Love Beyond Fortune

The warm, faintly spiced aroma wafted up, soothing her nerves after another long day. Across fr

Mia said, break

ned. "Spi

g weird ever since he walked into the café the first time. And now y

e of the meeting herself. Talking to Mia might help, but she also k

l," Lila said finally, her t

our job, chats you up like you're old friends, and then schedules a p

tightening around the mug. "

her eyes widening. "

"He said he thinks I have potential and that I s

I mean, he's not wrong, but... wow

rt," Lila said, setting her mug down. "It all sounds grea

ting her head. "

Lila said, her voice tinged with frustration. "He's a billionai

on softening. "Maybe because he sees somet

's just bored. Maybe this is some

that?" Mia asked, her

et my hopes up. Every time I've tried to do something with

ented. You've been holding yourself back for so long because you're afraid of failing. But Lila, you can't

chest tightening. "What if I'm not

at least you'll know you tried. At least you won'

rds sinking in. She hated to

ulterior motive?" Lila aske

ia asked, rais

s up. "What if he expects something in retur

valid concern. But from what you've told

Lila a

ayes don't exactly have a reputation for being selfless. But you're not a stranger to h

ing Alex up on his offer was terrifying, but so was the idea of st

I can trust him,"

yourself, then. You'll fig

the evening wore on. But long after Mia had gone to bed, Lila sat

thought about everything Mia had said. Maybe s

tered Alex's number into her phone. She stared at th

It's Lila.

d second-guess herself, her

n a long time, she f