The Waitress With a PhD Who Silenced a Arrogant And Rude Billionaire
Chapter 30
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Theodore was succeeding. His therapy was helping. He'd started reconnecting with his sister, whom he hadn't spoken to in five years. He'd begun donating to causes beyond tax benefits, actually caring about where his money went. And he was different with Camille: gentle, tender, genuinely interested in her thoughts and feelings. The cold, arrogant man from the Sterling Oak was gone, replaced by someone warmer and more real.One Saturday in early December, Theodore took Camille to the Art Institute. They wandered through galleries, discussing paintings and sculptures, debating the meaning of abstract works.In front of a Monet, Theodore said quietly, "I never did this before: just spend a day enjoying art. I was always too busy, too focused on the next deal.""What changed?" Camille asked."You did. You showed me there's more to life than work and money." He looked at her, and his gray eyes were soft. "You showed me how to be human again."Camille's breath caught. They were standing close, the bright gallery lights illuminating Theodore's face. For a moment, she thought he might kiss her, but he didn't.Instead, he smiled and said, "Come on. Let's get lunch. I'm starving."They ate at a small cafe near the museum, sharing a pizza and laughing about Theodore's terrible Italian pronunciation. It felt natural, easy, like they'd been friends for years instead of months."My mother likes you," Camille said."Really? I thought she might hate me.""She did at first, but she says anyone willing to work as hard as you have to change deserves a second chance.""Your mother is wise.""She is." Camille took a sip of water. "She also said something else: she said you look at me the way my father used to look at her."Theodore froze, his pizza slice halfway to his mouth. "Oh.""Yeah. Oh."They looked at each other across the table. The air between them felt charged, full of unspoken words."Camille," Theodore started, then stopped. "I don't want to rush this, whatever this is. You're important to me, and I don't want to mess it up.""I feel the same way," Camille admitted. "But, Theodore, I also think we should be honest about what's happening here.""What is happening here?""I think we're falling for each other. And that terrifies me: because of how we met, because of what you did, because I don't know if I can trust this."Theodore set down his pizza. "I understand. And I don't blame you for being scared. But, Camille, what I feel for you is real—more real than anything I've felt in my entire life. You make me want to be better. You make me want to deserve you.""You don't have to earn me, Theodore. I'm not a prize.""I know. But I want to be worthy of your time, your attention, your..." He paused. "...your affection, if you're willing to give it."Camille's heart raced. This was happening, really happening. Despite everything, despite the terrible beginning, she was falling in love with Theodore Lancaster.