Chapter 37
Vanessa
“And then sign right here.”
The attorney points to the last spot for me to sign, and I scribble my signature, then release a sigh of relief.
I can’t believe this is happening. I am partnering with Kora to release a drop featuring a dozen of my designs. Not only will I be making a shit ton of money, but this will put my name on the fashion map.
“Is that it?” I ask, setting my pen down.
“That’s it,” he says. “I’ll get these papers filed and email you a copy.”
“Thank you,” Kora says to the attorney.
She grabs a bottle of champagne and pops the top, then pours us each a glass. “To beautiful designs and partnerships.”
We clink glasses, and I take a small sip, the bubbles tickling my throat as I swallow it down, along with my emotions.
When I imagined something like this happening, all I envisioned was me standing on my own two feet, head raised in pride that I had done it. That I had busted my ass and made my dreams come true.
Only now, it feels like my vision is incomplete.
Because I don’t want to be alone.
I want Lorenzo by my side.
I want Leo in my arms.
What’s the point of any of this if I can’t share it with them?
“Vanessa, you good?” Kora asks.
“Yes, I’m good,” I choke out. “Thank you for taking a chance on me,” I say robotically, trying to keep my panic attack away.
“Oh, Vanessa, it’s my pleasure. You’re talented, and I would be stupid not to see that. If it wasn’t me, it would be someone else.”
I nod my thanks and then excuse myself, needing to grab my purse and take an antianxiety pill. Since the workday is over, I walk the five blocks home, needing some fresh air.
On my way, I call Lorenzo, wanting to share my news, but his phone goes straight to voicemail. I try once more, but when I get the robotic greeting, I hang up, disappointed that the one person I want to share my news with isn’t available.
As I’m walking in the door, my phone rings. Only it’s not Lorenzo. It’s Nicole.
“Hey! How’s it going in the rainy city?”
“It’s a beautiful day,” I say with a laugh. “I was able to walk home without getting rained on. And guess what.”
“What?”
“I signed a contract to partner with Kora.”
“Vanessa! That’s amazing,” Nicole says. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you,” I whisper as I glance around my apartment.
I signed the biggest contract of my life, yet it feels like nothing has changed.
All I wanted was to secure my future. To make my dreams come true, but now that everything is coming together, it all feels hollow. And I know why that is …
Because what’s the point of your dreams coming true if you can’t celebrate it with the person you love the most?
“Hey, are you okay?” Nicole asks when a sob breaks free.
“No, I don’t think I am,” I whisper. “I …” I glance around my apartment again, and it hits me that this isn’t my home anymore. There aren’t any toys on the floor. The smell of Lorenzo’s delicious food isn’t lingering in the air. Leo’s laughter is amiss. “I think I made a mistake.”
“What? Why?” she asks in confusion. “You had an attorney read the contract, right?”
I did. I still haven’t found one, so I used Lorenzo’s legal team, who assured me that everything was good. But that’s not the mistake I made.
For the first time in my life, I experienced what it was like to be part of a family, to live in a home, filled with love and laughter, and I threw it all away … for what? So I could claim my independence? Prove that I could stand on my own two feet?
“I need to go home.”
“Oh, where are you?” she asks.
“I’m at my apartment …”
“Vanessa, what’s going on?”
“I need to go home,” I repeat, “to Lorenzo and Leo.”
Nicole gasps. “But what about school?”
“I can figure it out.” I rush to my room to start packing a bag. “But this isn’t my home anymore.”
There’s a knock on my door.
“I’ll call you right back.” I hang up and rush to open the door—assuming it’s Destiny since she’s always forgetting her keys—so I can get back to packing and book a flight to Harbor Point.
Only, when I swing open the door, it’s not Destiny. Standing in the doorway is none other than …
“Mama!” Leo squeals, lifting his arms and diving into mine.
My eyes fill with tears as I catch Leo and pull him into my arms.
“Lorenzo,” I breathe out, “what are you doing here?”
