Cole received a call from his mother not five minutes after he’d changed his relationship status on Facebook. Harry was doing his best to take a nap on his computer keyboard and Cole had to keep gently pushing him aside. This was an ongoing battle between them. Funny how Harry only seemed to want to sleep on the keyboard when Cole was there.

“Are you really in a relationship or are you just faking again?” his mom asked by way of a greeting.

“Hello to you too, Mom. It’s for real.”

“Oh thank God. With Fedora, I hope?”

“Yes. It’s official.”

“Oh, honey, that’s wonderful.” He heard relief and joy in her voice and his chest flooded with warmth, not just because he’d made his mom happy, but because he had fallen most of the way in love with Fedora. When he thought about it—and this was pretty often—his life was nothing short of perfect right now. He was healthy, his family was healthy, he had a job he loved going to, he had an amazing woman at his side at work and at home.

“I’m so happy for you. And guess what? I’m so relieved, I’m not going to start hounding you to take the next step. I’ve learned my lesson. You know how I feel. However, I will say, just this once, that it’s not too late to have children.”

“Mom…”

“When you get to be as old as I am and you’re looking at your life to see what you’ve accomplished and what your life was all about, your children are at the top of the list. You’ve made me so proud, son. You’ve accomplished so much. I don’t tell you often enough, but there it is. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without you in it.”

He heard the waver in her voice and because he got a little choked up too, he changed the subject.

“The auction is on Thursday. Are you still coming down for it?”

“You bet your patootie I am. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Fedora’s going, isn’t she?”

“Yes. I wish I weren’t.”

“It’s for a good cause, son.”

“That’s what I keep telling myself.”

“You’re going to pull in so much money, it will be embarrassing. You’ll see.”

Or it could be so humiliating the memory would burn in his brain until the day he died. That fear of being the least popular bachelor still buzzed around like a mental fly no matter how many times he swatted it way. And yet, as he ended the call with his mom, he acknowledged that it was not as strong as it had been.

“Why is that, Harry?”

Harry had won the keyboard war and was busy reveling in the win, rolling around on his back, his tail twitching.

Cole rubbed the cat’s head affectionately. “Do you think Fedora has something to do with it, boy? Is she the reason why I don’t feel so stressed out about going up on the auction block?”

Maybe. He had a girlfriend now. He hoped his self-esteem as a man didn’t depend on whether he had a woman or not. Before, he’d been sure it didn’t. And yet, there was that saying that behind every great man was a great woman. Garnering high bids at the auction didn’t qualify as making a man great, but if he set aside the sexist idea that the woman’s place was behind the man, he could see that two people together could be more than twice as strong as one alone. And the knowledge that a woman like Fedora had chosen him…was it that bad that he drew strength from that?

No. No, it wasn’t. He imagined that was the divine plan, in the long run. Eve being Adam’s helpmate. And vice-versa, as far as he was concerned.

The more he thought about it, the more he embraced this idea. Since they were “Ripdora” now, she’d be even more invested in Hat Trick. Cole had always envisioned them eventually branching out to opening other locations and giving the Yardhouse and BJ’s a run for their money. That had been something he, Flynn and Slater had thrown out there in the beginning as a pie in the sky goal, but at this point, with the Tasting Room being so successful, it wasn’t as impossible as it had originally seemed, despite Slater’s confidence that it could be done, given adequate time. With a talent like Fedora managing the food side, who knew what they could accomplish?

The day she’d met with Anson Lau, Fedora took to the internet as soon as she got home. He’d given her his curriculum vitae and some hard numbers on the financial status of his current restaurants, but she wanted to do some of her own homework. After hours online and on the phone with friends in the industry, she could find nothing nefarious and very little negative. As far as she could tell, this was a smart move for her. Partnering with someone like Anson Lau could potentially catapult her onto the grid as someone to be reckoned with in the industry. And wouldn’t it be sweet to show Mason that he hadn’t damaged her career in the slightest. She fantasized about her and Anson on the cover of Food and Wine, Sunset or some other prestigious publication. That would put that self-important asshole in his place because This Week in Marina Del Rey was nothing compared to that.

