Isabelle laughed. “Those two.”
Lainey cocked her head. “Which two?”
“Mia and Caleb,” Tessa said, smirking. “They’ve been dancing around each other for weeks.”
Finn finally reached her and nodded to the other women. Caleb looked disappointed.
“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Finn said quietly.
“Almost didn’t come.”
“Are you okay?”
Lainey gave him a tight smile. “Of course I’m okay. Just a little tired.”
He didn’t say anything. He didn’t push. But she knew questions were coming.
“Glad you came,” said a voice beside her.
Lainey turned and found herself face-to-face with a no-nonsense petite woman with gray-streaked hair and kind eyes that missed nothing.
“Lainey, this is Lena Morales, Director of Willow Haven,” said Finn. He nodded once to Lena, then glanced at Lainey before excusing himself like he knew exactly what Lena was about to say and wasn’t sure how she’d respond.
“This is an incredible event,” said Lainey, offering her hand.
Lena shook it firmly. “Thank you. We’re proud of it. It’s a lot of work but worth every second.”
“I’m sure,” Lainey said. “Tell me more about the shelter.”
They moved toward a quiet corner and spent a few minutes talking about the shelter. Lena told her about Willow Haven’s mission, the programs, the women.
Then Lena’s expression shifted, still kind but more serious.
“I’m glad you came tonight,” she said. “I’ve actually been wanting to ask you something. Off the record, of course.”
Lainey nodded. “Of course.”
“There’s a building in your project.” Lena hesitated. “Corner of Pine and Third. Used to be a furniture showroom?”
Lainey nodded slowly. She knew which building. Brick exterior, big glass windows, high ceilings, needed work but solid bones. “Uh-huh.”
“We’ve had several women transition out of the shelter lately,” Lena said. “They’ve secured jobs. The kids are in school, but there’s no affordable housing. Everything local is either beyond their means or falling apart.”
Lainey hesitated, pressure building in her chest. She knew exactly where this was going.
“I’m not asking for a free ride,” Lena added quickly. “Just … if you’d consider designating one of your renovations as transitional housing. It doesn’t have to be the warehouse. We’d help with oversight, fundraising, whatever it takes.”
It was a good idea. A great one. It made sense. It was important. Needed.
But it also meant more permits, more red tape, more financial delays. And at this point in time, she was barely holding the project together.
“That building is still in flux,” she said carefully. “We’ve had delays, complications. And honestly, I can’t guarantee when or if it’ll be ready.”
Lena nodded. “I understand. Still, if there’s a chance, even a small one, I hope you’ll think about it.” She gave Lainey a gentlepat on the arm and disappeared into the crowd, already heading toward another donor.
Lainey stood there for a moment, conversations muted in the background, fingers tightening around her champagne flute.
Of course she’d think about it.
