Page 65 of One Last Shot

She gives a definitive nod and says “Okay,” but her face drains of color.What the hell does she think I’m going to suggest?

“First, the NDA is essential. Stella’s privacy is of the utmost importance. When you leave here, I’m sure you’ll spend some time Googling me and seeing what you can find out.” Her face flushes a bit when I say this, and I realize that she’s probably already done this. “What you won’t find,” I continue, “is any mention of me being the guardian of my niece. For a variety of reasons, I want that kept as quiet as possible.”

“Of course,” she says.

“The other condition,” I say, hoping she’ll agree, “is that as long as you’re working for me, you need to be working toward finishing that degree at Columbia.”

She gets this hopeful, excited look before her face falls. “I don’t think I can afford to do that,” she says.

That hadn’t occurred to me.

“Why not?”

“I got a scholarship to Columbia,” she says, looking at the floor. “But when I looked into going back after my aunt passed away, they wouldn’t finance any of my education because I now own this really valuable property in the Village. But it’s been in my family for generations, I can’t sell it. The financial aid officer at Columbia suggested I take out a reverse mortgage to pay for school, but how would I pay that back while also going to school? The property taxes alone take up a huge part of my salary.”

“What about student loans?” I ask.

“That’s really the only feasible option, since I wouldn’t have to start paying them while I’m in school. But I did the math. Between the student loans and the property taxes, that would give me almost nothing to live on once I graduated. My major is child psychology. It’s not exactly leading to a lucrative career path, at least not right away.”

“You’re making some really tough, but really smart, financial decisions right now,” Petra says, and I realize that this is exactly the kind of math she’s probably done her entire life. Especially when she was saving to pay my father back for that loan for school, not knowing that it was something that would never need to be repaid. I realize how much I have not once missed that money, how investing in someone else’s future made me feel better than the money sitting in an investment account, growing me more money, ever could.

“I’ll pay for the classes.”

Petra’s head snaps toward me and Raina sucks in a sharp breath. “Why would you do that?” Raina asks, the skepticism clear in her voice and the pinched look on her face.

“Because Petra pointed out that without your degree, your future options are limited. And because I can. Because I won’t even miss that money. It’ll do far more good this way.”

Raina’s mouth drops open. “How would I ever pay you back?”

“Just take good care of my kid,” I tell her. “Be firm enough that she doesn’t grow into a spoiled brat, and kind enough that she feels loved. Be there for her when I can’t. And as long as you’re working for me, I’ll pay for you to take as many classes as you can reasonably manage each semester.”

Raina’s eyes are glassy with unshed tears.

“Say yes,” Petra stage-whispers to her with a laugh.

“Okay,” Raina says slowly. “Yes.”

I stand and hold my hand out to her, and she stands to take it. We shake on it. “I’ll call your references right away. I have to leave for Philadelphia in”—I glance at my watch—“a few hours. I’ll have my lawyer email you a contract this afternoon.”

“Thank you so much,” she says. “I feel like you both have just changed my life.”

“It’s going to be so worth it,” Petra says, “because I can already tell you are going to be good for Stella, and I’m glad you’ll get more out of this than just a paycheck. I can’t wait to see you graduate.”

There’s warmth spreading through my chest. It’s a hot lump that grows in a way that’s almost painful, but also amazing. Is it pride at being able to help Raina achieve her dreams, while she’s here helping to raise Stella so I can achieve mine? Is it hope at the way Petra talks about seeing a graduation that’s at least a couple years down the road? Is it admiration for the way Petra suggested something I never would have thought of and made such a huge difference in this girl’s life?

I can’t describe this feeling because I’m not sure I’ve ever felt it before. But it feels like my life is finally coming together like it was always supposed to.

* * *

Two hours later, I’ve finished up with my phone calls and Avery has assured me she’ll have Tom’s paralegal draft the contract and have Tom sign it today.

“It’ll be in Raina’s inbox before I leave the office tonight,” Avery says. I can tell she senses I’m worried this won’t happen quickly enough. “Okay?”

“Thanks, Avery.”

“Anytime. Bye.”

Knowing this is locked down, and being able to cancel the remaining interviews on Friday when I’m back, will give me such peace of mind. I want to know this search is over and that Stella will be well cared for once Petra leaves. That thought is a rock in the pit of my stomach. I know it’s reality—she has a business to get back to. She has other events besides the one she’s planning for me, and I’m sure planning them from afar like this is more difficult. I know she has friends and a life in Park City. But I want her life to be here, in New York, with us.

---