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Jalaal’s lips found the top ofwarm breath over my scalp “I need soood job of rerateful”

I snorted “If you want help staying humble, that is a service I’d be happy to provide”

“Co rooot some bourbon you can make me appreciate”

“I like the sound of that”

The living rooht-years away from my version of normal It was massive I could probably have fit my whole apartment inside the space

“Do you own the whole top floor of the building or solass and ceramic accents and the wall-sized bookshelf on the back wall

Jalaal brought over a glass of dark liquid and slipped it into my hand “Sort of”

“Sort of?”

I followed him to the couch and took a seat next to hiether when there was some closer and closer to him with every breath

Jalaal glanced down at me, took a sip of his drink, and then spoke “I own the whole building”

I nearly dropped lass

“Are you serious?”

He nodded “This, and a few properties along the West Coast”

It was a good month if my bank account never dropped below zero The kind oflike this was beyond nition

“Sounds like you need a lot of huone dry I took a sip of bourbon and struggled not to cough

Jalaal flashed his teeth “Are you sure you’re up for the job?”

“Not even a little,” I said “But I’ll give it the ol’ college try”