Chapter 4

VIVIANNE

The first thing I notice is the beautiful hardwood floors that stretch across the spacious living room.

I step inside the penthouse, pushing the door wider and taking in the open-concept layout.

A wall with two doors stands at the far end of the space, next to the kitchen, where a large island sits in the center—big enough that I could probably sleep on top of it.

A large flat-screen TV—at least sixty-five inches—is mounted on the wall above an electric fireplace, facing an expensive-looking tan L-shaped sectional.

In front of it, a sleek black coffee table rests atop a colorful rug that pulls the living room together.

A dark dining table with six chairs sits just before the kitchen, a beautiful bouquet of lilies in the center of a gold-laced runner completing the space.

“This place is amazing,” I murmur, taking it all in.

I feel like I just stepped into another dimension. I could park three cars in this place and still have room to dance around. It’s a far cry from my apartment—these rooms are at least four times the size.

“If this is the living space, I can’t imagine what the bedroom looks like,” Jenna says, her voice full of excitement as she runs a hand gently across the floor-to-ceiling windows.

A door, looking small in comparison, leads to a balcony overlooking the city.

I don’t waste time. I cross the apartment and open the first door, revealing a bedroom that looks straight out of a design magazine.

Jenna squeals, pushing past me and swinging her arms wide. “This place is huge, Viv!”

“I see that.” I sigh, shaking my head. A large bed sits in the center of the room, dressed in a muted purple bedspread. Matching end tables flank either side.

An off-white shag rug rests beneath the bed, making me want to run and jump into it.

I smile wide and head toward a second door, where I find a bathroom.

“Wow,” I whisper, stepping inside. A claw-foot soaking tub gleams under the soft lights—a thing of beauty.

This place is like a dream.

I shut the door and do a little happy shake, tugging Jenna into my dance.

“What’s in there?”

“The bathroom. It has a shower and a claw-foot tub, Jenna!”

She gasps and rushes over to look for herself, then dramatically pretends to faint.

Back in the bedroom, I spot a desk with a laptop and arched bookshelves that match the ones in the living room, lining the wall on either side.

This place isn’t just luxurious—it’s thoughtfully designed.

“What do you think the other door is?” Jenna says, already heading toward it.

We push it open to find a smaller bedroom, furnished simply with a bed covered by a pale yellow comforter and a single bookshelf.

Just when I think I’ve seen it all, I spot another door near the front entrance, set into a section of wall that juts out like a cube.

Curious, I walk over and push it open, revealing another bathroom.

This place is practically a palace compared to mine.

I take a second to breathe, overwhelmed by all the changes I know are coming.

“What if I can’t do it?” I ask, looking at Jenna as she opens the pale blue cabinets and drawers in the kitchen.

“Can’t do what?” she asks, looking back at me.

I rest my elbows on the white marble countertops in the kitchen, gold woven through the stone like it was hand-painted.

She opens a floor-to-ceiling cabinet, finding shelves with appliances neatly tucked into them—a mixer, blender, coffee maker, juicer, and more.

“Jenna, what if I’m not cut out for this?” I try again, my voice shaky.

She scoffs. “What if the sky falls?”

She fidgets with the knobs on the too-fancy stove. I’m pretty sure that thing could cook a gourmet meal all by itself.

I blink. “Huh?”

“Or what if the sun burns out? What if all fish go extinct in the next five minutes? What if…” She pauses, tilting her head. “What if you ~can~ do this?”

I stare at her, trying to decide if she’s lost her marbles.

“My point is,” she continues, “you can’t go off what-ifs, Viv. Anything could happen. But overthinking isn’t going to get you anywhere.” She offers a small smile, then turns back to her search.

I don’t respond—I’m not feeling very talkative anymore. The lump in my throat is too thick.

“Let’s go,” I say finally.

~I need coffee. ~

Jenna doesn’t press—just nods and follows me out the door.

We walk in silence until we reach the street.

“Want me to come back to your place?” she asks.

I shake my head. “No, I think I’m good. Thanks.”

She stares at me for a second, then nods before walking away.

Three blocks later, I step into a coffee shop and order something with way too much sugar. I need the comfort.

Settling into a seat by the window, I pull out my phone and check my email. A dozen new spam messages—and two from Liam.

I open the first. Attached is the revised contract.

Taking a quick sip of coffee, I scroll to the second email.

Vivianne,

Thanks again for agreeing to meet with me today. If you need any help settling into the new apartment, please feel free to call.

—Liam

I stare at the screen, my lips curving slightly despite the nerves swirling in my stomach.

I ~could~ probably use some help moving some of my stuff.

