Nobody here knows about that.
Marshall looked terribly outdated next to the Solar execs with his white button-down and geometrically patterned red tie. Handsome in his own way, yet everyone in the room aged twenty years in the presence of their fetus-clients.
Marshall broke away from the others and headed her way.
Her phone pinged, and she glanced at it almost without thinking. Instantly she wished she hadn’t.
“What is it?” Marshall asked when he reached her. “You have that look.”
She tapped on the notification. She’d set her phone up to alert her whenever a competing design firm posted something on social media, and this was a big one.
“Julia Baumann.” She looked up at Marshall. “You didn’t tell me Innovate was pitching your friend Ashton, too.” She showed Marshall the photo, a cozy image of Julia Baumann and the goatee guy in the next room. “The caption says, ‘Sweet things are happening for Innovate. Details coming soon.’” She frowned. “There’s a winking emoji and sweet is in all caps. Is she sending a message to us?”
He took the phone from her and read the post for himself. “I’m sure you’re reading too much into this.”
“I thought you said we practically had this one ‘in the bag.’”
Marshall shrugged. “We do, Lane. Maybe she’s trying to get under your skin.”
Well, that would be juvenile. Lane groaned. She didn’t want to think about Innovate just before she walked into that room. Julia Baumann had a way of swiping clients right out from under her, and it was starting to feel personal. Lane found most of the design community open and friendly—encouraging, even—but Julia was none of those things.
Lane took another glance at the photo. “They look awfully friendly, Marshall, and you know Julia probably had a solid pitch.”
“Maybe.” Marshall squeezed her hand. “But ours is going to blow them away.”
He couldn’t possibly know that. She thought back to their many long team meetings—how many times had Marshall deferred to her, chosen her ideas and trusted her vision? What if he’d been wrong to do so? What if she’d misunderstood Solar and gone in completely the wrong direction?
No. She shook her insecurities away. Their pitch was ready—and it was on point. JB Sweet himself would have to take note once she presented her plans. She’d finally get that promotion and maybe even take a little vacation to celebrate.
She’d never taken a vacation.
“Come on, forget Innovate. You’re ready for the big leagues.” Marshall walked her over to the small huddle at the end of the room where the rest of their team had gathered.
She barely listened as Marshall gave the team his version of a pep talk. He scanned the circle and was met with overenthusiastic nodding from everyone but Lane. She didn’t do overenthusiastic. She did focus. She did the game face. She did control.
And she did it well.
“Lane, you okay?”
“I’m ready.” She didn’t bother trying to explain her readiness or convincing Marshall she really meant it. That’s what weak women did. And she never wanted to be one of those again.
“Okay. We’ll start in just a few minutes. Knock ’em dead, guys.” Marshall waited until the others had dispersed, then turned his attention back to Lane. “You feel good?”
She nodded as she ran through her pitch in her mind.
“Remember, this is the chance—”
“Of a lifetime.” She cut him off. “I know.” Don’t remind me. I’m nervous enough as it is.
“I went out on a limb to give you this meeting, Lane. You’re up to this, right?” He raised a brow as if issuing a challenge.
“You know I’m up to this.” She clicked her phone’s screen off, wishing she could click off the sick feeling in her stomach that easily.
“That’s my girl.” He clapped a hand on her shoulder. Like she was one of the guys. Very professional.
She had to hand it to him—he was doing an excellent job of keeping their relationship hidden. Even she found it hard to believe he had any romantic feelings for her at all.
“You go ahead,” she told Marshall. “I’ll be right there.”
Breathe. She was running through her opening one last time when her phone pinged again, and as if she were programmed to do so, she pulled it out and glanced at it.
Julia had posted another image, this one a photo of the mock-up Innovate had presented to Solar only hours ago. The caption read, We’re calling it “Solarvate.” Can’t wait to get started.
Lane’s mouth went dry, her stomach hollow. The image on the screen looked so elegant, so regal, so not what she had planned for this pitch meeting.
“You ready?” Chloe stood at her side, looking a little more tired than usual, the way she often did after one of their all-nighters. Lane made a mental note to get her assistant a gift certificate for a massage or give her some time off to thank her for being so helpful.
Chloe had probably seen Julia’s posts too. She kept tabs on them the same way Lane did. But Lane had to believe Solar hadn’t made up their mind already. If they had, would they really be sitting here in JB Sweet’s conference room?
She did a quick survey of Julia’s design, then turned her phone to vibrate. “I’m ready.”
Chloe nodded and moved out of the way as Lane passed by. She smoothed her black dress pants and sat down next to Marshall.
After everyone was seated, JB called the meeting to order. The Solar executives, with their Starbucks to-go cups, their casual shoes, their bordering-on-shaggy hair and impress-me expressions, all turned their attention to the man. Marshall might’ve aged twenty years in the presence of the Solar execs, but next to them, JB seemed downright prehistoric.
