*Ava*Once I get back to my apartment, I quickly get to work on my resume. I have a few companies in mind that I’m interested in applying to. Business management is thankfully a common job that is always looking for new hires, so I don’t anticipate this being too difficult a task. Not to mention I have Liam’s help and support. I know he wants me to come to work for him when I graduate, but I want to see what’s out there. The other places I plan on applying to are other larger companies around New York, and I’m excited at the prospect of going out into the world. I’ve spent so much of my life trying to get to this point, and I’m giddy to have gotten here.I edit my resume before quickly sending it off to Liam to look over. He’s been in the business industry for decades. He must have good insider techniques and trade secrets that can easily help me get a job, plus all the connections to help me get to know people in the industry. I don’t doubt his abilities to help and to be in th

*Ava*My breath is taken away, words failing me. I can’t believe Liam’s brought me to Vermont. The weather’s finally warm enough here that Vermont is green and lush. I’ve always known Vermont was this absolutely gorgeous state. But to be here in person with the changing weather, seeing the flowers, trees, and green well-trimmed grass, is another thing entirely. We land in Burlington, and Liam tells me we’re going to stay a night here before we go to Woodstock tomorrow. “We can explore the city a bit, check out the scenery.” I hold in all the squeals I want to let burst from my chest. The thought Liam’s put into this weekend makes me want to melt into a puddle. It’s all so surreal. “We’ll stay in a more secluded area tomorrow, but for tonight, I have reservations at an inn.” I shake my head in disbelief. “This is all so insane.” I touch Liam’s arm. “Thank you for this.” His eyes are warm as he hides a smile on his own face. “Of course.” There is a car waiting for

*Liam*I am ready to take this farmhouse down board by board. I consider throwing my phone at the wall, letting the image Mark sent me shatter with it, then hole up here for the rest of Ava and my natural lives.But that wouldn’t be fair to Ava.“What’s going on, Liam?” Ava asks, correctly reading my expression. I hate that I have to tell her this, I know how much this is going to hurt her.I sigh and bring the phone over to her, surprised the screen hasn’t cracked with how hard I’m holding it in my hand.Pulling my chair over to be side-by-side with Ava’s, I reveal the screen that had been hiding against my palm.Mark had sent me a screenshot of a text he received from James Kincaid. And it was blackmail.On Ava and me.Ava gasps and takes the phone from me, gripping it in shaking hands.A photo of me escorting Ava into my Lamborghini sits insidiously on the screen. The smile she’s giving me is not a ‘daughter’s best friend’ smile. And the smile I’m giving her is far

*Liam*I button my charcoal, pinstripe vest and look in the mirror to tie my tie. If I was going into battle with James, I was going to make sure my armor was perfect.I shrug on my suit coat last and make my way to the elevator, taking it down from the penthouse to the garage. My town car and Lamborghini sit side-by-side. I choose the Lamborghini. It’s the one from the picture after all. If James can pull power moves, so can I.James, the cocky bastard, chose his own shitty restaurant for the meet. I think bitingly about accusing him of giving people salmonella poisoning, but that isn’t really fair to Chef Jaime, even though the creative Mexican fusion food did suck ass. Tastes like it, too.Maybe I’d just get the most expensive shot of tequila they had to throw in James’ face.I pull out smoothly into traffic and, sooner than I want to be, I’m at Dos Jaimes. I park my car – James wants to think his restaurant is high-end, but he doesn’t even have a valet. For a few momen

*Ava*I’m starting to think I should have let Liam stay the night. At least then he would have been around to bolster my confidence about my interview today.As it is, I’m trying not to cry. It will ruin my make-up.Emma never came home last night. I’m worried about her and I feel guilty about the whole situation. I keep trying to think of how we could have navigated this better with her, and I come up blank every time.At least my blouse is perfect. And my shoes. And my jewelry. And my skirt. And my … I straighten my jacket. Now that’s perfect as well.I’m about to head out the door when my phone rings. Thinking it’s probably Liam wishing me luck, I answer without looking at the caller ID.It was a mistake.“Hey, beautiful. Answering on the first ring. I must rate higher than I thought with you,” James says once the line connects.My lips turn down in a grimace. “Fuck off, James. Lose my number.” I pull the phone away from my ear and move my thumb over the red “End” bu