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There are plenty of big hitters searching for million-dollar homes and those commissions would quickly unbury me, but I’ll have to sweet talk the admin for some help.

Getting up, I smooth my blouse and head to Addison’s desk. She glances at me as I head over, eyebrows lifting, probably wondering if I’m about to make her life harder. A lot of people don’t realize that administrative assistants hold all the power. They can make or break you. A good rule of thumb? Don’t fuck with the admin.

“Hey, Addison.” My voice is bright and cheery, so at odds with my inner turmoil.

“Hi, Lily. What’s up?”

Wringing my hands, I stop beside her desk and glance around, hoping no one witnesses my begging. “I, uh, I could really use a lead. Something big.”

She pauses, gaze slipping to the side before dashing back to meet mine. I can see her rejection before she even opens her mouth to tell me she can’t help.

“Please, Addison.” I swallow hard. “I need the money. Like really, really need it.” I’ll drop to my knees and beg her if I have to.

But pity washes over her features. “Your mom?”

I nod. “It’s expensive. I’m not asking for a ton of leads, just one. One big one, if you can. Or a couple small ones.”

Sighing, she looks at her monitor again. Her voice is low when she speaks. “I have a guy asking about vacation homes. He’s a big hitter. I was going to give it to Laura, but⁠—”

“I’ll do anything. Anything you want,” I say quickly, totally desperate, but I can’t even be ashamed when I’m this hard up.

Addison tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’ll send you the job if you help me with something.”

“Name it.”

She leans closer. “My grandma passed away and I need help cleaning her house.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that. Do you want me to get you on the schedule?” I can probably sweet talk the manager at my other job into putting her ahead of someone else.

Making a face, Addison shakes her head. “No. I want you to help me out of the goodness of your heart.”

She wants me to do it for free? My insides twist. I don’t like this. Not one bit. I should say no, find another way to get a lead.

“He’s in the millions,” she says, changing my mind in an instant.

“Okay, yeah, I’ll help you out if you send the lead.”

She smirks and clicks a button. “Done. The lead is in your inbox and I’ll text you the instructions for the lock box at my grandma’s.”

“Great, thank you so much.” I turn to leave but she stops me with her hand on my arm.

“I forgot to mention my grandma liked to keep things.”

Lines cut across my forehead. “Was she a hoarder?”

“Kind of. Either way, Ryan is putting it up for sale in two weeks, and I need it cleaned out by then. All of it. There’s a dumpster in the driveway and a hazmat suit in the garage.”

Fuck. I should have known it wouldn’t be some simple cleaning job, but it’s a small price to pay for the lead. “No problem,” I lie, hoping she’ll send me some more work if I do her this favor.

She nods and turns back to her computer. I return to mine, dread settling on my shoulders like a lead blanket. The next few weeks are going to suck. I’m already exhausted. I don’t have a home and I’m not entirely sure the guys will let me stay much longer, which means I’ll be out on my ass soon enough.

That makes me a little sad. It’s been four days since they let me crash at their place. The guys have been nothing but kind about letting me stay in their guest room. Hudson made pancakes this morning. Cole left my favorite coffee creamer in the fridge with a note that said For Red. Gage gave me fresh sheets even though I didn’t need them.

They’re so different from Matt. Considerate. I realize the bar is on the floor here, but it’s been nice.

Temporary, I remind myself.

They’re probably counting down the days for me to get my shit together. I open my email and start drafting messages for my new client, pushing down the voice in my head that’s whispering all the ways this could go wrong. The good news is, there’s no way things could get any worse.