Chapter 7 - The Real Treasure"You know," I murmured, taking a sip of my coffee, "Joey asked for his 2007 Corolla back yesterday."
Cassie chuckled, resting her chin on her hand, looking up at me with warmth and affection. "Did you give it to him?"
"I bought him a brand-new Toyota Camry and kept the Corolla," I smirked. "I'm thinking about parking it in the executive space downstairs right beside the Maybach."
"As a reminder?" she asked softly.
"As a trophy," I corrected gently, reaching out to cover her hand with mine on the desk. "To remind me of the night I found the most valuable thing in this city."
Cassie turned her hand over, interlacing her fingers tightly with mine. Her grip was warm, strong, and completely sincere.
"Alexander," she whispered softly, her hazel-gray eyes shining with deep emotion. "When I walked over to your table with that towel... I thought you were just a man who had hit rock bottom. I thought you had nothing."
I leaned down, pressing a soft, lingering kiss against her knuckles, looking deep into her soul with an absolute, unshakeable certainty.
"I did have nothing, Cassie," I replied softly. "Until you walked over."
Outside the high floor-to-ceiling windows, the afternoon sun reflected off the Manhattan skyline, painting the city in brilliant shades of gold and amber.
May you like
The fake dates were over. The tests were finished. The games were buried forever.
And standing inside the quiet, sunlit office, holding the hand of the woman who had seen my worth when I had nothing, I knew that my real life had finally, beautifully begun.
