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POV: Ivy Carter

“You sure that’s all you want?” Brian Jay asked, his thumb brushing my cheek like we’d known each other for years instead of existing on opposite sides of a screen.

I laughed softly, unable to stop myself. “Well… an autograph would be great. But I wouldn’t say no to dinner either.”

He grinned, slow and wicked. “I was thinking more like dessert.”

Oh.

I forgot how to breathe.

The city lights glimmered behind him, but all I saw were those ocean-blue eyes and that annoyingly perfect smirk. His fingers trailed lightly down my arm. I leaned in......

“Mrrreeeow!”

I felt a fluffy,hairy ball on my chest. I jolted, nearly rolling off the bed.

A heavy paw landed on my face, followed by an annoyed tail swipe across my nose.

“Neez,” I groaned, pushing the fat orange ball of fluff off my chest. “Seriously?”

The cat ignored me and promptly began licking her paw like she hadn’t just ruined the most perfect, steamy moment of my entire life.

“What do you mean that I can't go back to finish my kiss with Brian" I shouted at Neez who just turned its back on me.

I rubbed my eyes, heart still racing like I’d actually been face-to-face with Brian Jay. The room was warm, my sheets tangled, and the faint scent of lavender from my mother’s oil diffuser drifted through the cracked door.

I glanced at the wall clock. Then did a double take.

6:43 a.m.

“Jeeeez!” I threw the covers off and stumbled to my feet. “I’m gonna be late!”

My shift at Blake Heights Hotel started at seven sharp. And showing up late was a one-way ticket to being fired,especially from a hotel that acted like it was too good for actual human employees.

I scrambled to pull on my uniform, jamming one leg into my black slacks while brushing my teeth at the same time.

“Neez,” I said, mouth full of foam, “do you know who checked into the penthouse yesterday?”

The cat blinked at me.

“Brian freaking Jay. THE Brian Jay. As in, the man I just made out with in my dream.”

She yawned.

I pointed at her with my toothbrush. “Laugh all you want, but today’s the day. I just need, like… ten seconds near the VIP floor. One signature. That’s all. Just one.”

I spat, rinsed, and pulled my hair into a bun that would probably collapse by noon.

“But I swear,” I muttered, grabbing my name tag, “if I don’t get that autograph today, I’m changing my celebrity crush to someone more available. Like… the Pope.”

“Ivy! That cat better not be in the sink again!”

My mom’s voice echoed from the kitchen. I winced. I didn’t even have time to lie properly.

“Nope, she’s a good girl today!” I yelled back, dragging my pants up with one hand and grabbing my badge with the other.

“Tell your father good morning!”

“Love you too!”

I dashed out before I could hear the rest.

By the time I reached Blake Heights Hotel, I was already sweating through my uniform.

The lobby smelled like money! money!! money!!!. I barely waved at the receptionist as I speed-walked through the staff hallway, dodging trays, carts, and Mrs. Bennett’s judging eyes at the housekeeping board.

“Carter,” a deep voice barked.

I skidded to a stop. Crap.

The hotel manager, Mr. Victor Cole, looked at me like I had personally offended his ancestors.

I won't lie, I'd have given my subordinate the same look if I was in his position.

“You’re ten minutes late.”

“I know, I’m sorry,traffic and....”

“Room 703. Lunch service. Now.”

I blinked. “But I haven’t....”

He was already walking off.

Turning back,I just mimicked him

I exhaled and headed to the staff kitchen, still shaken but low-key grateful I didn’t get suspended. Not that I could afford it.

Inside the delivery queue, I checked the room list. Just for curiosity. And maybe a teeny-tiny bit of stalking.

Room 708 — Brian Jay.

My heart did a somersault.

Five doors away. That’s all. Five rooms between me and my literal dream man.

I grabbed the silver lunch tray for 703, balancing it carefully as I entered the gold-trimmed private elevator.

As the elevator hummed toward the top floor, I ran over what I’d say.

“Hi, Mr. Jay,huge fan.”

No. Too desperate.

“You were amazing in Sunset Lasts Forever. Mind if I get an autograph?”

Ugh, he probably hears that ten times a day.

“Hey, Brian. I'm Ivy. And I think you’re the reason my dating standards are ruined.”

I snorted to myself. Yeah, no. I’d probably faint before I could form a coherent sentence.

What if he was still in? What if I just… happened to knock after I was done?

“Not stalking,” I muttered under my breath. “Just… being in the general area.”

Room 703 was quiet. I knocked twice, and a man in his late fifties opened the door with a grunt. I did my whole rehearsed “lunch delivery, sir, enjoy your meal, have a great day” routine and left.

Now came the moment of truth.

I glanced around the quiet hallway. No cameras that I could see. No staff nearby. My palms were sweating.

I took three slow steps toward Room 708.

Another three.

The hallway hummed with luxury and silence. My heart beat louder than my footsteps.

Almost there.

I reached out. My knuckles barely touched the door

Was that a sound behind me?

My ears buzzed. My stomach flipped. I turned to....

GBAM!

Everything went black.