I never saw her again after that day, but we all heard the stories.

Even at my young age, I understood why she was selling her kisses in the first place. The girls called her a slut and a skank, even though they didn’t really understand what they were saying.

But I knew better.

I don’t know her now and didn’t back then either, but I’ve always had a way of reading people. The poor kid was just trying to help out her family the best way she knew how.

One night while I was doing homework with my bedroom door open I overheard my parents mention the Saber family. I crept to the top of the stairs and listened to them discussing her drunken, worthless father and her sick mother.

Both died within two years of Dani and her brother being removed from the home. I used to wonder if she knew. I even hoped that she’d come back for the funerals. Just so I could see her again, and know she was doing all right.

I’ve had to wait twelve years for this day.

But what the hell has happened to her? She’s fucking cleaning houses for a living. It’s better than a lot of things she could be doing, but not nearly good enough for her.

I look up the stairs. The white marble shines under the lights. She must have got down on her hands and knees to do them. Something in my chest hurts.

There was always something special about her. She had guts. She was determined and strong, not to mention resourceful. And she was the most beautiful girl I’d ever set eyes on. She never knew, but I used to watch her. Back then, I was crazy about her. I used to write her name in my notebooks. Once, I even punched another kid for saying something nasty about her. Got a temporary suspension, and my dad was mad as hell with me, but it’d been worth it.

I guess I’ve always had a thing for her.

Funny how life hinges on meaningless little decisions. Stay in bed a few minutes longer and miss the train that crashes. Take your kid in for his first day of school and avoid being in the office when a plane hits the building. If my investors had arrived on time I would have stayed on in LA for another two days and I would never have met her again.

I take the stairs more slowly this time, and quieter than before. She needs her sleep. I wonder what she’d think if she knew who I was. Here I am, getting all sentimental over her, when I doubt she’ll even remember me.

Back in the bedroom, where she’s still deeply asleep, I settle comfortably into a chair across from her, and watch her sleeping. I need a plan, a solid plan. Before she wakes up.

Her breathing is soft and light, even. Her mouth curves into a slight smile and I wonder what she’s dreaming of. Or of whom. My body clenches at the thought. My eyes fly down to her fingers. No ring on her left hand. A good sign.

When the idea hits, it’s like a bolt from the blue.

It’s still sketchy, still in its early stages, but it’s the ideal way to keep her in my life. Because I must. I must keep her with me now. There’s no other option. I’d be a foolish man to let her slip away from me again. Opportunities like this don’t come around more than once in a lifetime.

I slide my phone from my pants and text Mark.

ME: Slight change of plans. Tell Charlotte I’m coming to Vegas for her wedding.

His return text comes through almost instantly. Awesome. We’ll have a blast.

ME: BTW, I’m bringing my fiancée.

MARK: WTF???!!!

I smile. Tell you when I see you later tonight.

MARK: Tonight? Aren’t you in LA?

ME: Nope. See you about nine.

MARK: Can’t wait to hear this story.

I glance away from the screen and over to Dani.

She stirs as if she feels my gaze, or knows what I’m thinking as she sleeps.

Wouldn’t it be something if I showed up in Vegas with her on my arm? Poor Charlotte. I’ll try my hardest not to rub it in, but she can only dream of being like Dani.

I sit there for a while, watching her from my chair as she sleeps. Planning. Wondering. Looking forward to the moment when my Sleeping Beauty awakens.