunk tonight.”

And somehow, against my better judgment, I let them drag me out into the neon-lit Portland night.

The club is chaos…