Love Beyond Fortune

r fingers tightened around the rag she used to wipe down the espresso machine, her mind preoccupied with the pile of

ng their caffeine fix before rushing off to their high-powered jobs. For the

cchiato!" called Mia, her best fri

pouring the first shot of espresso. Her movements were automatic, yea

storia paid in cash, she'd used most of it to buy art supplies. It had been an indulgence, bu

sharply, glancing at the growi

Lila snapped, placing the co

sh further. She knew Lila well en

the. She sank into the worn stool behind the counter, her feet throbb

ked, sliding a cup

weak smile. "

rls bouncing as she tilted her head. "You'v

nt's due, my student loans won't stop haunting me, and I need n

winced. "Th

le shifts here, picking up random catering jobs when

g Samantha for help? She's always said you

people who believed in her art, but asking for help felt like ad

2-hour shifts just to keep the lights on. I

ly. "Thanks for the

razy talented, but no one's going to see th

n rippling on its surface. She wanted to a

aling a new customer. Lila stood up

said, but her voice faltered w

and confident demeanor out of place in the cozy café. He

pered, nudging Lila. "

art racing. She hadn't expected to see

xpression calm but focused. "Lila,

ter tighter. "Mr. Hayes. What b

wallet from his pocket. "I came for a cup

when do billionaires get the

eplied easily. "Bla

eady to explode from curiosity. "I'll get it,"

against the counter, his ga

t," Lila replied w

many hours," he said, hi

nt of him and met his

d something of yours," he said, pulling her sketchbo

sketchbook and clutched it to her chest,

steady. "You're talented, Lila. Mo

lnerability of knowing he'd seen her work. "It's just

replied. "You see the worl

d, but a customer behind Alex c

to work," she said,

didn't move. "We

he café, leaving Lil

Mia asked, practically

honestly, her fingers tigh

walked through, a small part of her wo