“You can take your things and go,” I say in a firm voice. I trusted her and she not only betrayed that trust, she tried to destroy the business Kaylee and I have been building.
Kaylee nods in agreement.
Without arguing, she rises to her feet. “I’m sorry,” she whispers, then turns and walks away.
“She got off easy,” Kaylee mutters.
“I know and we can talk about how to proceed later. It’s Blaire I really need to worry about.” Something tells me she won’t stop until I’m out of business and my reputation is in tatters. Something I’ve meticulously rebuilt since the Attwater fiasco.
Kaylee lets out a frustrated groan. “You’re in charge here, so it’s your call. What do we do about the food?”
“I still don’t know,” I say, frustration rising inside me, tears burning in my eyes.
“Rainey!” Lucas’s deep masculine voice calls my name.
We both spin toward him, but he’s already reached us thanks to his long strides. “Problem solved!”
“How?” It’s almost impossible to believe he’s found someone able to provide food on such short notice.
Lucas grins. “It pays to have friends. One of the guys from my childhood went into business with his father. They opened a barbeque restaurant, and I convinced them to shut down to customers for the day to make food for your event. What self-respecting player doesn’t like wings and ribs? Buffalo, barbeque, garlic parmesan…”
I release the breath I’ve been holding. “Oh my God, you’re amazing!”
“You really are,” Kaylee says, a grin on her face.
Looking proud of himself, he holds up one hand. “Wait. There’s more. I called around and there’s a burger place willing to send burgers. Not just any burgers, either. He does toppings like truffle aioli, fig jam, and blue cheese.”
“Lucas!” I rush him and wrap my arms around his neck. “You just saved this party!” I say, pressing a long kiss to his strong, firm lips before releasing him.
Then, I think things through, and my mood grows more serious. “This must cost a fortune! Between the food and covering the cost of them shutting down for the day?” I’ll eat the loss. I have to. It’s not like the caterer who thinks I called her and changed the menu will refund the money.
Beside me, Kaylee remains silent. She, too, understands the ramifications of what’s happened.
Lucas braces his hands on my waist. “It’s worth it,” he says. “You’re worth it.”
I open my eyes wide. “You can’t mean you’re paying for the food?!”
“It’s covered,” he says, his tone confident.
I look from Kaylee to Lucas, staring and mute. There are no words to describe what I’m feeling. From relief that the party can go on as planned to disbelief Lucas would do such a thing tostubborn refusal to accept his money. But that’s a discussion we can have later.
“Thank you! I’m going to talk to the caterer and explain she’ll set up at a side table for people who prefer vegetarian options, and have her make room in the kitchen for all the food that’s coming.”
“I can handle the caterer,” Kaylee says. “I’m sure you have plenty of other things to do.” She tips her head toward Lucas.
I blow her a kiss, and mouth, “I owe you,” to her.
She grins and rushes off to the kitchen.
I meet Lucas’s gaze. I consider myself an independent woman who can handle any crisis. I would have found a solution to the food problem, but the fact that I didn’t have to? That someone not part of my company, someone who just cares for me, stepped up and handled it? My heart is so full.
“Thank you. I will pay you back. This is a company expense, but I’m so grateful you figured it all out for me.” I hug him once more. “Now, I need to get back to work.”
He nods. And as I walk away, I think I hear him say, “Not paying me back, sweetheart.”
I shake my head and decide to deal with financial issues later.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