Lane had always found him to be a quirky kind of man, one who used words like fellow and had a bushy white mustache that made her doubt the presence of an upper lip at all. Ashton should take a few pointers from JB. That man knew how to grow facial hair.
Lane half listened to JB’s introduction of Solar—stating facts she’d already researched on her own. Next, JB gave a short pitch about why his firm was the best to take on the massive task of creating and designing a branded space for a cutting-edge tech business like Solar.
JB assured them that the space they had planned for Solar was not only functional but truly creative at its core—something the artistic Solar execs would certainly appreciate. JB was nothing if not an excellent salesman. Maybe that’s why this fellow was still running the show after all these years.
Lane glanced down at her tablet, mentally reciting her opening lines, when the phone in the bag near her feet lit up, vibrating loudly enough to pull Miles’s attention.
“Might want to silence that thing,” her coworker hissed.
She fished the phone out of her bag and pressed the button to stop the noise before anyone else noticed, but not before she saw that it was her mother calling. She sent the call to voice mail. She supposed she was due for her monthly guilt-trip phone call—it had been at least that long since she’d spoken to her mom.
In her hand, the phone started vibrating again.
Mom, you have the worst timing.
She hit the button to shut it up, then turned off the power.
Marshall took JB’s spot at the front of the room and introduced himself. “I think we’re ready to begin.” He glanced at Lane.
Just breathe. Part of her, she supposed, would always feel like a fraud. Most days, despite her Northwestern education and years of experience, Lane still felt like she was playing dress-up in the closet of someone much older, much thinner, and much more professional than she ever felt.
And yet she’d mastered the art of playing this part perfectly, as if she were born for the role.
“. . . and we’re sure you’ll be as impressed with her as we are. Lane Kelley.” Marshall spoke her name, pulling her out of her own head.
She met his eyes and he leaned forward as if to will her out of her seat.
Had time suddenly stopped moving?
Lane stood, taking her place next to the big screen. You can do this. She flipped open the cover of her tablet and drew in a deep breath as the image of a mood board that perfectly captured their design popped up on the screen beside her.
She’d created the image herself. Most people were visual, and the images, all of them, needed to conjure the same feelings the space itself would. Every item on the mood board had been carefully—painstakingly—chosen.
Lane knew Solar inside and out, she reminded herself. She’d read every article, every blurb, every tweet and Facebook post that had anything to do with the business this team had built. She was wrapped up in the details—and it was about to pay off.
In spades.
She had her game face on. As she stood there, every insecurity melted away. They were in her world now, and here, she knew how to get things done.
Lane was about to deliver her first sentence when the glass door of the conference room opened and Chloe appeared. She wore an apologetic look on her face and Lane knew her well enough to tell she wasn’t happy to steal the attention.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” Chloe looked at Lane. “Lane, you’ve got a phone call.”
“Can’t it wait?” Marshall spoke through clenched teeth, doing a bad job of pretending he wasn’t annoyed.
Chloe’s face fell. “I’m afraid not.”
Marshall pressed his lips together and glared at Lane, telepathically communicating the words undoubtedly running through his mind: Don’t screw this up.
“Can you take a message, Chloe?” Lane asked. “I’m just getting ready to begin.”
“I don’t think—”
“Take a message,” Marshall cut her off.
“There’s been an accident, Lane,” Chloe said. “You need to take the call.”
A Note from the Author
Every story I write seems to be a snapshot of the journey I’m on, the lessons I’ve learned, and the pieces of life I’ve grown to love. Just Let Go is no different. It was a pure joy to return to Harbor Pointe, this time with new characters, and to explore life through Quinn and Grady’s eyes.
In so many ways, I relate to Quinn—the risk-averse rule follower who is still holding on to past hurts, so much so that she doesn’t even realize how they’ve kept her from moving forward. I’ve been there. I’ve been frozen in the past, unable to break free of the way I thought things were supposed to go.
Maybe you can relate?
Writing this story helped me realize that letting go and moving on are essential if we ever have a hope of living a full, happy, and prosperous life. I’m grateful for the opportunity to explore the things God is doing in my heart through the stories he places there, and I’m especially grateful that you’ve taken the time to read this one.
I know you have a million choices when it comes to what you can do with your time, so the fact that you spent it reading my words truly means the world to me.
I sincerely hope you enjoyed Quinn and Grady’s story, and I would love to know what you thought of it. I truly love to hear from my readers, especially when I get to know you a little better! I invite you to stay in touch by signing up for my newsletter on my website, www.courtneywalshwrites.com, or by dropping me a line via e-mail: [email protected].
