Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 61160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61160 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
To my surprise, she followed my command, and I forced bile down my throat at the view.
“Oh my god, great!” She flung it across the room and collapsed onto the floor. “I feel so much better now.”
“I feel worse.” I looked away from her. “I’m going back to celebrating my thirtieth birthday now.”
“Your birthday isn’t until tomorrow.”
“I’m starting the celebration a day early.”
“You can’t do that to me.” She sat up and grabbed a blanket, wrapping it around her body. “Who am I supposed to talk to about everything that’s happening at Rogue Publishing today?”
I didn’t answer.
I didn’t care.
As if she could read my mind, she narrowed her eyes.
“You do know that a secret buyer purchased this company months ago, right? Whoever it is, they’re insisting that they bring their own CEO. That means, I’ll have to share you since they want my top assistant during the transition.”
“I’ve done all the research you asked me to do on that and I haven’t found anything,” I said. “It’s probably some spoiled rich kid who wants a title and won’t do any real work.”
It took everything in me not to say, “Someone just like you.”
“Well, fine.” She pouted like a toddler. “At some point this week, can you finally buy me that Gucci bag I keep mentioning? I’ll pay you back once my dad turns on my credit cards.”
“I don’t have any extra money to spend at Gucci,” I said. “Unless you want a key chain.”
“Ugh. Stop being so cheap!” she said. “It’s only five-thousand dollars.”
“That’s more than what I make in a month.”
“What?” She blinked, looking at me in horror. “You’re … a poor person? All this time I’ve known you, you’ve been poor?”
Oh my god.
“What’s that like?” She looked dead-ass serious. “How do you survive on so little?”
“Cheap food and knockoffs, I guess,” I said. “I really have to go now. I have a scavenger hunt to start.”
“Wait.” She grabbed her purse and pulled out a handful of twenty-dollar bills. “Here … Is this enough to get you a cot in a homeless shelter tonight?”
I rolled my eyes and walked out of her suite, tempted to jump from the hallway window.
When I made it downstairs, she sent me a new text message.
Hazel (Daddy Buys Her Everything) Swift
Can you come back up for a few seconds? I think I have another emergency. He might’ve left something in my other hole…
She sent me four more messages right after, but instead of running back to her side like I always did, I turned off my phone.
She’s not ruining my birthday.
Not this year.
This Isn’t Yours
Chloe
Seattle, Washington
“Hey there, sexy girl!” A man across the street yelled at me later that evening. “Need someone to take you home tonight?”
“If you do, don’t choose him. Choose me!” Another guy yelled over him.
Blushing, I ignored them and looked over my reflection in a Whimstery Cafe window.
Dark brown curls fell to my shoulders in waves, framing my face with new auburn highlights, and the Chanel dress and heels could convince anyone that I’d just stepped off the front cover of Vogue.
Focusing on my scavenger hunt, I double-checked the second clue.
Chloe’s EPIC Birthday Clue #2
Show off your new glittering heels while taking a quick stroll to your favorite coffee shop on Pine Street.
Get ready to receive a huge pop of pink.
I stepped inside the cafe and approached the counter.
“Are you Chloe March?” the barista immediately looked up. “The birthday girl?”
“Yes.”
“I wish I had friends like this.” He handed me a pink and pearl balloon bouquet, a special coffee, and a silver envelope with the next clue.
Chloe’s EPIC Birthday Clue #3
On the very top floor of this place, a very sexy surprise awaits. (Hint: It’s where you’ve mentioned wanting to stare at the stars in luxury. It starts with an “F” and ends with an “S.)
The clue boggled my mind for what felt like forever, and I was tempted to pull out the backup paper list they gave me, but I didn’t want to cheat just yet.
I sipped the last drop of my coffee, and it finally hit me.
The Four Seasons.
Rushing down 1st Avenue, I tried not to smile at the long, lingering glances and whistles that followed my every step.
A doorman tipped his hat as I approached The Four Seasons’ marble and gold entrance.
“I hope you’re enjoying your stay with us, Miss.” He looked me over. “Let me know if there’s anything—and I mean anything—that I can do for you.”
“Will do, sir.”
“Here.” He pressed a business card into my palm. “Call me directly and I’ll make sure the staff handles it within seconds.”
I nodded, almost feeling like I belonged here, and made my way to an open elevator.
There was no button for the roof, no sign that mentioned anything about stargazing.
Confused, I reread the clue and pressed the button for twenty-one.