“Damn right.And we certainly do need your input.”She tipped her head back.“What if it’s all for nothing?What if we can’t convince them and the company keeps going the way it has?”
“That could happen,” he agreed.
She pulled away and turned so she could face him.“That’s reassuring.”
“I’ve told you, Lara.I don’t lie to you.It is a possibility.A real one.But it’s the worst possible outcome.More likely we’ll end up with less than we want and more than we expected.But know this, we’ll do the best we can.We’ll send the strategy to your mother in the morning for her feedback.And we’ll consider what you’ll say to your father.If it’s not good enough, we’ll regroup.I’ll still have a place at the table for several years.Change is inevitable.”
“You never give up.”
“What’s that saying?With enough time and determination, you can piss a hole in a rock.”
“Thank you for that.”She grinned and allowed her shoulders to rest against the seat.
“Have you heard from your mother this morning?”
“A couple of times.She mentioned that you sent over a copy of the communications division proposal.She’s got almost everyone lined up for tomorrow’s meeting.She has a couple of calls in to my dad, but he hasn’t spoken to her, either.And before you ask, no.I’m not surprised.”
They arrived at the county building, and they rode to the third floor in silence.She held on to her purse and stared straight ahead.
The tension that he’d thought had left her was back, judging by the set of her chin.
There was another couple already with the clerk, so he and Lara took a seat.The pair had their hands linked, and they kept looking at each other.They were informing the clerk of their honeymoon plans.Then the soon-to-be groom leaned over and kissed his fiancée.
Lara turned away and busied herself flipping through the pages of a popular personal finance magazine.
The couple stood, and the man hugged his future bride.
Lara didn’t look up.
Finally, the clerk called out, “Next!”and waved them over.
Connor held Lara’s chair, and they each dug out their driver’s licenses and answered the required battery of questions.He paid the fee.
A few minutes later, the clerk gave them some final instructions for returning the signed document then wished them much happiness for the future.
He scooped up the manila envelope containing the oversized document and followed Lara to the elevator.
“It took longer to drive over here than it did to get the license,” she said.
Far less time than he’d budgeted.
In the car, he asked, “Do you have time for a coffee?”
“Yes.I was actually hoping we’d have a chance to talk.”
April whisked them to a local coffee shop.
Surprising him, Lara ordered a large raspberry lemonade.“I need to be able to sleep tonight,” she said.“Last night was rough.”
“You never have to do it alone,” he said.
Because of the time of day, they were able to find a quiet table in a back corner.
“I’ve decided you’re right,” she said.“Let’s get the agreement over to our lawyers.I’ll move in with you.I can rent out my place, put my things in storage.But the limit is two years.”
“I was willing to consider moving into your house.”
“I’ve changed my mind about that.”
