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Stassi propped herself up on her elbow and frowned. “Imagined?”

“I just mean, if you were to get proposed to, would you want a public spectacle like that?” Sage tilted her head. “Don’t get me wrong, it was a sweet gesture, and it was romantic, but there were over a thousand pairs of eyes gawking at them.” She laughed. “I guess I wouldn’t think many people would want such an extravagant display.”

Stassi nodded. “I see what you mean. Now that I think about it, I suppose I would say that something a bit more intimate would be nice. After all, the only ones that would matter would be the two of us.” Stassi’s cheeks burned. “Well, you know what I mean. Myself and whoever I would be getting proposed to.” She added the last bit quickly, rambling.

Sage smiled and nodded. “I know what you mean.” She tossed her covers back and jumped out of bed. Stassi stared at her as she grabbed a pair of sweats and a sweatshirt and threw them on.

“What are you doing?”

“Thought I would run out and get us something to eat for breakfast. My treat. I’m starving.” She kissed Stassi before turning and heading to the door. She tossed a wave over her shoulder and Stassi fell back in the bed and stared at the ceiling.

Sage had way too much energy for so early in the morning. She rolled onto her side and considered Trent and Marcus. In a perfect world, she would accept either proposal. There wasn’t anything wrong with grand gestures like that, but she would also enjoy something light and intimate, just the two of them. And when she thought of someone proposing, her mind immediately went to Sage. That was the best feeling. And a little scary.

As she stayed in that position, her mind was on Sage and her heart, and her phone began ringing. She glanced at her watch and groaned. It was just before eight o’clock. Who needed to bother her that early in the morning? She reached for her phone and saw it was her dad. She was hesitant. It felt like every time she talked to him, something else shady came up in the conversation.

“Hey, Dad.”

“I’m glad I reached you,” he began. That was a first. Most of the time, when she tried to reach him, she never got through. This was one time, in what felt like forever, that he wanted to speak with her. Maybe something had changed. “Heard you spoke with my friend Michael last night.” The truth was, upon socializing, she quickly realized that she recognized several of the hospital board members from either seeing articles that included her dad or encountering them at her father’s building. So, she used the opportunity. And believed that it went excessively well for her.

“I did,” she began. “Got to have plenty of conversations last night at the gala. After all, you taught me well. Galas are used for networking, and if you don’t network, there’s no point in going. Isn’t that your motto?”

“Something like that,” he replied with a mumble.

“Michael was nice. As were several of the others. You can typically get a vibe from people one way or another, in just a few minutes of conversation. And I feel it worked well to my advantage.”

“What advantage is that?” he asked.

Stassi shook her head. “I care a great deal for many of the hospital’s employees. The union that they’re looking to form is important for their future. And they’re really close to making that dream happen. What little bit of help I can do is imperative.”

“You have a kind heart,” he began. “But I’ve given it much thought; I think you should stay away from the union nonsense.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you like the finer things. You care about looking your best and doing that all takes money. The gala was only a glimpse of what your old lifestyle has in store for you. You miss that. I know that, and you know that. I’m working to get my fortune back so I can go back to supporting you. With the union, it could possibly derail that from happening, and I know you don’t want that.”

“Dad, what are you truly saying?”

“I’m saying that these cuts that are being made will assist in us getting our lifestyle back, honey. Give it some time and you’ll certainly see. Take a step back from supporting this union business and everything you’ve ever dreamed of will be back in your grasp.”

“I’m back,” Sage called.

“I gotta go,” Stassi quickly disconnected the call as Sage rounded the corner of the bedroom.

“I have four different kinds of muffins and, of course, some of the richest brewed coffee.” Sage held out one of the cups. She then frowned. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah, everything is great.” Stassi forced a smile, but her father’s words were quick to cast a cloud over her. If given the chance, would she bolt from all of this for the chance at her old life?

Sage

Lena came running up to Sage’s table in the cafeteria. “There you are,” Sage replied, taking a bite of her banana. “I was beginning to think you were skipping lunch.”

“Sorry I’m late,” she said. “But look. I just got the last signature we need. With the paperwork signed, we are officially a union, and we can decide what we’re going to do to make a difference in this hospital. I can hardly believe that it’s finally happening.”

Sage grabbed the clipboard and looked at it. She shook her head. “You did it.”

Lena shook her head. “We did it. In fact, I would say Stassi had a part in this. Perhaps even a bigger part.”

Sage frowned. “How do you mean?”