Sighing, I slip my phone back into my bag and head for my apartment.

***

I adjust my ponytail for the millionth time, piling more books into the tote I’m working on filling.

I look around the apartment. It looks much neater—though a lot less homey—but my essentials are mostly packed.

This is the last of it. Once my books are packed, I’ll be ready to go. Then all that’s left is loading everything into my car.

It’s been three days since I last saw Liam. He called me into the office to give me a personnel badge and a black Stryder Corp credit card, and told me to be back on Monday at six a.m. for training.

When I tried to give the card back, he refused.

Now I’m finishing the last of my packing, wishing I were doing anything else.

My phone buzzes, and I open the text.

Jenna

Coming up.

I throw the last of my books into the tote box, squish the top on, and drag it out of my bedroom into the living room with the other boxes.

The front door creaks open slightly, and Jenna steps inside, eyeing the mess. “Holy crap, girl.”

“These are my essentials.” I let out a laugh, but she doesn’t look the least bit amused.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, genuinely concerned.

“Nothing, I’m fine.”

If she isn’t ready to talk, I won’t push it.

I grab a tote and carry it over to her before returning for my own.

She hefts hers up and heads toward the stairs as I follow closely behind.

By the time we reach the car, we’re both breathing heavily, and my arms feel like lead.

I open the door as she loads her tote, then slide mine beside it. We go back for more, stacking them on top.

“Hey, ladies,” a familiar voice calls once I’ve shut the car door.

I turn to see Liam—his suit nowhere in sight, a loose T-shirt draped over him in all the right ways, his jeans hugging every curve.

Snapping myself out of it, I mumble a hello.

“What are you doing here?” Jenna asks, wary.

“I stopped by the penthouse and you weren’t there, so I figured I’d drop by.” He half-smiles at me, and my heart skips a beat.

Jenna smirks. “Good. Little Miss Essentials over there needed help.”

Flushing, I quickly walk away. They chat behind me like old friends.

I swing my apartment door open and step inside to let them by. Liam is already looking around.

I head straight for the four remaining totes and glance at Jenna. “Just two more trips,” I say.

“No need. Let me help,” Liam says, already grabbing one.

“Okay. I’ll just come back for the…” My voice trails off as I watch him stack one tote on top of another, then lift the bottom one with ease.

I glance at his arms, his muscles straining against his sleeves, my mouth watering.

Jenna nudges me, pulling me from my daze. I grab a tote, lock my door, and hurry after them.

By the time I catch up, Jenna is already helping Liam load the car.

“I gotta go, but I’ll come by later to check in, ‘kay?” she says, tossing a barely there smile my way before hurrying off down the street.

Liam stares after her for a minute before turning his smile back on me.

“I can ride with you if you don’t mind.”

I nod and slide into the driver’s seat, regretting my move to the city. No wonder everyone walks—I can’t stand driving here.

“There’s a parking lot around the corner—yep, there.” Liam points, and I turn in, relieved we made it with all this stuff inside.

“Thanks.” I force a cheery tone.

We unload quickly, and I’m grateful for the elevator. Liam stacks totes without effort while I lag behind, my arms aching.

Inside, we drop everything by the door and make two quick trips to finish.

I start unpacking books while Liam pops open a tote filled with clothes.

“I’ll get that. If you want to help, you can put books up there,” I say, nodding toward the shelf.

“You should stay for dinner,” I add, disappearing into the bedroom.

As I put the tote down, I hear only silence from the kitchen. The air feels different when I step back into the room.

Liam is leaning against the island, arms crossed, staring at nothing. There’s tension in his jaw, his fingers tapping against his bicep like he’s bracing for impact.

I pause. Something’swrong.

“What?” I ask.

He hesitates, then exhales sharply. “My father’s expecting us for a meeting tomorrow.”

My stomach twists. “Us?”

Liam nods, rubbing the back of his neck. “He—he needs to see that I’m serious. About ~this~.” He gestures between us, but his tone is off—forced, like he’s trying to convince himself as much as me.

There’s something else. Something he isn’t saying.

I step closer. “Liam…”

He lets out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. “It’s not just him. My associates…the board…they all think it’s time I ‘settle down.’ If I want to take over Stryder Corp, I need to prove I’m stable. That I have a future.”

The room suddenly feels smaller, like the walls are pressing in.

Liam’s gaze flicks to mine, and for the first time since we made this deal, I see it—fear. Fear of failing.

“You’re—You’re afraid.”

He exhales sharply. “Yeah,” he admits, voice low. “I am.”

I swallow hard. I knew this arrangement was complicated, but I didn’t realize just how much was riding on it.

On ~me~.