Peter snorted, took a drink of his punch.

“Peter lived in a huge old castle all by himself because he was too afraid to

go outside where the monsters were. The meanest of the monsters was named Kate.”

Peter shot a glance at his friend, then faced forward again.

“Kate was so mean that she tormented Peter day and night. During the day,

she would try to hold his hand and talk about feelings. And at night she would

threaten to kiss him.”

“Is this going anywhere?”

“Give me break. I'm making this stuff up as I go. One day, Peter realized he

was an idiot, and that if he didn't get off his butt and stop being a spineless weasel he was going to lose Kate forever. So, he drove to Chicago, stuck her in

his roaring red Mustang, brought her home, and they lived happily ever after.

The end. How's that?”

“You left out a few details, but…” Peter said nothing for about ten seconds,

then looked at Lucius straight in the eye. “That's the best story I've ever heard.

Can you watch this table of stale pretzels for me, please?”

“Sure thing.”

Peter spotted Dale Schwartz, the Community Center director, milling by the

double side doors, smiling, and rocking back and forth on his heels.

He had a big favor to ask him.

Chapter Twenty-Five

It was the next Friday afternoon, a little after three o'clock. The full contingent of Nitrovex board members was arrayed before Kate around the packed conference

table. Garman already had the account. She'd decided to run the slogan by John

Wells earlier in the week, and he'd liked the idea so much that he'd cancelled the meeting with the other company under consideration. She'd succeeded with her

first big project. It should have been the highlight of her life, but she was still nervous. This wasn't just her concept. These were her actual designs. She'd spent

all week creating them with the art department. It had been the most fun she'd had at Garman for a while, but she didn't have time to think about that now.

She folded her hands in front of her, making eye contact with the faces surrounding her. “Nitrovex is not only about tradition but innovation. Not just about the past but the future. Not just smelly brown chemicals swirling in a big

vat but about materials and colors for the art industry.” That got a few chuckles.

Kate tapped a key on her laptop. The last slide of the presentation featuring

her new Nitrovex logo faded onto the screen dramatically. “So, what better way

to show the industry all these components. 'Nitrovex—The Art of Solutions.' ”

There were murmurs of approval and nodding heads. John grinned, and

Penny even applauded. Corey Steele, smiling next to her, reached over and wordlessly gave her arm a squeeze.

She moved on to the next slide. The new logo interspersed with some stock

Nitrovex materials, now in a smooth, curving layout. Clean, fresh, but not too modern. Her designs. And they liked them, judging by the approving nods.

This was supposed to be the part where her brain did cartwheels. Where she

pumped her fist with a silent yes. But it all felt as flat and sterile as the blank white walls of the conference room.

The final presentation over, the Nitrovex members filed out, some shaking her hand, congratulating her as if she were now one of the team. She smiled, perfunctorily.

The last to leave was John.

“Kate, I knew from the start you had a feel for my company.”

“Oh, John. I have a whole company behind me. I'm just the spokesperson.”

“No, no, I was right about you.” John adjusted his seed-corn hat. “I've enjoyed having you around here the past weeks. Kind of feel like I know you,

you know? I mean, you are one of us.”

She just smiled. And for the first time, she didn't argue that fact. It even felt

true. “I appreciate that, John. Very much.” She began folding her laptop, unplugging cords, now for the last time.

John checked his watch. “You leaving soon?” he asked.

She cocked her head. “Soon as I get packed up.” No reason to stay, was there?

“Planning on stopping by the bakery before you leave? Might not be back this way for a while, you know? I'm partial to the bear claws, myself.”

Why did he seem to be stalling? “No, think I'll just hit the road.”

He nodded. “Sure. I'll leave you to it, then. And congratulations.” He smiled,

hand out. “You deserve it.”