Chapter 31
Vanessa
Lorenzo
I stare at my phone with a mixture of excitement and confusion.
It’s Friday, and when Lorenzo was leaving for work this morning, we mentioned watching a movie tonight and ordering in sushi to keep it simple since we were both still exhausted from Leo’s birthday party last weekend.
You’d think a simple kid’s birthday at the house would be easy enough.
But add in the decorations, the cake, getting enough food for everyone, and planning the kids games, and the one-day affair felt like we had been planning a monthlong vacation.
But all of it was worth it to see the smile on Leo’s face when everyone showed up and spoiled him. He played in the pool with his cousins, ate lots of food and cake, and squealed in delight when we helped him open each present.
Unfortunately, in the middle of the party, I had to excuse myself to register for school because the classes I needed fill up quickly, and with it being my last semester, I needed to make sure I got the ones required for me to graduate on time.
As I selected the classes and jotted down the days and times—because I have to be there in person—realization hit that while we’d been pretending like life was normal, in a few weeks, everything was going to change.
And as my finger hovered over my mouse to pick my classes, I considered putting it off, lying to Lorenzo and saying that I couldn’t get the classes I needed and that I would figure it out next semester.
But the thought of not graduating on time after everything I’d worked for made me confirm my classes.
Because as much as I love Lorenzo, I refuse to put a man above my dreams and future.
Lorenzo
And maybe add in one of those sexy lingerie pieces you were working on the other day.
I choke out a watery laugh at his text as what he’s doing hits me.
With Christmas coming up, he’s taking me away before I leave.
And the thought makes me both smile and tear up because if I were at a different point in my life, Lorenzo would no doubt be the man of my dreams. But right now, the only dream I can afford to have involves me graduating from college and getting a job in the fashion industry.
Vanessa
I’ll see what I can do.
I spend the rest of the morning playing with Leo, and when he naps, I pack my carry-on luggage, noting the irony in the fact that the last time I used this luggage, it was to go to the Bahamas to escape getting trafficked, which led to marrying Lorenzo, and now I’m packing it to spend a night away with my husband.
My husband …
We haven’t broached the subject of getting an annulment. I know it’s what needs to be done, but the thought of doing so makes what we have feel less real … even if the marriage was only out of convenience.
Once I’m done packing, I take a shower and get dressed in a nice pair of linen navy-blue pants and a simple white top, pairing them with cute white sandals—stylish but simple since I don’t know what we’re doing tonight.
As I’m double-checking everything I packed, my phone rings with a call from Kora, the designer I used to intern with.
“Hey, Kora! How are you?”
Even though I was forced to step away and she had to hire a new intern, she was understanding, and I left on good terms.
“Vanessa, please tell me you’ll be back after the holidays. I’ve gone through five interns, and nobody is as efficient and knowledgeable as you.”
I bite back a laugh at the desperation in her tone, and my heart swells at the compliment.
“Actually,” I say, “I will be back. My … family emergency has been taken care of, and I’ll be moving back to Seattle after Christmas.”
“Oh, thank God! After dealing with these bumbling idiots, I’ve made an executive decision. I’m putting you on payroll. That way, you can work more hours, and you won’t have to work at that bar anymore.”
I wasn’t planning to work at the bar since I’d been making a good living from my online boutique, but I don’t tell her that because, hello, she’s going to pay me.
And then it hits me …
“I only have one stipulation.”
“Name it.”
“I need to ensure there’s no noncompete clause. I’ve opened a little boutique online to sell the clothes I make and—”
“Oh, I’ve seen it, and your clothes are gorgeous.
I wanted to speak to you about your plans for after you graduate.
I won’t put in a noncompete clause, but I would like to schedule a business meeting with you to see about partnering.
Your clothes are the ideal mix of edgy and classy, and I think they would be perfect for a collab.
I’m heading to LA right after Christmas, and I was thinking you could go with me. ”
Oh my God. Holy shit. It takes everything in me not to scream and cry. But I hold it together, not wanting to sound silly. Her LA office is where all the deals are made.
Once I somewhat have control of my emotions, I say, “I would love that.”
“Perfect. Have a good Christmas, and I’ll see you soon.”
We hang up, and I stare at my phone for several minutes, half convinced I just dreamed that entire conversation.
When Leo wakes up, I get his diaper changed and put a fresh outfit on him, torn about leaving him. On one hand, I’m looking forward to a weekend with Lorenzo, but on the other hand, I only have a couple of weeks left with my little monkey.
