“No, but far from ideal.” Mrs. Morgan clasped her hands on the table.
“I have a friend who’s in graphic arts. She can turn around programs quickly,” Gentry said.
“Let’s set modest goals and keep this first effort small,” Colby suggested. “We can learn from our mistakes and then plan something more lavish next year.”
Gentry asked, “Am I allowed to use Mark’s and Joe’s story in order to drum up more interest, or is that a no-go?”
“Mention that the foundation is being started in Joe’s and Mark’s honor, but don’t plaster their names everywhere. I don’t want to upset Mr. Morgan further.” Colby didn’t make direct eye contact with Mrs. Morgan, though she could see her peripherally.
When Julie’s gaze dropped to her lap, Colby’s mother reached over and squeezed the woman’s forearm.
Sara interjected, “Let’s come up with a mission statement, and then make a logistics plan to pull the event together.”
The next thirty minutes consisted of Colby and Mrs. Morgan talking while everyone else took notes. With marching orders in hand, everyone began making polite goodbyes.
“Sara, do you have a minute?” Colby asked.
“Sure, but I’m driving your mom.”
Colby dragged Sara to her office and closed the door, leaving Alec to entertain her mom, who’d easily keep her occupied for at least ten minutes. “You seemed upset last night. Is everything okay?”
“I’m fine,” she quipped with uncommon impatience.
“I don’t mean to pry,” Colby began gently, “but have you started hormone therapy again?”
“No.” Sara sighed. “Not yet. We have an appointment today, and then we’ll decide.”
Colby squeezed Sara’s shoulder. “What’s the doctor say?”
“The same thing he always says.” Sara sat against Colby’s desk, her face a study in melancholy. “But this is it for me. I can’t go through a third round. If this fails, maybe it’s not meant to be.”
“Motherhood?”
The faraway look in Sara’s eyes suggested something more. “Never mind.”
A chill rippled through Colby. “I hated seeing you and Hunter argue. Stress doesn’t help the situation.”
“I know.” Sara stood to go. “Look, Colby, thanks for your concern, but I’d rather not talk about it now.”
It was unlike Sara to be abrupt. Her demeanor made Colby uneasy, even if she couldn’t put her finger on precisely why. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Sara flashed a shallow grin. “Let’s get back before your mom gets antsy.”
Colby set aside her concern for now. “Or before she takes another swipe at Gentry.”
“Quite a group you’ve assembled.” Sara raised her brows, then said teasingly, “Were you drunk when you chose us?”
“Just stupidly optimistic,” Colby chuckled.
They wandered back into the dining room to find only her mother and Alec remaining.
“Let’s all grab lunch,” her mom suggested.
“Mom, it’s two thirty. Didn’t you eat before you came?”
She waved dismissively. “Coffee and dessert, then.”
“I’ve got a to-do list as long as my arm, and now so do you,” Colby said.
“Come, let’s leave these two alone.” Sara tugged at her mother-in-law’s arm.
“Leslie, hang on. I have something for you.” Alec jogged back to the kitchen and returned with a to-go box. “Enjoy.”
Her mom opened the lid to reveal four gorgeous miniature glossy cakes topped with fresh strawberry slices and some kind of coulis. “What are they?”
“Chocolate mango cheesecakes.” Alec smiled. “Our pastry chef’s been experimenting.”
“You’re a prince!” Her mother beamed.
“None for me?” Sara teased.
“You don’t like sweets,” Alec replied.
“I know.” She winked at Alec and dragged Colby’s mom out the door. “Come on, Leslie, let’s go.”
“You holding up okay?” Alec slung his arm over Colby’s shoulder once they were alone.
“Better than okay.” She twirled to snuggle against his chest.
He kissed the top of her head. “The Maverick Foundation.”
“That pleased your mom. Maybe it will make your dad happy, too.”
“Don’t count on it.” He grimaced. “Do you really want to stay here and work?”
She craned her neck and kissed him. “Maybe we could work from your place after a little break?”
“Good plan.” He smiled, looking unbearably handsome standing in the soft light streaming through the glass doors.
An exhilarating rush of gratitude swept through her, pulling her past the tragic memories, past her brother’s warnings and Alec’s father’s reaction, out to where she stood, alone, vulnerable, and falling in love with one of her oldest friends. And for the first time in years, she didn’t feel like hiding.
“Follow me.” She clasped his hand and prayed her leap of faith wouldn’t end in heartache.
Chapter Sixteen
“Thanks for meeting me for lunch.” Hunter kissed Colby’s cheek and sat across from her at Gab-n-Eat, their favorite greasy spoon. Nothing ever changed here: not the ripped vinyl seat cushions, chipped Formica tabletops, or funky mix of sausage, onion, and bacon aromas.
Of course, Hunter looked out of place—in his crisp bespoke shirt and Patek Philippe watch—but both she and he had laid claim to this booth eons ago, when they would sneak in to compensate for their mother’s bland cooking.
“I never pass on a chance to clog my arteries.” She sipped the diet soda she’d ordered before Hunter arrived, and wondered if Alec would ever cross this diner’s threshold. She smothered a smile as she imagined his horrified response to the gargantuan portions. “So what’s up? You rarely have time to meet me midweek.”
“Two things.” He clasped his hands together on the table, officious as always. “First, I’m sorry for reacting so badly to your news last week. I love you and Alec. You just caught me off guard. I still think you’ve created a tricky situation for yourselves at the restaurant, but from a purely personal perspective, I hope it works out.”
“Thanks.” Colby couldn’t resist teasing. “Now tell the truth. Did Sara put you up to that apology?”
“No.” He didn’t crack a smile. Too bad, because his stony face could really benefit from a few more smiles. Maybe she should start sending him funny videos. “Sara’s got only one focus these days, and that’s a whole other issue. One I don’t have patience for now that Jenna’s talking Dad into selling the company.”
“What?” Colby leaned forward, stunned. So stunned, she temporarily lost interest in Sara. “Why would Dad ever consider selling CTC?”
“Jenna’s heard a rumor that Pure Foods might be interested in buying CTC.” Hunter shook his head. “Honestly, I laughed at first, never imagining Dad might consider selling. But Jenna’s got his ear, and even if Pure Foods doesn’t make a play, she seems to want to go hunting for a buyer.”