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“I’m talking to Logan.” She placed a heavy hand on her hip. “I’m supposed to meet them in a few weeks.” Her tone was terse, her shoulders stiff.
Serena always looked at the glass half-empty when I tried to see it as half-full.
I spoke cautiously. “Serena, is this really such a bad thing? This could open up other opportunities.”
She narrowed her eyes on me. “Sydney, can’t you see? Having Mahoney Enterprises in the ring will only push Loverly out. And when push comes to shove, who do you think Logan Tyler is going to pick—our smaller boutique firm or Mahoney Enterprises?”
I flattened my mouth. I knew Serena well enough not to argue. “I’ll go with you. Where are you guys meeting?”
“The Capital Grille. Of course, an expensive restaurant.” She rolled her eyes, looking annoyed. “I’m sure Mahoney picked the damn place.”
“A free meal. You can’t go wrong,” I said, smiling, trying to lighten the mood.
She dropped onto her chair and rubbed at her temple. “I’ve been thinking about this way too much. It’s been stressing me out nonstop. I sent Logan the original concept we came up with, and he seemed lukewarm at best.” Her eyes met mine, and a notable crease between her eyebrows formed. If she didn’t stop doing that, she’d develop wrinkles soon. “We just need this to go well. We need it to do amazing. I thought our concepts were stellar. But he just said we’ll talk it over. That’s when he told me that he is bringing in Mahoney Enterprises.”
She rested her elbows on the desk and leaned forward, her eyes looking exhausted and desperate. “Can you ask Austin? Ask him what he thought of the concepts we originally sent over?”
“I doubt he’s even seen them. He told me he’s more of a silent partner. Plus, we don’t talk business. I’m just trying to see him through until his rehab, and then that’s it.”
Wasn’t that the flimsiest excuse known to man? He didn’t need me for much nowadays.
“Talking about business is going to make it awkward. Let’s just not do that, mix business with …”
“Pleasure?” There was this hint of amusement in Serena’s tone that made me shift in my seat.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You’ve been talking about him quite frequently. And according to Lyria, you’ve been getting home later and later.”
I groaned internally. “You’re ridiculous, you know that? I’m not talking to you about this.”
Her eyes had anmmhmmlook in them. “Why do your cheeks turn red every time I mention his name? You flush all shades of red.”
I pressed my palms to my cheeks like the kid in theHome Alonemovie. “My cheeks turn tomato red all the time for absolutely no reason at all, just like Mom.”
There was a twinkle in her eye, and I suspected a snarky comment was going to fall from her lips, but I threw her a look that made the smile slip from her face.
“All joking aside, does he really need that much tending to?” She raised a dubious eyebrow. “It’s been almost a month. When is he gonna get that sling off?”
“Tomorrow. He’ll get the sling off and leave for his rehab in a week and a half.”
“And why do you seem so sad about it?” There was that smile again on her face.
“Stop it,” I whined. “I hate when you tease me. We aren’t kids anymore, Serena.”
“I know; I know.” She eyed me and stood, placing her palms flat against the desk, the smile still heavy on her face. “If we aren’t kids anymore, then tell me the truth. What’s really going on between you and Austin Callaway?”
I groaned and threw a hand over my eyes. “If I say nothing, will you even believe me?”
“Okay, different tactics,” she said coyly. “What have you been doing at his place after hours?”
I gritted my teeth, then decided to give in. She’d know I was lying anyway. “I’m running, okay? I made this stupid list of all the things I still wanted to do, and one of them was run a marathon, so … I’m running again.” My ears felt impossibly hot.
She stood at her full height and blinked in shock. “Running?”
“Yes.” Then, it was like a waterfall of words I couldn’t stop. The explanation fell effortlessly out of my mouth. “Austin convinced me to do it. Make the list. A list of things I always wanted to do but never got to do because…because Mom died. And he made me sign up for the marathon next year.”
When her smile surfaced, it was genuine this time. “That’s awesome, Sydney.”
