Uncaged (An MMA Stepbrother Romance) (26 page)

I swallow. “I can handle it.”

She considers me for a moment, but then smiles. “Okay, then,” she says. “Seven-thirty tomorrow morning. Here’s a key, open up the shutters, and let yourself in. There’s no alarm.” She waves her hand. “Nothing to steal, and I’d rather not pay the fee. Once you’re in here, I want you to walk around, get a feel for the table, the chair, everything. Otherwise, simply amuse yourself
without
touching anything, and wait for me to arrive. Understood, Penelope?”

“Yes!” I say, taking the set of keys. Despite Tina’s somewhat harsh tone, I’m over the moon. If I wasn’t so hung-over, I’d be bouncing on my toes right now.

When I get outside, I try to shake the trembling out of my hands, and I bite on my finger so as not to scream.

I can’t believe I’m going to be apprenticing for my favorite artist!

Everything is just going so perfectly so far.

I just took the first step toward my dream career. How many people can honestly say that?

Chapter Twelve