Page 168 of Jude

‘For real?’ Sarah asked

‘The jobs are yours if you apply for them, and given your experience, you should get in. The pay is also double what you’re making.’

Maria’s mouth fell open. ‘Are you serious, Sof?’

‘Dead serious. Apply, and you might be able to start as soon as next Monday.’

Camilla’s eyes filled with tears as she grabbed my hand across the table. ‘You’re a lifesaver, you know that?’

‘You had my back, and now I have yours, always,’ I told her.

I left them on top of the world.

When I shared the news the following Monday with Misty that we had three possible recruits, she eyed me over the edge of her coffee cup.

‘You’re a gun, Sofia; we’re growing fast, and the leadership you’re showing is exemplary.’

Misty set her cup down as she leaned forward to gaze straight into my eyes.

‘Sofia, I’m promoting you to community manager with a solid pay raise,’ Misty announced. ‘You’ll be heading up the whole support team starting next week.’

I froze, my fingers tightening against the ceramic mug as my eyes misted over with genuine, overwhelming emotion.

A real chance, I thought as a quiet tear tracked down my cheek.

I let out a shaky breath, pressing a palm flat over my chest to calm the sudden, violent hammering of my heart.

‘Are you serious, Misty?’

‘Dead serious, gorgeous,’ Misty smiled, reaching across the table to pat my forearm. ‘You’re qualified, you’ve come up with great ideas to bring more funding to the organization, and you’re attracting new blood into the team. Which is ace in my world.’

I wiped my eyes with the back of my sleeve, letting out a watery laugh as a wave of joy washed through me.

‘Thank you,’ I breathed, my voice thick with feeling. ‘You don’t know what this means to me.’

It meant the world: recognition, affirmation, and, most of all, a path of my own to chart in my new world.

I drove home on a high I had not experienced in years.

When I stepped through the front door that evening, Jude was in the kitchen, making a coffee.

He took one look at my face, tossed his phone onto the island, and hauled me flush to his chest.

‘Tell me,’ he rasped, stroking my back.

‘I got the promotion,’ I said, wrapping my arms around his neck. ‘I’m The Sanctuary’s new Community Manager.’

A slow grin spread across his face.

He lifted me clear off my feet, pinning me to the counter before setting me down and claiming his mouth over mine in a fierce, possessive kiss.

‘That’s my girl,’ he murmured to my lips, his thumb digging into my jawline. ‘Get dressed. I’m taking you out to fuckin’ celebrate.’

He drove us downtown to a hidden Japanese joint tucked into a brick alleyway.

We sat in a secluded timber booth, his hand in mine while the scent of seared wagyu and toasted sesame filled the air.

We ate charred edamame, fresh kingfish sashimi, and robata-grilled skewers, washing it down with cold sake.