Page 43 of Ruthless Vengeance
I look down at Zoe, and my chest tightens.
Fashion school was something that felt impossible as a single mom with no time, no money, and no real support system. But now that I have Marco, things are different. I have a family who would be able to watch Zoe, and I’m sure if I mentioned the idea to Marco, he would offer to loan me the money without a second thought.
I could continue to work at Nox in the evenings to pay him back and spend my weekends focusing on school.
This is actually a possibility, and the thought is both exhilarating and terrifying.
I click on the link and start skimming through the courses.
The website promises both flexibility and part-time options, as well as online classes to start.
My pulse quickens as I start to mentally map out a schedule for school that would work around Zoe.
Can I actually do this?
Before I can get too lost in my thoughts, footsteps sound in the hallway, and I quickly snap the laptop shut just as Rosa strolls into the living room.
She’s dressed in a pair of navy, sweat shorts and a high school T-shirt. Her waist length, dark hair is damp and loose around her shoulders, no doubt from spending the morning doing laps in the pool.
Rosa raises an eyebrow at me as she glances at the closed laptop. “Were you watching porn?”
“Ew, Rosa, no! Zoe is right here.” I laugh, pointing down to the playmat.
“If you say so…” She holds up her hands. “What were you looking at if it wasn’t porn, then?”
I groan. “Please stop saying porn. You know your brothers would kill you if they learned you even knew what that is.”
“Don’t remind me.” Rosa flops down onto the couch beside me. “In their eyes, I’m still seven years old.”
I look down at Zoe who is chewing on a wooden block with drool slowly dripping down her chin.
“I can understand that. I hate the thought of Zoe growing up.”
“You could always have another one.” Rosa waggles her eyebrows.
I think of the multiple browsers opened with various fashion schools and courses in the city and let out a sigh.
I would love nothing more than for Zoe to have a brother or sister, and I have a feeling Marco feels the same, but that would mean putting fashion school on hold once again.
I’m starting to worry that if I don’t do it soon, I never will. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
“So, what were you looking at?”
I hesitate before opening the laptop back up and turning it around for Rosa to see.
“I was looking at a fashion course.” My cheeks heat.
Rosa’s entire face lights up as she quickly scans the screen. “Are you serious? You’d be amazing at that!”
I shrug. “I don’t know… It’s just an idea I have.”
Rosa clutches her hands together, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “Okay, hear me out. Would you make my homecoming dress for me?”
I blink at her. “Are you serious?”
“Hell, yes, I’m serious! I would have anoriginalClara Peterson design. Or should I say ClaraDe Luca?” She offers me a knowing smile.
My face burns at the not-so-subtle hint.
