The Waitress With a PhD Who Silenced a Arrogant And Rude Billionaire
Chapter 32
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When midnight approached, they made their way to the balcony, escaping the crowded ballroom. The city spread out below them, lights everywhere, the promise of a new year hanging in the cold air."Last year at this time, I was miserable," Theodore said. "Angry at the world, angry at myself. I couldn't have imagined this: being here with you.""Last year at this time, I was at home with my mother, worried about money, feeling hopeless," Camille said. "I couldn't have imagined this either. What a difference a year makes."The countdown began inside:10, 9, 8...Theodore turned to Camille, his expression serious. "Can I kiss you at midnight, or is that rushing things?"Camille's heart pounded. "You can kiss me at midnight."...3, 2, 1!The crowd inside erupted in cheers. Fireworks exploded over the city, bright against the dark sky, and Theodore kissed her: it was gentle and sweet and full of promise.When they pulled apart, Camille was smiling, her cheeks flushed."Happy New Year," Theodore whispered."Happy New Year," Camille replied.They stood on that balcony, wrapped in each other's arms, watching the fireworks and feeling like anything was possible.January brought cold weather and hard work. Camille finished her dissertation: all 300 pages of carefully researched analysis. She sent it to her advisor at the Sorbonne, who responded with glowing praise: "This is excellent work, Mademoiselle Johnson. You're ready to defend."The defense was scheduled for March 15th. Camille would fly to Paris for a week, present her work to a committee, and hopefully earn her doctorate. She was terrified and excited in equal measure.Theodore was her biggest supporter. He helped her prepare her presentation, listening to her practice speeches, asking challenging questions to simulate the committee's interrogation."You're going to knock them dead," he told her. "'Dr. Johnson' has a nice ring to it.""Don't jinx it.""I'm not jinxing anything. I believe in you."Those words, simple as they were, meant everything to Camille. After months of being told she was worthless, hearing that someone believed in her was healing.They'd been officially dating for six weeks now, and it was good, really good. Theodore was attentive, but not smothering: he respected her boundaries, supported her work, and made her laugh. They'd fallen into an easy rhythm: dinner twice a week, Sunday brunch with Gloria, late-night phone calls where they talked until they fell asleep.Camille's friends from the restaurant, Bethany and James, were cautiously supportive. They'd met Theodore at a dinner Camille had organized, and while they'd been suspicious at first, they'd warmed up to him."He's different than I expected," Bethany had said afterward. "Still kind of awkward, but in a sincere way.""He's trying really hard," James had added. "I respect that."