The only sticky part was extricating herself from Hat Trick. A war between loyalty and ambition had been waging inside her ever since Anson called with his proposition. She owed Flynn, Slater and Cole a lot. They’d taken a chance on her and given her a position as executive chef, even though she’d never held that title before. They’d supported her, praised her and paid her well, and she’d learned so much. There was no substitute for on the job experience and, needless to say, she’d never have met Anson Lau in the first place if it hadn’t been for Cole and Ruth.

And yet as Kiefer had said, business was business. She wanted to believe that the three amigos cared for her as a person and would applaud and congratulate her. There was a possibility the meeting she’d called would turn out just fine with no hard feelings. She’d heard visualization was a good tool so she pictured the four of them breaking out bottles of ale and clinking them together to celebrate this amazing new career adventure she was embarking upon.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go the way she envisioned.

At all.

As much as she dreaded telling Cole she was resigning, it had to be done. It would be mean and thoughtless to spring the news on him with the other guys, as if he was nothing but a boss to her. So she’d asked him to meet her a few minutes early.

She knocked as she entered his office. She’d worn a Hat Trick T-shirt, jeans and her bright clogs because she had to report to the restaurant later. Her hair was up in only one bun because it made her feel more focused, a little less whimsical than when she wore the two.

Cole stood and met her halfway. When he took her into his arms and gave her a warm kiss, she tried to relax, but she was way too nervous.

Leaning back, he frowned. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

She extricated herself from his grasp. “I have something to tell you.”

“Should I be sitting down?”

She bit her lip. “Maybe.”

Looking worried, he sat in one of the chairs facing his desk and gestured for her to sit in the one across. “Don’t tell me you’re not coming to the auction tomorrow.”

She shook her head. “It’s not about the auction.”

“Thank God. I need the moral support.”

She folded her hands together on her lap because she was afraid they were shaking.

This is business, she told herself. This is not personal. Cole cares about you and he will be excited for you.

She took a deep breath, then met his gaze squarely and said, “I’m giving notice.”

The encouraging expression on his face froze then slowly transformed into one of confusion.

“I don’t…” He shook his head. “Why?”

Recalling the “speech” she’d written up earlier, she said, “I’ve been offered the opportunity to partner up with someone very influential in the culinary world. The plan is to develop a fast casual concept that’s…what? What did you say?”

“I said, who? Who is this influential person?”

“Anson Lau.”

He swallowed visibly and the room suddenly felt ten degrees colder.

“I knew it. I knew he was fucking trying to steal you.” His voice was low and menacing.

“Cole, calm down.”

“Why? Why should I calm down? I think I’m entitled to be pissed off, considering. I mean, here I am, merrily skipping through life thinking that I have everything I could ever want. I’ve been actually thinking that ever since we got back from Seattle. ‘Jesus God, thank you for my life right now. Thank you for helping me see this amazing woman who was right under my nose for over a year.’ Those were literally my thoughts. And then, bam. From out of fucking nowhere, you fucking coldcock me with this.”

“It’s not personal,” she said in a small voice.

“How the fuck can it not be personal?”

“It’s a business decision,” she said. “Just let me explain.”

He shoved his hands through his hair. “No. You know what? This conversation is over. There’s no need to talk anymore or even stick around for two weeks. Your number two can handle it. What’s her name? Jenna? Jenna proved she could do it when we were in Seattle. Plus, look at it this way. You can get started on your new project with Mr. Wonderful right now. No waiting.”

He held out his open hand, palm up, expectantly but she didn’t understand.

When she didn’t respond, he gestured impatiently. “Your keys, please. The keys to Hat Trick.”

She almost reached for them in her purse but managed to find her voice. “I—I have stuff in my office I need to clear out first.” She hated how shaky she sounded.