With love and gratitude to you,
Courtney
Acknowledgments
To Adam. Always and forever. Me + You. Thank you for being my best friend and for not letting me give up on my dreams, even when they get really, really hard. I count you among my very greatest blessings.
My kids, Sophia, Ethan, and Sam. Of course you know I love you, but did you know that I like you too? A lot. I’m awfully proud of the humans you are becoming.
My parents, Bob and Cindy Fassler. Thank you for never discouraging my big dreams. And, Mom, thanks for being my first reader. Thank you for praying for us and for training me up the way I should go. I thank God for you every day.
Stephanie Broene. I will always, always be grateful to you. You have enriched my life in so many ways, and I am deeply in your debt.
Shaina Turner. Not only are you so much fun, but you’ve been such a fabulous partner in this journey to turning this story into an actual book. What a joy to have the chance to work on it with you. Thank you.
Danika King. Patient. Kind. Thoughtful. Insightful. Where would I be without you? Thank you for all you continue to do to make my books stronger. You are such a gift.
Carrie Erikson. My sister. My friend. My wise counsel. Thank you for being the friend of my heart. And thank you for laughing unashamedly, even when it’s slightly inappropriate.
To Natasha Kern, my agent. Thank you for challenging me to be better and write stronger. I am so thankful for your wisdom on this journey.
To Deb Raney. Always my mentor and always my friend. For all you’ve done to help me understand story—I am grateful.
To Katie Ganshert, Becky Wade, and Melissa Tagg, my precious writer friends who I adore and love. Thank you all for brainstorming with me, for challenging me, for talking story and publishing and life with me. Because of each of you, I feel less alone and completely supported. What a gift you are!
To the entire team at Tyndale. Seriously. You guys are the best. Thank you for what you do every day to shine a light on our stories and give your authors a safe place to create. I am so blessed to sit in such amazing company.
To my Studio kids and families. Thank you for making my “day job” so much fun. What in the world would I do without all of you?!
And especially to you, my readers. I hope you know how special you are. I hope you know that your kind words (either directly to me or via a review or social media) are so greatly appreciated. I hope you know that these stories are my way of sharing my heart with you, and I am so grateful to have that opportunity. You mean the world to me.
About the Author
COURTNEY WALSH is the author of Just Look Up, Paper Hearts, Change of Heart, and the Sweethaven series. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, was a New York Times and USA Today e-book bestseller and a Carol Award finalist in the debut author category. In addition, she has written two craft books and several full-length musicals. Courtney lives with her husband and three children in Illinois, where she is also an artist, theater director, and playwright.
Visit her online at www.courtneywalshwrites.com.
Discussion Questions
How does this book’s title, Just Let Go, relate to the struggles of the two main characters? What does Quinn need to let go of? What about Grady? How successful are they at letting go by the end of the story?
For most of the story, Quinn’s main objective is making it to the Expo so she can see her mother again. Why is she so determined to reconnect with her mother? In what ways has the Expo become an idol to Quinn? What would you say to Quinn if she asked you for advice?
Quinn is notoriously risk-averse: traveling, dating seriously, and skiing are just a few things on her list of fears at the beginning of the book. What is the source of her reluctance, and how does she overcome these fears in the story? What kinds of risks are you afraid to take?
Grady is haunted by his role in Benji’s accident. In what ways do his feelings of guilt impact his life and his priorities? How does Benji feel about Grady’s part in the accident? Why has Benji been able to find peace while Grady is weighed down with regret? Is there a regret in your own life that has been difficult to move past?
Rumors about Grady’s wild lifestyle have spread far and wide via social media, and his reputation is tarnished in Quinn’s eyes before they even get to know one another. Have you ever been hurt or misled by something shared on social media? How can you exercise wisdom regarding what to believe—and what to post or share—online?
Describe Jaden and Grady’s friendship. In what ways are they good for one another? What are some of the benefits of friendships or mentoring relationships between people of different age
s?
Were you surprised to learn that Gus was partly responsible for Jacie’s decision to leave the family? Do you think he made the right decision in telling her to leave? Why or why not?
During the awards ceremony at the Floral Expo, Quinn realizes, “She was so loved. Her life was so good. Maybe staying away was the best gift her mother could have given her.” What does Quinn learn about community over the course of the book? What is the most meaningful way you’ve been supported by friends or family?
Quinn never gets the opportunity to speak with her mother face-to-face, nor do we see Grady reconciling with his father. In spite of this lack of closure, how are Quinn and Grady able to move forward in healthy ways by the end of the story?
Do you watch the Olympics? If so, what’s your favorite event? If a famous Olympian visited your town, what local sights would you want to show him or her?
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Table of Contents
Cover
Half Title Page
Title Page
Endorsements
Copyright
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Just Let Go Page 35