Page 72 of The Money Shot

She nodded once, already turning back to her computer. “Good. Now get back to work.”

I thanked her again, but my feet practically skipped on the way out of her office.

Liam and I, on a tropical island.

The thought alone made me grin like an idiot.

I couldn’t wait to tell him.

I got to my desk, dropped into my chair, and stared at the folder like it held the meaning of life. St. Kitts. A tropical paradise. And not just that—a paid trip to paradise, with the chance to take someone special. Someone like…Liam.

The thought of his reaction made me grin. I grabbed my phone, opened our text thread, and dashed off a message:

Huge surprise for you. Enormous. Life-changing. Get ready.

A few seconds later, my phone dinged. But the reply wasn’t what I expected.

Ooooh, intriguing. Is it as life-changing as the surprise he has for YOU?

I frowned at the screen. That didn’t sound like Liam at all. He didn’t use extra O’s, and he definitely didn’t write in all caps.

Uh, Liam? Is everything okay?

Another ding.

Sweetie, this isn’t Liam—it’s Nessa. But don’t worry, he’s in excellent hands. ;) And trust me, Jack, his surprise will blow your mind.

I stared at my phone, my mouth falling open slightly.

Why do you have Liam’s phone?!

A long pause. Then:

Let’s just say he’s…undergoing a transformation.

I leaned back in my chair and rubbed my forehead. What did that even mean? Was he on drugs? Had Nessa kidnapped him? Nessa was insane, so anything was possible. And honestly, Liam choosing to spend time with her? That was more confusing than anything else. Had she blackmailed him? Hypnotized him? What had I missed?

Whatever. It didn’t matter. Not when I had a literal vacation to the Caribbean lined up, paid for and ready to share with Liam.

I shook my head, texted back a quick good luck with whatever you’re doing, and tucked my phone away.

The train ride home was a blur. All I could think about was Liam. His reaction when I told him about the trip. The way his eyeswould light up, that dimpled smile spreading across his face. I wanted to see that smile more than anything.

As soon as the train pulled into my stop, I shot out of my seat and power-walked through the doors. By the time I hit the sidewalk, I was practically jogging toward my building.

I pushed through the lobby doors, already reaching for the elevator button, when a gravelly voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Jack.”

I turned to see Dimitri, our building’s reclusive, perpetually scowling security guard, staring at me from behind his desk. He rarely spoke to anyone except Nessa, and even then, it was begrudging. The fact that he knew my name was alarming.

“Uh, hey, Dimitri,” I said, slowing my pace. “Something wrong?”

He stood slowly, like his knees had seen better days, and folded his arms across his chest. “You are a lucky man, Jack.”

I blinked. “Thanks…?”

His dark, bushy eyebrows lifted. “You do not know why?”