Chapter 13 - THE WAITRESS WHO FOUND HER OWN FUTURE
A year after the gala, I enrolled in college again.
Part-time.
Evening classes.
Nonprofit management and social services.
I was terrified.
Not of the coursework.
Of failing.
Of spending money I couldn't afford.
Of discovering that the future I'd imagined was beyond my reach.
Toby laughed when I told him.
“Sophie, you practically raised me while working double shifts.”
I frowned.
“So?”
“So if you can survive me, you can survive college.”
I threw a dish towel at him.
My new position at the foundation allowed me to keep working while studying.
I applied for financial aid and scholarships.
Lorenzo offered encouragement.
He also learned that when I said I wanted to handle something myself, I meant it.
One evening, I found him waiting outside my classroom.
He held two coffees.
I stared.
“What are you doing here?”
He smiled.
“Picking up my girlfriend.”
I laughed.
“You look ridiculous.”
He glanced at his tailored coat.
“I'm devastated.”
We walked toward the parking garage.
I told him about an assignment I'd struggled with.
He listened.
Then asked questions.
Good questions.
The kind that made me realize he respected my mind.
At the car, he stopped.
“Sophie.”
I turned.
“Yes?”
“Are you happy with us?”
My heart pounded.
I considered.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“Good.”
I narrowed my eyes.
“Why?”
He looked nervous.
“Because I've been thinking about the future.”
I stared.
“Lorenzo.”
He raised a hand.
“Not a proposal.”
I laughed.
“Okay.”
“Not yet.”
My heart skipped.
He smiled.
“But someday, if you want it, I'd like to build a life with you.”
I looked at him.
Then whispered:
“I think I'd like that.”
May you like
He kissed me.
And for the first time, I wasn't afraid that loving someone powerful meant losing myself.