“Fine. Why don’t you go do that now? I have work to do.” Walking around to his desk, he flicked his fingers at her in a shooing motion. “Close the door behind you, will ya? Thanks.”

Numb and in shock, she left the room and closed the door as he’d asked. Then she just stood there, fighting the tears and wondering if there was any way that could have gone worse.

Just when the emotions that had been rising in her throat threatened to overflow, Slater and Flynn arrived. Flynn held a Starbucks bag and a tray of drinks.

“Hey, Fedora. We brought some yummy—wait a second.” Slater peered closer at her face and she turned away from him. “Hey, Fedora, what’s going on? Someone die?”

She shook her head, swiping at her eyes, not caring if her makeup was ruined. “No. I…Cole…”

The door to Cole’s office flew open. With his suit jacket folded over his arm and his car key in hand, he scowled when he saw Fedora. “I thought you left to get your things.”

“I—”

He spoke over her. “I’m taking the day off, guys. I’m feeling sick to my stomach. Later.”

The three of them watched Cole push past and head right out the door. Flynn and Slater exchanged a look.

“What the hell is going on?” Slater asked. He scowled at Flynn. “I told you this was going to happen.”

Fedora opened her mouth to explain but instead of words, a sob came out. The last thing she wanted to do was fall apart here, but the sight of Cole leaving pushed her over the edge.

“Fuck,” Flynn said. “She’s crying.”

“I know she’s crying, idiot. I have eyes.”

Flynn gestured with the drink tray. “Let’s go to your office.”

Taking Fedora by the elbow, Slater guided her down the hall.

In Slater’s office, Fedora sat on the leather sofa as Slater pushed a tissue box toward her. Flynn put the coffee tray and bag of goodies on the low table.

“Take deep breaths,” Flynn said in a soothing voice. “It’s going to be okay.”

She did. She took several, filling her lungs slowly and exhaling through her mouth until she thought she might be able to manage coherent speech.

“Want some coffee now?” Flynn asked, handing her a cup with her name on it. “I got you your favorite, a caramel macchiato with an extra shot.”

She nodded at him as he sat next to her. “Thanks.”

“And a croissant. It might even still be warm.”

Slater pulled up a chair as Fedora sipped the latte. “So what’s going on?” he asked. “Did you guys break up?”

When a fresh batch of tears sprang from her eyes, Flynn leaned over and whacked Slater, who had raised an arm in defense a little too late. He almost fell off his chair, which made her laugh a little.

“No. I don’t know. It’s just…everything’s a mess.”

She told them what had transpired, this time with a full explanation of the opportunity she’d been given by Anson. Slater and Flynn listened without interrupting. When she was done, she sipped her macchiato and found it had cooled too much. She set it down.

Flynn looked hurt. “You want to leave?”

She nodded slowly. “I can’t pass this up, Flynn. It’s an amazing opportunity.”

Slater had his arms crossed. “And there’s nothing we can say that will convince you to stay? You’ve done such a stellar job. I swear, Hat Trick wouldn’t be as popular as it is without you. Your skill, your dedication…”

“Thanks, Slater, but I’ve made up my mind. Like I said, I can’t pass this up.”

Slater and Flynn exchanged a glance, then Slater shrugged. “Okay then, if you’re sure, let me give you some advice. When you get the contract, have a lawyer look at it to make sure it’s legit, that this guy isn’t trying to take advantage of you.”

She nodded. “I read it carefully, but that’s a good idea.”

Slater went on. “Also, Cole doesn’t have the power to kick you out early. I, for one, would like you to stick around for the two weeks. Jenna might be up to snuff, but I’m sure there are things you can actively teach her now.”

“Agreed,” Flynn said.

She heaved a sigh. “Okay. I’ll stay.”

“For the two weeks, or forever?” Flynn asked. When she winced, he held up his hands. “Okay, okay, it was worth a try. We don’t know for sure anyway until you have that contract checked out.”

“Right. I’ll do that right away.”

“But good on you, if it works out,” Slater said. “I always knew you were meant for bigger things.”