Layla
I stare at Christine Sorensen, unable to make sense of what she just told me.
“We’ll see how the event unfolds, of course, but I like to think I can spot potential from a distance.”
She straightens papers on her desk, then gives me a wry grin. “My husband and son aren’t the only ones
who have a keen business brain, as much as they like to think otherwise.”
“So.” My voice comes out gravelly, so I clear my throat. “So when you say you want to invest in me,
you mean...”
“I want you to start a company. I’ll provide funding for marketing and administration expenses. I can
provide strategic business advice and help you get on your feet. You’ll have to cultivate all the
relationships and manage the business. I can introduce you to my network, of course, but it’ll be your job
to close the deal.”
My heart leaps. This isn’t happening. This can’t be true. Leif’s mother is offering me the opportunity
of a lifetime. She wants to invest in me.
No one has ever seen potential in me. No one has ever seen me and thought, Layla could do more. No
one has ever seen talent.
Emma is the smart one. The one with a future. But now...
“I don’t know what to say.” I’m going to puke, right here on this priceless Turkish rug.
Christine’s shoulders soften. “You don’t have to say anything. Do you have a lawyer? I’ll send
through a proposal, but you should have someone look it over. I’m asking for fifty percent ownership.”
Mind reeling, I just nod dumbly. Three weeks ago, I mourned the loss of a carton of eggs that got
crushed by my clumsiness. Now, I’m living in a billionaire’s penthouse apartment and I’m being offered
my dream business.
This isn’t real life. It can’t be. “Thank you,” I finally manage to croak out. “Thank you, Christine. I
don’t—I can’t—I...” I shake my head. “I wasn’t expecting this.”
“Well,” the older woman says, standing up and extending a hand, “I’m glad you’re open to the idea.”
Open to it? I want to jump for joy. I can hardly believe what’s happening in my life. In less than a
month, I’ve met the man of my dreams and been offered a home and a relationship and a future.
If I can start my own business—and if Christine is backing me—it’ll open so many doors for me. For
Rachael. For everyone else that has struggled alongside me.
I’ll be able to take care of my grandparents. They’ll ke ep their home, get all the medication they might
need, and live out their days happy and as healthy as possible. I’ll see Leif and Isla and I won’t be the
temporary nanny—I might actually be an equal.
Emma will get her college paid for. She’ll go to medical school and she won’t have to worry about a
thing other than exams and assignments.
In a daze, I let Leif’s mother lead me to the front of the house and I stumble to the waiting car. Mrs.
Sorensen’s driver is waiting to take me back to the penthouse
apartment I call home. The wind whips around my new puffer jacket, but I’m ensconced in the
warmth and safety within. When I slide into the back seat and feel the car rumble beneath me, I let out a
laugh before clapping my hand over my face.
This isn’t real life. It can’t be. It’s too good.
When I get home, I’m relieved to see the apartment empty. I shuffle into the bedroom and fall onto the
blankets, groaning into my pillow.
It’s probably the excitement of Christine’s offer, but I feel completely worn out.
To be honest, I’ve felt this way all week. Bone-tired no matter how long I sle ep. Maybe it’s stress, or
excitement, or the fact that I’ve gone through so many big changes over the past month.
Maybe I have a mineral deficiency. That would explain why I suddenly feel nauseous around the
smell of bacon cooking... right?
It’s just all the change. I’m as busy as ever, and my body needs time to adjust. Unless...
A thought darts through my head, too quick for me to latch onto. There’s something I’m not
considering, but my brain seems to have forgotten how to function properly.
Thoughts blur as my eyelids grow heavy. I’ll just take a little nap. Just twenty minutes, and then I’ll
figure out what it is I’m missing.