Chapter 5 - The Invitation He Almost Threw Away
Trevor nearly declined the gala because the ticket cost too much.
Bianca told him that was exactly why they needed to attend.
“People with money go where other people with money go.”
They were sitting in the kitchen of a house with an impressive entrance and overdue property taxes.
Trevor’s company, Meridian Hospitality, looked successful online.
Its finances told a different story.
Two major clients had left. A proposed expansion had consumed cash without producing enough business. Trevor had borrowed against expectations that kept moving further away.
Now an advisory firm was introducing Meridian to potential buyers.
One possibility interested him more than the others.
Patterson Event Group.
He knew the founder’s first name was Naomi.
He knew Patterson had been his former wife’s name before marriage.
But the idea seemed so unlikely that he dismissed it without investigating.
There were plenty of Pattersons.
The Naomi he remembered had cried over grocery bills.
This company operated in several cities and had recently secured a substantial investment.
Surely those facts belonged to different women.
Bianca, who now handled Meridian’s publicity, had studied the buyer’s financial profile more carefully than its founder’s biography.
“They’re looking at regional acquisitions,” she said. “We need a warm introduction.”
Trevor adjusted his watch.
“Then we’ll get one.”
At Naomi’s house, getting ready for the same evening involved a missing earring and Lily’s strong opinion about lipstick.
“The red one.”
“It’s a business event.”
“You do business in red.”
Ruth, seated on the bed, nodded.
“Compelling argument.”
Naomi wore a midnight-blue dress with sleeves that brushed her wrists. She had chosen it because she could breathe, sit, and lift her arms without assistance.
When she stepped into the hallway, Owen went still.
For one uncomfortable second, old instincts returned.
Was something wrong?
Then he smiled.
“You look happy.”
She hadn’t expected that.
“Do I?”
“Like you’re allowing yourself to enjoy it.”
He offered his arm.
Lily hurried ahead carrying a small purse Ruth had lent her.
The foundation had invited families for the reception and award presentation. Ruth would take Lily home afterward, before the late dinner.
In the car, Naomi checked her phone once.
Grace had sent a photograph of their office television, where several staff members planned to watch the streamed presentation.
Under it was a message.
No checking email. We already changed your password.
Naomi laughed.
Owen glanced over.
“Your team?”
“They’ve staged a very specific rebellion.”
At the hotel, chandeliers cast warm light across the ballroom entrance. Naomi paused as a volunteer fastened a small honoree’s ribbon to her dress.
Eight years earlier, she had sold a necklace to pay a security deposit.
Now someone was guiding her toward a table with her name on it.
The distance between those moments felt enormous.
It also felt crowded.
Ruth was in it.
Evelyn.
Grace.
Every employee who had taken a chance on a small company.
And Lily, tugging at her hand.
“Mom. They have tiny cheesecakes.”
“Then we’d better investigate.”
Across the lobby, Trevor handed over two tickets.
He wore a tuxedo rented that afternoon.
Bianca adjusted his bow tie, smiling as though cameras might appear at any moment.
Then Trevor saw Naomi.
At first, he recognized only the turn of her head.
Something familiar beneath unfamiliar confidence.
She stood beside a tall man while a little girl whispered in her ear.
Naomi laughed.
Trevor stopped walking.
Bianca followed his gaze.
“Oh,” she said.
He barely heard her.
Because a volunteer had approached Naomi carrying the evening’s program.
“Ms. Patterson, the foundation chair would like a moment before your presentation.”
Ms. Patterson.
Trevor looked down at the copy in his hand.
May you like
There, beneath the words LEADERSHIP HONOREE, was his former wife’s photograph.
For the first time all evening, he forgot to check who might be watching him.
