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Was it recognition? She scoffed.
Screw recognition. She had a promising career ahead of her, one she could build on her own terms. She didn’t need anything else. Or anyone. Especially not Neil Harrison.
She’d done a pretty good job avoiding him so far tonight. And she wasn’t going to risk ruining her moment of transformation that had been ten years in the making.
…
The guests had arrived sporadically, but at least they showed up. Neil was afraid his recent internet celebrity status was going to ruin the opening.
He headed straight for the bar and secured the biggest glass of scotch he could get his hands on. He nodded and smiled to a few people along the way. With their duties in the kitchen complete, his kids from the program had secured their own table where they sat with their parents and guardians. Those kids should be proud of the job they did tonight and Neil wanted to make sure their families were there to witness it.
He hoped it would be a night they’d never forget. It was their first time cooking for a party, for discerning customers. And hopefully, at least one of them would go on to pursue a career in the culinary arts. Even if they didn’t, he knew he was providing them with skills they would take with them for the rest of their lives.
Even though this was his party, he was just too anti-social to mingle. He had hoped to see Carson. But her absence sent the message loud and clear. They were over.
He’d screwed up with Carson. Big time. But this event, this venue was something he’d been working on for the last two years. It was more important than his love life. But did he have to be such an asshole? He’d told Carson from the beginning he wasn’t in for a relationship. And it would have been much easier to stick to that deal if she hadn’t changed the terms of their agreement. Damn her.
Penn sidled up to him, looking spectacular in a black dress with a plunging neckline. He thought for sure Cole’s eyes were going to bug out of his head when she walked through the door of the barn. But she didn’t hold a candle to Carson. Who hadn’t even bothered to show up.
“You’re on in five minutes. The bar is flowing, the food is plentiful and the music is a little boring if you ask me but this is a classy event, I have to keep reminding myself.”
Neil groaned. He hated having to talk to a crowd full of people. “Penn, you’ve done a fantastic job.”
“Sounds like there was some doubt as to whether or not I could pull this off.”
Neil held up his hands. He knew better than to argue with a woman, especially Penn. “Never.”
But it made him think of Carson and how easily he failed at that rule. All they did was argue.
“Good, because I managed to get an editor from every design magazine in the country here tonight. I personally invited them.”
“Thank you.” Neil wrapped his arm around her shoulder and tugged her close.
She tensed but when he didn’t let go, or yell psyche, she realized he was sincere and eased into his embrace. “You’re welcome.”
Maybe if he treated people a little nicer, they’d stick around. It was worth a shot.
“Neil?” Cole walked over, Finn right on his tale. “Look who’s here?”
Neil smiled when he saw their old friend, Mark Whitfield, approach. Mark had lived with Finn and Cole in foster care. Behind him was his little sister, Veronica, looking as uptight as ever in a non-descript dress, her hair tied back and glasses atop her thin nose.
“It’s been a long time.” Mark held out his hand. Mark, Cole and Finn had been inseparable from what he’d been told. And every weekend they’d all travel to the suburbs to see Mark’s sister, Veronica, who had been put in a separate foster home.
“Mark, Veronica, this is Penn Foster, our marketing and public relations coordinator.”
“I’m basically the wind beneath their wings,” she joked, shaking both Veronica and Mark’s hand. “You’re the wedding planner?”
Neil had forgotten. Veronica was supposed to coordinate Jack and Sterling’s wedding. Her fingers fiddled with the material of her dress and her gaze darted to her left. Where Finn stood.
“Oh, this is so exciting,” Penn blurted. “Sterling wouldn’t let me handle a thing because she wants me to concentrate on maid of honor duties.”
Veronica smiled. “I’m going to have much more time on my hands in a couple of weeks. Our younger siblings are off to school and I’m so looking forward to getting my life back. Since I’ve had no help from this guy.”
Mark and Veronica had found out eight years ago that their mother had two more children. Unable to leave them in the system, the two of them became their legal guardians.
“You’ve done a good job, little one,” Finn said.
“Ugh…are you going to call me that forever? I’m twenty eight years old.”
