Page 88 of She’ll Steal Your Heart
“Um.” Lauren blinked at her out of watery eyes.
“You heard me,” Mia whispered. “And you don’t have to say it back if it’s too soon.”
“On the contrary.” Lauren’s voice wavered slightly. “I had been looking for the right moment to tell you that I love you too.”
Mia felt her whole body flush hot, joy flowing through her veins, and then unexpected tears were spilling over her cheeks. Mia wasnota crier, but if there were ever a moment…
“This is a first,” Lauren said as she wiped away her tears.
“What? Me crying?” Mia rolled her eyes playfully. “Believe it or not, it’s happened before.”
“No… Me falling in love,” Lauren told her quietly, and the truth of her admission was written all over her face.
“Oh.” Mia reached out to cup her cheek, almost overwhelmed by the emotions swirling inside her, all good ones, love and affection and gratitude that they’d found each other. “I never imagined that this was going to happen. For the longest time, I thought we were just friends. And somewhere in there, you snuck in and stole my heart.”
“You’ve had mine almost from the moment we met.”
“I’ll be careful with it.” Mia pressed her palm over Lauren’s heart, because she knew this was a big deal for her. She’d been through so much, and Mia would happily spend the rest of her life making sure Lauren knew how much she loved her.
“Thanks,” Lauren whispered with tear-filled eyes. “I know it’s in good hands.”
“I have something to tell you,” Mia murmured, and then her heart was pounding for an entirely different reason.
“Yeah?”
“I rented the empty office next door.”
“What?” Lauren’s voice rose. “The law office?”
Mia nodded. “The building is leased by a group of lawyers who all practice independently, but they share a space to save on rental costs, and they have an empty office to fill, so I rented it. You were right. I need to practice law again, but not the way I was before. I’m not going to be part of a firm this time, chasing partnership and working twelve-plus hours a day. This will be just me, taking on the clients I believe in. Maybe I can channel my inner Samantha Whitaker and represent women who need someone to fight for them.”
“Mia, that’s beautiful,” Lauren said. “Look how Sam has inspired us both, me as an author and you as a lawyer.”
“Poetic, isn’t it?”
Lauren nodded. “But what will happen to the café?”
“I’ll hire a full-time manager, someone to run the café for me when I’m not there. In fact, I’d like it to be you.”
Lauren blinked at her in surprise. “Me?”
“You love it more than I do,” Mia said. “I noticed that over the last few months. It fulfills you in a way it doesn’t for me. I’ll still check in, and I might even work a few shifts, but I can’t think of anyone more perfect to run the café than you.”
“Wow,” Lauren said. “Um…I don’t know what to say.”
“Do you want it? Because please tell me if you don’t, and I’ll hire someone else.”
“I do.” Fresh tears spilled over Lauren’s cheeks. “I really do. You’re right about how much I love it there. I love interacting with the cats and the customers and being involved with the rescue. Everything about it is perfect for me. But wait… What about Jordy? They’re your assistant manager. Wouldn’t they want this job?”
“Jordy is content as assistant manager while they attend college in the evenings. They’re going to be a nurse.”
“Oh.” A smile bloomed on Lauren’s face. “They’ll be an awesome nurse.”
“Yes, they will. If I make you the full-time manager, the day-to-day decisions and operation of the café would fall to you. I’d be more like a silent partner, not your boss. And you’d have a steady income and all the benefits you don’t have now.”
“Honestly, it sounds like my dream job.”
“Might cut into your writing time,” Mia warned.
