Astrid knocked on Tara’s office door, then waved a piece of paper in the air. “I don’t think Sandy was sick all week.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Read this.” Astrid set the fax on Tara’s desk. It was a resignation letter, with no explanation from Sandy, other than the fact that she was quitting. It was such a shame—she’d been an integral part of the team.
“Did I do something wrong?” If this was an omen of how things were going to go today, Tara was wondering if it might be time to throw in the towel.
Astrid shook her head. “I doubt it. She probably took a job somewhere else.”
“Maybe.” None of this sat well with Tara, but she needed to focus on the task ahead. Then she could begin the process of finding her way with Grant. “Let’s finish getting packed up, grab Clay and head over.”
It took about a half hour to load the model and presentation boards into a Sterling Enterprises van. The three rode over with Clay driving, to a large meeting space the city had rented in one of the hotels near the Seaport location. There was a bustle of activity when they arrived. It was hard not to ogle the models from the other firms that would be presenting. It was hard not to feel intimidated by the whole thing. There were a lot of heavy hitters filing inside, people who Tara had read about or Johnathon had pointed out at social functions. Many were CEO or president of their company. It only underscored Grant’s lack of confidence in the project. He hadn’t changed his mind about joining her today. If he had, he would have said something.
They went inside and set up their materials as instructed, then waited for their turn to make their case. The competing firms were not allowed in the room as one team was presenting, which left Tara to pace in the hall.
“Please stop,” Astrid said with a hand on Tara’s arm. “It will be fine.”
Clay cast a doubtful look at them both. “You don’t know that. It might not be fine.”
Astrid returned his unpleasant expression. “Don’t be so negative. All we can do is try.”
Tara stopped her pacing, but that left her to lean against the wall and tap her foot. Damn, she wished Grant was here. She wished he believed in the things she did. She wished they could find a way, together.
A few minutes later, the Sterling team was called into the room. As Tara crossed the threshold and saw the long table of representatives from the city waiting to be dazzled, she had absolutely every reason to be intimidated. This was it. Do or die.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Tara Sterling and I’m here to represent Sterling Enterprises. We’re very excited for the opportunity to present our plan for the Seaport Promenade.”
Miraculously, it all clicked into place—she and Clay made an amazing team, playing off each other, and explaining the vision that Tara had originally had, fixed by Grant after Tara had made her big mistake, and finally brought to life by Clay’s brilliance. When they were done and exited the room, Astrid and the normally subdued Clay were both ecstatic.
“Okay. I was wrong. That went well,” Clay said.
“I told you.” Astrid swatted his arm. “Now we wait for the city’s answer on Monday.”
Tara had to force her smile. It had gone incredibly well. But it felt empty. It wasn’t the same without Grant here. It didn’t feel like the win she was supposed to get. Not even close. It felt like it meant nothing, all because Grant hadn’t been there to witness it. The thought made her incredibly sad, but it also made her realize that the biggest mistake she’d made wasn’t on the plans for the Seaport site. It had been in letting work, once again, determine her course. She should have worked everything out with Grant first—the personal stuff—and she’d waited an entire week. Once again, she’d let distance be her buffer.
“Let’s head back,” Tara said. “I want to give Grant a full report.” Her heart began to race. It was time to put it all on the line, but for him. Damn it all if he couldn’t give her assurances about love. If she didn’t let him in, everything in her life was going to feel as empty as it did right now.
They were on their way to the parking deck when Tara’s phone rang. She pulled it out of her purse and saw that it was the main Sterling office number. Normally Grant would call her from his cell, but maybe he’d instead picked up the extension on his desk. “Grant? I’m so glad you called. We have to talk. Right away.”
“Ms. Sterling, it’s Roz in reception. There’s been an accident. It’s Mr. Singleton.”
Tara’s head spun. Her vision went blurry. No no no no. This was not happening. She felt queasy. “What happened? Where is he? Please tell me he’s alive.”
“Yes, he’s alive. He was hit by a car.”
“Hit by a car?” Her heart plummeted to her stomach.
“He’s at the hospital downtown,” Roz continued. “If you’re still at the presentation, it’s only five blocks.”
“I’m on my way.” Tara
