Sapph in the City

When I applied for a job as a personal assistant, I had no idea I'd be working for THE Eloise Roth. One of the queens of romance novels, who has dozens of bestsellers under her belt. I also had no idea that she would be strict, demanding, and difficult. Every single day I think about quitting, but for some reason I keep coming back for more. I have no idea when the hell Eloise went from my intimidating boss to the woman who stars in all of my dirtiest fantasies, but it's becoming a real problem, and my already scattered brain is having even more trouble functioning. I'm so getting fired.

Things had been going pretty well for me. My time was filled with my jobs and friends, and my parents seemed to have finally given up on bullying me to go to law school. Then everything changes in the blink of an eye. One minute I’m teaching a yoga class, and the next there’s smoke and then fire and with it comes firefighters. One in particular. She lifted me like some hero from a romance movie and I couldn’t help but notice how good she looked when she took her helmet off and smiled at me. But that’s neither here nor there. I’ll never pursue someone like Stace.

According to my mother, I ruined my life the minute I quit ballet in college and destroyed her dreams of having a professional dancer in the family. My steady bartending job, friends, and fanfic hobby weren’t good enough apparently. Not that I cared what she thought anymore. Mostly. Things had been pretty conflict-free up until my new neighbor showed up and threw everything into chaos.

I’m so close to everything I’ve ever wanted, including getting my graduate degree in reading education, when a series of unfortunate financial events hits me like a ton of bricks. I need a job and I need one NOW or else I’m in big trouble. This was not in my plan and I’m crossing every appendage I have that I can find something that fits with my class schedule, will pay enough, and won’t destroy my soul. A very tall order.

I don’t trust people, and for good reason. My parents kicked me out the second I turned eighteen, and my friends from high school or college all lost touch. No matter how close we get, how much they claim they love me, they always abandon me. The only person I can rely on is me, which is why I’ve built my own business from the ground up making bookish merch and accessories. So far, I’m hitting or exceeding all my goals and that’s all I need.

I’m over men. Officially. I gave Connor St. Clair EVERYTHING (you know what I mean) and he ended up “accidentally” in bed with a girl he picked up at the local bar. Now I’m single and ready to burn the world down, starting with his beloved truck. That’s when James St. Clair (Connor’s sister and my former middle school nemesis that I haven’t seen in years) appears in my Pilates class. Because my life isn’t bad enough already.

Holiday: If there’s one thing I can count on, it’s my family to be all in my business. No matter how many times I explain boundaries and privacy, they’re just not getting the memo, especially when it comes to my relationships. For years they’ve been asking me why I don’t date my best friend and roommate, Daniella. No matter how many times I say the words “we’re friends,” they’re not getting it.