Page 103 of Matchmaking the Rival

I didn't register anyone else in the room. Except Meredith. I looked straight at her as I walked up to the stage. The presenter gave me a gold plaque. I didn't have time to read what was on it. I lowered it, grasping it tightly in my left hand. I spoke into the microphone.

"Thank you, everyone. This is a great honor. I'll be honest, I was looking forward to stepping up on this stage ever since the competition started." Several people in the audience laughed, but I heard some groans too. "As some of you might know, The Boston Coffee Expert had a couple of rough years, but since I took over, I made it my life's ambition to restore the quality to what it was during my grandfather's time. I'm dedicating this prize to him and my grandmother."

I wished they were here, but I’d instructed Rupert, my VP of sales, to film this so I could send it to them.

I looked at our table, nodding and holding out the plaque toward my team. "Thanks to everyone on my team. They’re all dedicated hard workers and stuck with me every inch of the way. Thank you."

I nodded at the presenter, stepping down from the stage and walking toward my table.

“Congratulations, Cade. I already sent the video to your grandparents,” Rupert said.

“Thank you.” I shook hands with everyone. They’d put a lot of effort into the competition. We’d had a discouraging few months, what with the mishap in Jacksonville. Rupert himself had joined me there. He’d found the subcontractor who ended up saving our asses. I was proud of my team.

My phone rang a few seconds later. My grandmother was calling. I answered right away.

"Cade, we are so proud of you. Even if you didn't win, we would still be proud of everything you've done,” she said.

“And the man you’ve become,” Grandfather added. “Congratulations, boy.”

Both their voices were uneven. My throat closed up, hearing this high praise from the two people who meant so much to me.

“Thank you both. I did it for you, for us.” As I put the plaque on the table, I searched for Meredith across the room. I wanted her here with me to share the celebration. I was damn proud to be celebrating with my grandparents and my team, but something was missing.

Meredith was missing.

***

Meredith

Iwas clapping so hardthat my palms were itching.

"I knew he'd win," Sonya said.

"I had the feeling too.” I nodded in full agreement. I hadn't hoped he would win just because the product deserved it, but also because I knew how much it meant to him. How I wished I could be closer to celebrate with him.

"I was hoping that ass wouldn’t win," Alfred said behind us.

Sonya sighed. I was taking my cues from her, and it seemed even she was unhappy having to schmooze with him. Were we supposed to keep this up the whole evening? I was already exhausted from my previous interaction with him. Why did he come over to our table again anyway if all he could do was be negative?

"I'm going to have a word with the committee afterward. It's unacceptable that I didn't even get an honorable mention," Alfred said.

What a sore loser!

"I'm going to get another cocktail,” Sonya said, standing up from her chair. "Anyone else want something?"

She couldn’t keep ghosting me whenever Alfred approached. Arthur and our VP of sales went with her, once again leaving me with him.

To my dismay, Alfred sat down in the chair Sonya vacated. I put on my poker face. I only had to keep the charade up for a bit longer.

"Meredith, how do you feel about not even making it to the last stage?"

Is that a trick question?“Disappointed, of course. But the caliber of participants was very high.”

"You’re a diplomat. Might make a good asset on my team after all."

"Oh?" I asked in surprise. For some reason, I'd warmed to the idea of looking for a new place to work, just because Alfred seemed like an asshole.

“Whitley’s a dog. He’s not serious about you.”

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