I look up at the clear blue sky.
If guardian angels truly exist, I know I have two amazing ones watching over me.
Hopefully they’ll help me nail this job interview.
Nerves flutter in my belly as I ring the doorbell. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to wear, so I went with a pencil skirt and a white button-up.
Classic professional.
Unless my potential boss has an aversion to the pink in my hair. In that case, he can go fuck himself.
I’m debating whether to ring the doorbell again when it opens.
“Come on in,” Landon says. “Asher’s finishing up a phone call, but he’ll be done any minute.”
Did I want to accept Asher’s offer to be his social media manager? No.
It’s a terrible idea to mix business and friendship. However, the more I thought about it, the more opening up my own social media company made sense.
Two players on Asher’s team have already hired me and it’s going good so far.
I figure adding Asher to the list would not only give me more experience, it would be a hot selling point to other potential clients.
“Is Breslin at her studio?”
Leading me down the hallway, Landon nods. “Yup. She’s working on a few paintings for an upcoming art exhibit, so she’s been super busy.”
I’m glad Breslin’s still chasing her dreams. It gives me the push to chase mine.
Landon knocks on the door of Asher’s office. “Sir, your three-o’clock appointment is here.”
My eyebrows rise. “Sir?”
Asher insisted we have a proper interview to make it legit, but I didn’t think Landon was in on it.
Landon’s lips twitch. “He likes it when I call him that.”
Yeah. I definitely didn’t need to know that.
“Send her on in,” Asher barks from the other side.
Landon opens the door and gestures for me to enter. “After you.”
Asher’s sitting in his big leather chair at his desk, looking thoroughly frustrated with whoever’s on the phone. “That’s not gonna work, Joe. Repeat after me—seven figures. Not four.” He slams the phone down and looks at us. “My agent sucks balls. And not in a good way.” Standing, he extends his hand. “Hi, I’m Asher Holden. And you are?”
Oh, boy.
I shake his hand. “Kit Bishop.” I bite back a smile. “Holden.”
“Awesome last name.” He gestures for me to sit in the chair across from him. “Can my secretary get you anything? Water? Soda?”
I look at Landon who isn’t amused. “I’m good. Thanks.”
Landon starts to leave. “I’ll let you two have your interview.”
“Don’t forget to let me know when my driver arrives,” Asher barks before his tone softens. “Also, I love you.”
Landon shakes his head, but there’s a big grin on his face as he shuts the door behind him.
Asher waggles his eyebrows. “My secretary’s hot as fuck, huh?”
I’m not really sure how to answer that, so I just stay quiet.
And things turn awkward.
We haven’t spoken much since I found out he lied for Preston.
Truth be told, I’m hurt that he did. I thought we were friends.
Family even.
I notice he’s wearing the shirt I bought him, so I use that to break the ice. “You’re wearing the shirt.”
Plucking it from his body, he looks down at it. “Of course, I am. I love it. It’s my new favorite shirt.”
I sit up in my chair. “Really?”
“No.” His expression evens out. “It’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen.” He gives me a sheepish shrug. “I’m sorry for not having your back. I should have told you Preston wasn’t talking to our mom. It’s just…”
He doesn’t finish that sentence, but he doesn’t have to.
“I’m your friend…but he’s your brother.”
“Exactly.” He blows out a breath. “Can’t stand the asshole right now, but I’d still do anything for him.”
“Like lie to me about him seeing Becca behind my back.”
He swipes a finger through the air. “Now that I didn’t know. I thought it was a random skank he was screwing on the down low.”
I don’t know if that was intended to make me feel better, but it doesn’t.
“Right.” I stare at the carpet. “If you knew it was Becca, would you have told me then?”
“No,” he says without any hesitation. “But I would have dropped some major hints to Breslin so she could tell you.” His gaze turns inward. “I’m sorry I wasn’t a good friend. I was just trying to be a good brother.”
As much as I hate what he did. I understand it.
“I know. Truth be told, if Breslin was seeing another guy behind your back and asked me to keep it a secret from you, I would.”
He pales. “What?” His mouth opens and closes like a fish. “Is she?” Standing, he clutches his chest, looking like he’s two seconds away from passing out. “I know she’s been at the studio a lot lately, but—”
“Relax,” I tell him before he has a heart attack. “Breslin isn’t cheating on you.”
Relieved, he plops back down in his chair. “Thank God. I felt like I was gonna die.”
I glare at him. “Doesn’t feel too great, huh?”
“Point taken.” This time he looks genuinely sorry. “If my brother ever put me in that position again, I’d…”
“Still keep his secret,” I finish for him after a few moments pass.
He sulks. “Send smoke signals.”
I really don’t want to rip into him about this anymore. It was a shitty situation, but it’s over.
I give him a small smile. “Smoke signals work for me.”
He swallows, looking all kinds of uncomfortable. “How is he?”
It kills me that Asher has to ask how his own brother is doing. Especially when he lives right next door. But alas, I don’t think Preston’s grudge will be going away anytime soon.
“He’s good.” Emotion tugs at my heart. “He isn’t gambling, but he’s been spending a lot of time with Jameson.”
His expression becomes forlorn. “Yeah, Breslin told me. Well, not much because she doesn’t know much.” He scrubs a hand down his face. “I feel like my brother has this secret life I know nothing about.”
That makes two of us.
“Yeah.”
He brings a mug to his lips. “How are you handling it?”
“His secret life bothers me because I’m not part of it. But that kid…Preston’s face lights up every time he talks about him.”
And his happiness makes me happy. Which in turn helps me deal with the situation.
“For what it’s worth, his face lights up every time he talks about you, too,” Asher murmurs with a shake of his head. “Man, I never thought I’d see my brother in love. I presumed he was incapable of it.” His blue eyes cut to mine. “But then you came along.”
There’s a weird twinge of sadness in his voice and I don’t know what to make of it.
Asher takes a slow breath, as if choosing his next words carefully. “I thought marrying you was a huge mistake, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to him.” He shifts forward in his seat and the stark emotion on his face pins me to the spot. “Thank you for saving my brother.”