Since Gunner didn’t show up at work, things have been pretty hectic at the office. Conference meetings have been canceled. Shareholders have been asking me if and when Gunner is coming back to work. Then I had to send over finance notes to Mason. I don’t want to say this out loud, but I missed Gunner. It’s been quiet and lonely, especially at home. I didn’t finish the second season of The Office because Izzy is not into comedies, so it’s hard to discuss shows and movies with her. Cheesy romance and reality shows are more her jam.

Her eyes are closed, and her head rests on a white pillow. She looks like an enchanted princess with her inky, straight hair and tan skin that looks like the sun kissed her a million times, and she’s tall as a tree. She arrived two days ago from Johannesburg, will be staying here for another three days, then she’s off to her next photoshoot.

“I have something to tell you.” Excitement bleeds through her words.

“Spring it on me.” I wiggle around like chains are wrapped around my body. The mud is choking the life out of me. When Izzy sits up, her chocolate eyes meet mine, her thin lips turn up, and she smiles as if she won the lottery.

“I snagged a gig with Naked Magazine posing for the December issue.” Her words are laced with so much passion it can start fireworks.

Naked Magazine is one of the top international lingerie magazines competing with Victoria’s Secret and Adore Me. She’s been wanting to snag a job with them for seven years now.

“That’s awesome. Are you going to take it?”

“Hell yeah!” Happiness slices through her baby doll face. “My parents are pissed off. Ever since they’ve come to terms that modeling is my career, they love to throw it in my face how much money they wasted on a computer engineering degree, and how they want every penny back.” She blows out a loud breath. “I’m sick of their crap. I thank them every day for the degree, but it isn’t enough. And since Alice graduated with her medical degree, they brag about how proud of her they are, like she didn’t get busted for shoplifting last year and Dad didn’t have to bail her out of jail.” Her face morphs from sorrow to anger. “I’m sorry to unload on you, but I needed to get that off my chest.” She rests her head back on the pillow, gazing at the ceiling.

Izzy is always seeking her parents’ approval. No matter what she does they always compare her to Alice, her twin sister. They always belittle her and make her feel like the scum of the earth. Pee on toilet seats gets better treatment than Izzy.