“I hadn’t heard from you in a few days, so I figured I’d come check on you,” he says.
“What?” I shriek, feeling like shit for avoiding him. “I’m sorry. I’ve just been struggling and—”
My words are cut off by the feeling of his mouth pressing against mine. Instantly, my entire body relaxes as I sigh into the kiss. I knew I was missing him, but I didn’t fully grasp how badly until this moment. Because Lorenzo and Leo aren’t just people I love. They’ve become a part of me.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” I step into the apartment and immediately wish I had picked up. Since it’s a dorm through the school, it comes fully furnished, so there’s nothing I can do about that, but when I look around, seeing clothes and food littering the surfaces, I internally groan.
“Show me around,” Lorenzo says, taking in the small space.
“There isn’t really much to see,” I mutter. “This is the living room and kitchen. Destiny’s room is to the left.” I point to her closed door. “And this is my room.”
I step into the small space and cringe, our age difference glaringly obvious right now. While Lorenzo lives in a multimillion-dollar condo in the building he owns, I live in a college dorm.
“Going somewhere?” he asks.
“Huh?” My eyes follow his line of vision to my carry-on luggage. “Actually, I was going to see you.”
Lorenzo’s brows kiss his forehead. “In Harbor Point?”
“Unless you’ve moved somewhere else.” I laugh.
“Actually, we have,” he says, hooking his arm around my waist. “Leo and I have decided to move to Seattle.”
“What?” I gasp. “Why?”
He snorts out a laugh. “Because I love the rain,” he deadpans. “Because you’re here, Wild Card.” He leans in and gives me a chaste kiss. “Because, as my sister said, life is too short to be anything but happy. And I’m the happiest when I’m with you.”
Be still, my heart.
“You’re moving here?” I choke out, trying to wrap my head around the turn of events. “I was moving home to be with you.”
He glances at my luggage and then back at me. “What about school?” he asks, disappointment laced in his tone.
I shrug sheepishly.
“Vanessa, you can’t be serious. You have one semester left.”
“And I was going to graduate. Just not this semester.” I glance up at Lorenzo, blinking my tears away.
“I missed you guys so much. And today, when I signed the contract for the partnership with Kora, I should’ve been so happy.
My dreams were literally coming true. But all I could think about was how empty it felt without you by my side. ”
“You signed the contract?” Lorenzo asks. “Hell yeah, baby!” He wraps me up in a hug, and Leo squeals when he’s squished between us. “We need to celebrate.”
I start sobbing, and he frames my face.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’m just so happy you’re here. How long are you in town for?”
“That depends on you.”
“Me?” I squeak.
“Well, I’m assuming you’ll be here until you graduate. Then you’ll have to decide where you want to move to afterward. LA … New York …”
“Lorenzo,” I breathe, “you were serious about moving here? But what about your company?”
“The company that I own?” He quirks a brow. “Dani is going to help run things. And I have a competent staff.”
Oh my God, he’s serious.
“I booked a hotel room close by while I secure a rental. Any chance I can convince you to spend the night with us?”
I lean in and kiss Lorenzo’s lips, needing to touch him in some way.
“No convincing necessary.”
Of course, the hotel room he booked isn’t a room. It’s a massive suite with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, a full-sized kitchen, dining room, and living room, and a nice-sized terrace overlooking the city.
“They’re saying it’s going to be ninety minutes to have the food delivered,” Lorenzo says. “Or thirty if I go pick it up.”
“Welcome to Seattle. You sure you want to live here? It’s different from the small town of Harbor Point.”
“If it’s where you are, then it’s where I want to be.”
He kisses my temple and stands. “I’ll go get the food. And by the time we’re done eating, thanks to the time difference, Leo should be ready for bed.”
He waggles his brows suggestively, and my lady parts light up in excitement.
“I can’t believe you’re here!” I grip the front of his shirt and pull him toward me for a kiss. “Thank you,” I whisper against his lips.
“Never have to thank me.” He gives Leo a kiss on the top of his head. “I’ll be back.”