“Say no more.” Chase didn’t so much as hesitate. “Just point me in the right direction, and I’ll load up whatever you need.”
“Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.”
“No problem. That’s why I’m here.”
“In that case, as soon as Scottie finishes with what she’s doing over there, she can show you what’s ready to go. I’m not sure where you parked, but there’s a door right back there.” She pointed to a steel door near the room’s far back corner. “You should be able to back right up to it. When you’re ready to head out, just exit the parking lot the same way you came in.”
“Sounds simple enough.”
“That’s a huge load off my mind, so thank you.”
“Wait.” Scottie looked up from what she was doing to look directly at Sloane. “Does your guy knows how to set up the food warmers at the center?” Her gaze bounced from her boss to Chase and then back to her boss. “If they’re not set at the proper temps, the food could ruin before the fundraiser even starts.”
“Crap.” Sloane blew out a breath. “I didn’t think about that.”
“What if you went with me?” Chase turned his gaze directly to Scottie’s. “I can drive, we both unload and then you can make sure the warmers are set up how you want them. Easy peasy.”
Easy peasy?
Easy for you to say.
Riding alone in a van with the only man she’d ever loved—the same man who still starred in all her very best dreams—would be anything but easy. But she could suck it up and do this. For the shelter and Sloane.
For the women who have had no other choice but to come here.
“Uh…sure.” Scottie nodded. “Of course. Just give me like…five more minutes to finish this up.”
“See?” Chase looked back at Sloane. “Crisis averted.”
“Thank you so much.” The woman in charge slid her gaze in Scottie’s direction. “Both of you. Just make sure to leave yourselves plenty of time to get ready, as well. Tonight’s gala may be on the smaller side, but it’s the most important night of the year for the shelter. The donors who will be in attendance are well-known and highly respected throughout the community.”
Scottie snorted a little. “Not to mention, they have more money than any of us would know what to do with.”
“That, too.” Sloane grinned. After a quick glimpse of her watch, the other woman clapped her hands together and nodded. “Okay, then. If you two have the food covered, I’m going to go make a call and check on the decorations. If everything on the center’s end has gone according to plan, they should be finished by now.”
“Go,” Scottie ordered her boss with a smile. “We’ve got this.”
“Thanks again, guys.” The shelter’s director turned to leave. With a blind wave as she walked, Sloane offered a parting, “If I don’t see you before, I’ll see you tonight!”
“See ya!” Scottie hollered back.
A second later, she found herself alone in the kitchen with Chase once more.
“Well,” she said, securing a large foil lid on the last remaining pan. “This stuff’s ready if you want to go grab the van.”
Chase gave her a friendly salute. “On it, boss.”
Scottie couldn’t help but reward him with a smile.
3
Later that evening…
“Hey, Scottie!”Natalie Hayes emerged through the event center’s swinging kitchen doors.
Looking even prettier than she had earlier in the day, the CPA-turned-activist had her hair curled, her natural beauty highlighted with a bit of makeup, and she was wearing a gorgeous silver gown with an empire waist.
“Hey! Oh, my gosh. Iloveyour dress.”