A

e could barely afford basic necessities, and my dream of going to school felt like a distant l

ay. I'll stay with him at

rom work and you must be exhausted" my mom

de because I know he would do the same for

," she said her hand on my face. "Your food is on

ot see you before I go to work in the morning but

ng down some food, I went to take the longest shower of my life, thinking about how unfair our lives had bec

dragged myself out, I tugged on my most worn t-shirt and collapsed onto my tiny bed, unable to sleep.

t one more sleep, please?" I pleaded to the empty room. "My happy ending is so close..." But the incessant beeping per

tried to muster some optimism.

her day of starting on an empty stomach. "Hard times don't last forever. It

rs, cheeks flushed from hurrying across t

r. Thompson's gruff bellow ech

I'm so

get your apron on. People are waiting." He jerked his t

d compose myself. But when I reemerged from the break room, I immediately noticed my coworkers huddled t

seated alone, looking like he'd just stepped out of a magazine. His effortless style, those chiselled f

very aware of their obvious staring, tracking my every move. "Good m

g," he replied with ease, his tone casual and friendly. "I will take a double shot of espresso in a latte, steami

er the weight of his stare. Get it together, Sophie. "Sur

der, placing it carefully on th

ted question brought me to a hal

ite smile, trying not to get fluster

ng a seat for a moment?" His

es..." I hedged, worry creeping in. I coul

do I need for yo

my worry evident. "I do

ot," he assured me smoothly. "I'm happ

ater, he returned, favouring me with that knee-weakening smile. "You can join me now. I

ing uncertain.

asy grin. "And I won't take up too much of yo

"Okay, thanks," I finally agreed,

warm eyes roamed over my face in a way tha

y attention from how flustered he was mak

ompletely unexpect

a lung right there at the table. He looked momentarily alarmed before gr

rst time," I wheezed out. "

seeing you?" he countered, a mysterious s

owed. "What

. "I felt it was about time I properly introduced myself and asked fo

ou should have to work a little harder than that for my number," I tr

s you'd better get used to seeing me around here more ofte

h no, please don't make me regret this! This is already bordering on a

railed off, holding ou

grasp, quickly typing in my number before handing it back, sto

red, a warm smile playing ov

cted automatically, me

g remark, he leaned back from the table and casually exite

ocess the recent exchange. Gradually regaining composure, I glanced aro