Ryder didn’t answer, but Owen was satisfied he’d done all he could. He nodded toward the hoop. “Now, how about double or nothing I can make a shot from here?”
*
Thursday evening afterher board meeting, Carly stood in the library’s conference room trying to decide whether to text or call Owen with the good news. What she wanted was to see him in person. That way she could apologize for her stupidlet’s be friends with benefitscomment after bowling and hopefully repair the damage she’d done. While he’d been kind enough this week he’d been different, almost distant, and she missed him.
Not wanting to simply show up, she texted him. “Just finished with board. Can I come over to share the news?” Her stomach growled reminding her she’d been too nervous to eat earlier. “If u haven’t eaten, I could bring dinner.”
“Great. Parents at a movie. Leftovers in fridge look iffy.”
A few minutes later, Carly stood on the Southern-style front porch at Owen’s parents’ house, excited to share her news with him, but nervous about being alone with him.
Armed with his favorites—chicken Parmigiana, cappuccino pie from De Luca’s Italian Table, and a bottle of cabernet—she’d thank him, and they’d discuss the board’s decision. She’d make her apology and hopefully they’d settle into some sort of normal relationship. She rolled her eyes and laughed. What would she want next? To develop the superpower to read people’s minds?
Trying to regain some semblance of control, Carly knocked on the front door, and when Owen answered, she said, “I wanted to share how the board meeting went, and I thought I might as well bring dinner.”
He eyed the sacks clutched in her hands, leaned forward, and inhaled. “De Luca’s. Tell me there’s cappuccino pie in there.”
“Of course.”
“Thank goodness.” He took the bags from her and stepped aside for her to enter.
Owen led her through the house. As they walked through the living room, memories of them snuggled on the couch, covered up with a quilt on cold Saturday nights making out made her blush. Head down and trying to shut out other images, Carly almost sighed in relief when they reached the kitchen. Owen placed the sacks on the granite breakfast bar. While he retrieved plates, she opened a drawer and found a corkscrew for the wine. “Looks like things are still in the same place.”
As he placed the plates on the counter, he said, “Mom says with as long as it took Dad to learn where stuff was, no way is she gonna move anything and have him drive her nuts asking where everything is.”
Once they’d plated dinner, had wine, and had settled in to eat, she raised her glass. “Here’s to you and Holly for grilling me with possible questions to ensure the board didn’t ask anything I couldn’t answer. They agreed with our assessment that keeping all offices on site and approaching Clint McMillan is the best option.”
“Here’s to Horses for Heroes soon having new digs,” Owen added. When the bright ping as their glasses touched faded, she said, “And a special thanks to you. After all, it was your idea. I’ve discovered fundraising isn’t nearly as bad when I’m not solely responsible.” She sipped her wine. “You know, if you weren’t returning to the Army, you’d make a good nonprofit executive director. In some ways, like public speaking and fundraising, you’re better qualified for my job than I am. You also understand what clients are going through in a way few can.”
“You mean that?”
She nodded. “Which reminds me. Were you serious about going with me to talk to Clint McMillan?”
“I wouldn’t have said it if I wasn’t,” Owen said.
“I’ll call him next week to set up a meeting. That gives us until then to prepare.”
“Want help with the case for support?”
“Listen to you throwing out the nonprofit terminology.” The fact that he’d done additional research stunned her. “If you’re going to the meeting, you might as well help prepare the pitch,” she joked, unwilling to admit the thought of requesting such a large donation alone made her queasier than before a speaking engagement.
She’d known Owen most of her life and dated him all through high school. She pushed her ravioli around her plate with her fork wondering why tonight felt so awkward. Figuring the situation couldn’t get much more uncomfortable and wanting to clear the air, she plunged ahead with the other reason for her visit. “I want to apologize for what I said after we went bowling. You know, the casual sex comment.”
He shifted on the bar stool. “Forget it. I have.”
She nodded and took a bite of ravioli. She didn’t know what she’d hoped for as a reaction, but that wasn’t it. “What’s up with that? You seem upset, but you’re still willing to help me get new office space? I don’t understand.”
He placed his fork carefully on the granite counter, then pinned her with an irritated glare. “What makes you think I’m the kind of man who has casual affairs? That a relationship like that would be enough for me?”
“You said you’ve forgotten about what I said.”
“I lied.”
“I don’t think that about you. I lost my head in a moment of passion and said something stupid because I know with you planning on returning to active duty being stationed who knows where, and my life is in Service that was all we could have.”
“Really? Your life’s in Service? I heard you’re outta here the minute Ryder graduates.”
Apprehension curled into a tight ball and settled in Carly’s stomach. Her last bite of spinach ravioli stuck in her throat. She emptied her wineglass washing down the pasta and grabbed the bottle to refill it. “Where did you hear that?”