Dani shows up a little after four o’clock and is dressed in business attire.
“Are you back at work?” I ask since Lorenzo didn’t mention anything.
“Part-time.” She lifts Leo up and gives him kisses on his cheek.
“I know I’ll end up taking more time off once this little one comes”—her hand slides down to her lower belly—“but with Alba being older now, I wanted to go back to work. I’m going in three days a week for a few hours to see how it goes.
But”—she sighs—“I was only away from her for four hours today, and I missed her like crazy.”
“Why don’t you work from home? Lorenzo does it all the time.”
“That’s because he knows the company backward and forward.
He could probably run it from a remote island and still do what he needs to do.
But between my ex coming after me and forcing me to stay hidden for months, then me getting pregnant, having Alba, and going on maternity leave, I’ve barely gotten my feet wet.
I walked through the break room to get a coffee, and someone asked me if I was lost.” She winces. “I had to tell her I was the VP.”
I bark out a laugh, then cover my mouth. “Sorry, I can just imagine her embarrassment.”
“It leveled mine.”
“You’ll get there, and you have months until this baby is due.”
“Yeah … it’s just … can I tell you something and you not tell my brother?”
“Of course,” I exclaim. “I would never repeat anything you tell me.”
She nods and has a seat with Leo in her lap. Spotting his toys, he climbs off her lap and drops onto the floor to play.
“For as far back as I can remember, all I’ve wanted was to work at Russo,” she says.
“I watched my dad and brother bond over the business while I was off at boarding school and then college, and my only goal was to graduate so I could move home and work with them. But then I fell in love with Matteo and became a mom and wife, and my priorities shifted.”
Tears prick her eyes, and I move closer to comfort her.
“Sorry,” she chokes out. “Between the pregnancy and leaving Alba, my emotions are all over the place.” She sniffles back a sob. “Our dad left me forty-nine percent of the company because I’d told him I wanted to work for Russo, and I did …”
“And now?” I prompt, having a feeling I know where this is going.
“And now, I still do. But I also want to be a mom and a wife. Peyton went back to work, and she loves it, and Bri swears she’ll be back to work the second she’s cleared, but I …
” She shrugs. “I feel like I have to choose between my career and my family, and as much as I love Russo, I love my family more.”
“I’m not a mom,” I say, glancing at Leo and then back at Dani. “But I had a mom who wanted nothing to do with me. On top of her working the hours she needed to pay the bills, she would go out trolling for men, trying to meet her Prince Charming, and all I wanted was for her to spend time with me.
“Many women have to work, and for those who want to work, that’s okay.
Peyton’s babies are older, and Bri hasn’t had to leave her baby yet.
But if you want to stay home with your babies, then that’s okay too.
Because you can do that. Not everyone has that luxury.
And …” I glance up and spot Lorenzo standing in the doorway.
He must’ve come in through the back door, and from the look on his face, he’s been listening.
“And … I have no doubt that Lorenzo will more than understand your want and need to be home with your babies. Life is too short to not do what makes you happy. If your dreams include staying home with your babies, then that’s what you should do.”
“And I will more than understand,” Lorenzo says, making his presence known.
“Oh God!” Dani shrieks. “You knew he was there?”
“Not until she told you that I would understand,” Lorenzo tells her. “And she’s correct. That forty-nine percent is yours whether you work for Russo or not.”
Leo waddles over to Lorenzo, and he picks up his son, gives him a kiss on his forehead, and then looks at Dani.
“If, one day, you decide you want to work for Russo, there will always be a position for you. But if you decide it’s not for you, that’s okay. We’ve lost too many people in our lives. We have been through too much to not do what makes us happy.”
“Thank you,” Dani says, standing and hugging her brother.
Leo gets squished in their hug and squeals, making everyone laugh.
“And thank you,” she says to me, hugging me.
“For what? Listening?” I scoff, waving her off.
“For not judging and making me feel like it’s okay to do what will make me happy.” Dani smiles a watery smile. “I’m going to miss you. Promise you’ll visit often?”
She hugs me again, and as I hug her back, emotion clogs my throat, preventing me from saying anything back.
Even though the words I spoke were meant for her, I can’t help but wonder if they were also meant for me—because my dreams …
they used to be clear as day, and now, they’re starting to look a little different.