I hated her.

Not really.

But I wished I did.

Riley, to my absolute dismay, was having the time of her life watching this unfold. “Oh, I like you,” she told Beverly.

Beverly flicked her eyes toward her, her weight shifting just slightly—so subtle I almost missed it. Almost. That tiny shift in her stance told me everything I needed to know. She was staking her claim without even realizing it. “Oh, do you?” she asked.

“Yeah,” Riley said. “You’re chaotic.”

“Don’t encourage her,” I warned.

Riley shrugged. “Why not? This is fun.”

I gave her a look of pure betrayal.

Beverly grinned, and for a second, I considered quitting my job. Just ripping my name tag off, throwing it at Greg, and walking out the door, never to return.

Because this was my life now.

Beverly invading my job. Beverly inserting herself into every available space. Beverly making sure I had absolutely no peace, ever. And worst of all? I didn’t even want her to leave.

I swallowed hard, forcing my thoughts into submission. “Where’s Greg?” I asked Riley, my voice tight.

She shrugged.

Beverly grinned. “The manager? He said I can start tonight.”

I scowled. “He didn’t even call me.”

Beverly tapped a finger against her chin, feigning deep thought. “Hmm, weird,” she murmured. “Almost like this isn’t about you.”

I stared at her. She stared back.

Then, before I could snap, Greg himself walked out from the office in the back. “McHayes,” he called out. “I see you met the new hire.” He clapped me on the back. “Your sister’s got spunk,” he added, like this was a good thing.

I blinked.

Then I turned back to Beverly. She waved.

My eye twitched.

Greg patted my shoulder. “You’re training her.”

Beverly beamed.

I fainted.

Not in the dramatic, cinematic way where everything goes black, and I collapse to the floor in slow motion. No, that would’ve been merciful. Instead, I stood there, eyes open, completely dissociating while my soul temporarily left my body.

“Blake?” Beverly’s voice cut through the fog.

I blinked once. Then twice. Then, finally, I remembered how to breathe.

Greg was still talking, still patting my shoulder, still ruining my life. “You good, McHayes?”

No. No, I was not good. But instead of saying that, I muttered, “Yeah,” my voice sounding far away.

Riley, the absolute menace, was barely containing her amusement. I could see her holding in laughter like it was physically painful. Beverly, however, had no such restraint.

She beamed up at Greg, rocking slightly on her heels like she was just so happy to be here. “I’m so excited to learn from Blake,” she quipped, her voice dripping with the kind of sweetness that made my stomach churn.

Greg, the fool, actually looked pleased. “That’s the spirit, Price. And if you need anything, your brother is the best guy for the job.”