He glanced down at his hands. “You know, meeting you changed a lot for me. I didn’t realize just how much until you were gone.” He swallowed, as if the words were hard to say, but he kept going, his gaze meeting mine. “I thought I had everything figured out—business, life, the way I wanted to be seen. But when you showed me Bright Futures,when you spoke about the chance you wanted to give people, it got to me.”
My heart was pounding as I watched him, listening to every word. He went on, his voice low. “After you left, I couldn’t shake it. I decided to donate to Bright Futures in the way you would have wanted me to. Not because of some tax write-off or for the headlines, but because it was the right thing to do for all the kids who grew up like me. I forgot what it was like, and you made me see what I’d lost along the way.”
I blinked, tears welling up again. “Your mom told me about what you did for me by paying off my debt. She said that cost you the company, that your partners used it to force you out.”
Topher gave a short nod, a resigned look crossing his face. “They did. Apparently, they’d been looking for an excuse. Helping you was exactly what they needed to justify it. But honestly…” He paused, a small, almost relieved smile flickering across his face. “It was worth it. If that’s what it took to look at myself and see how far I’d strayed from the person I wanted to be. The company wasn’t worth holding onto.”
I shook my head in disbelief. “Topher, that’s yourcompany.That’s everything you built.”
“It was. But somewhere along the way, I stopped recognizing the person I’d become. I built it to help people and make something of myself, but I got so caught up in the game that I lost sight of what truly matters. Meeting you reminded me of who I used to be, what I used to care about. And I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t do something you would be proud of.”
I took a deep, steadying breath. “I’m happy for you.”
Topher’s gaze softened as he looked at me, his voice low and warm. “You look beautiful, of course. But how are things with you?”
“I’m really happy,” I said, the words tumbling out almost as if I had to remind myself it was true. “I wake up in the mornings, and I’m excited again. I didn’t even know how much I’d missed that feeling, the feeling that my life could actually go somewhere.” I shook my head, a smile breaking through. “I used to think everything was just survival. Like I was just trying to stay afloat. But now, I feel like I’m finally getting to live.”
Topher squeezed my hand gently, sending butterflies flitting through my belly. “I’m so glad. I can’t even tell you how good it is to hear that.” His eyes searched my face. “Where did this new chapter start? How did it all happen?”
A slow smile crept across my face. “Tulane. I enrolled.” I spoke with a mix of excitement and disbelief. “I’m studying social work. And it’s not just the classes. It’s everything. I’m part of a community now, surrounded by people who want to make a difference and who care about the same things I do. It’s been amazing. I finally feel like I’m doing something that matters.”
His eyes widened, lighting up with pride. “That’s incredible. I can already picture you helping people, making a real difference.” He took a small step closer, his gaze unwavering.
My heart swelled, and a shy, almost disbelieving smile crept onto my face. This was the moment I’d imagined a dozen different ways, and somehow, it was even better than I’d dreamed. But then a thought flickered through my mind, uninvited and sharp, cutting through my happiness.
A hint of disappointment tugged at me as I thought of that fifty-thousand-dollar bid from the mysterious New York caller. My stomach twisted a little, the warmth of the moment dimming as I thought of him with some glamorous model or actress, some effortlessly perfect woman who belonged in his world far more than I did.
Topher must have seen the change in my face because he tilted his head, a small crease of concern in his brow. “What’s wrong?”
I forced a laugh, trying to shake off the feeling. “The fifty-thousand-dollar date.” I looked away, trying to sound casual, even though my voice wavered slightly. “Whoever she is, I’m sure she’s thrilled to have won it.”
Topher’s face softened, and a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Oh, that date,” he murmured, his tone playful.
I raised an eyebrow, confused. “Yes,thatdate.” That might have come out a little sharper than I’d intended. “I mean, I’m sure whoever paid fifty thousand dollars is expecting a lot from Mr. Topher Brodie.”
He chuckled softly, taking another step toward me, his voice low and earnest. “You’re right. But here’s the thing. I paid that fifty thousand dollars myself.”
I blinked, processing his words, my heart doing a ridiculous little flip. “Wait,youbought the date?”
He nodded, his expression mischievous. “Exactly. There’s only one person I want to go on that date with.” He leaned in, a warm smile playing on his lips, and brushed a strand of hair back from my cheek, his fingers lingering as if he couldn’t quite bring himself to let go. “You.”
My heart skipped as warmth flooded my cheeks.
“That is,” he said, “if you’ll go with me, Kathleen. Will you?”
I tried to play it cool, but the smile creeping onto my face betrayed me. “I guess if someone’s willing to spend fifty thousand dollars on a date…” I paused, letting him hang on my answer. “How could I say no?”
His smile widened, relief and excitement flashing in his eyes. He took my hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Good. Because I’ve got big plans, Ms. Avery.”
My breath hitched, and the world faded around us as he leaned in, closing the last of the distance between us. His lips brushed mine softly at first, gentle and tentative, as if he was savoring the moment as much as I was. But then the kiss deepened, warmth spreading through me, making everything else—every doubt, every past hurt—fall away.
We pulled back slowly, both of us breathless, his hand still cradling my face. He looked at me with that familiar sparkle in his eyes, now mixed with something more vulnerable.
I couldn’t help but grin, shaking my head in disbelief. “Alright, so tell me,” I teased, arching an eyebrow, “what exactly does a fifty-thousand-dollar date look like? I mean, the bar’s pretty high after that swan-boat extravaganza you planned.”
He placed a hand over his heart, looking mock-offended. “Are you doubting my ability to sweep you off your feet?”
“Oh, not at all,” I shot back with a grin. “I’m just making sure you get your money’s worth.”
