the enthusiasm sparking in the green depths of his eyes. “It’s just an interview, Leah. Go for it.”
There were a thousand protests on my tongue, but I didn’t voice any of them. Instead, I found my gaze darting from emerald green to electric blue, both colors filled with confidence and encouragement, and then I nodded.
Because why not? Why couldn’t I, Leah James, filter-less wannabe romance writer, be the face of an international perfume campaign? In the eyes of my brother and his best friend, there didn’t seem to be any reason not to do it.
I wasn’t afraid and I’d never liked backing down from a challenge, so I’d do it. I’d go to the interview. There was no way I’d get the job anyway, and if I did, then I supposed I’d have to learn how to smile for the camera pretty darn fast.
It couldn’t be that hard. Could it?
Chapter 4
DANE
Leah and Rick were waiting for me at the restaurant the next morning. The expo event where a hundred or more women would be trying out for the role of America’s Sweetheart was in Austin, and I’d offered to take Leah and Rick with me.
Rick was focused on his sister when John and I pulled up, his head bent as he spoke to her with his hands jammed into the pockets of his jeans. It was springtime, but the mornings were still chilly.
Leah saw the car pulling up first, nodding at whatever Rick was saying before she flicked a finger in our direction. His shoulders rose and fell on sigh, but he gave a curt nod and motioned for her to precede him.
She walked toward the car wearing a pair of jeans, a black shirt, and white sneakers. Her hair was down today, cascading down her back with a single braid wound around the front of her head. While she still wasn’t wearing a ton of makeup, black lines framed her eyes and her lashes looked almost impossibly long. Her lips shone with a pale pink gloss, but that was the only makeup she had on, despite knowing what she would be facing today.
I liked that she hadn’t painted her face beyond recognition. I also liked that she was wearing regular clothes instead of having gotten all dressed up. Jefferson couldn’t have known what she would choose to look like when she showed up today, but somehow, he must’ve known she wouldn’t try to turn herself into an amateur model or doll. The man’s instincts were uncanny.
Both Leah and Rick had overnight bags hooked over their shoulders. I’d told them the company had gotten us each our own room, but I hadn’t told them we’d be staying at the venue where the expo event would be held. In suites. I could hardly wait to see the looks on their faces.
“Hey,” Rick said, flashing me a smile when he opened the door. “Thanks for picking us up. We could’ve gotten there by ourselves, though.”
“It’s not a problem,” I said, watching Leah sliding into the backseat with me before scooting over to make space for Rick. “It gives us a chance to talk on the way.”
The door shut behind Rick after he’d put their bags in the back, and he shifted in his seat to face me, looking across Leah to meet my gaze. His green eyes were serious, intent on mine as he settled back against the side of the car after buckling up.
“What’s your boss like?” he asked. “Leah still thinks this is some kind of prank and I’m not sure either. I mean, it is a bit strange that he walked into a restaurant and asked a waitress to audition.”
I chuckled, dipping my head in acknowledgment. “It’s weird for most people but not for him. Jefferson knows what he wants, and when he sees it, he goes after it. Leah won him over with her sweet charm and her smile, and now he wants her for this campaign.”
Rick snorted and gave Leah a look before bringing his gaze back to mine. “The charm and the smile were paid for. Unless he’s looking for the queen of sass, he might be barking up the wrong tree with her.”
“Her is sitting right here,” Leah interjected. “Let’s say by some miracle that he still wants me for this job after today. What’s it like to work for Mr. Killen? Is it worth it?”
“It’s worth it,” I said confidently. “He can be prickly at first, but once you get to know him, he’s