I wiggled backward, planting my butt firmly on the desk, my legs swinging back and forth.
“Weddings.I started that whole enterprise.”I scrunched my nose.“I probably wouldn’t have had I known it was bridezillaville.”
I shook my head and carried on.
“I love doing fundraisers.Every year we throw a huge family affair.There’s a little girl in town with autism.You’ll see her at school, I’m sure.You can’t miss her.Big yellow lab follows her around like a sunny shadow.Anyway, service dogs are insanely expensive.They’re funded, but not entirely.The first year, we raised enough money for her mom’s portion of the cost.”
A smile creased his cheeks.“That’s amazing, Harley.You made a huge difference in that child’s life.How long have you been doing fundraisers for the community?”
“This will be our fourth year.I’ll speak with Pearl at the rec center.Maybe we can donate to the rec center this year.”
“What did you do the other years?”
“The second year we raised enough money to kickstart the animal shelter.The third year we set up an underground railway style women’s shelter aptly named ‘Safe at Home’ with five safe houses situated around town.Luckily, we’ve never run out of room.”I grimaced.“At the same time, we usually have three homes filled at all times.”
I shook off my distress.“This year I want to add an evening component, adults only.Maybe have a silent auction.Wine and cheese.Hors d’oeuvres.Childcare on-site just for that evening.”I deflated.“But my parents are wary.They don’t think it will fly.”
“But it always does.”
I met his eyes steadily.“Always.”
“I bet,” he murmured, then dropped his ankle and stood up, towering over me and far too close.
Slowly I tilted my chin back to look at him.
And my fucking panties flooded.
He studied me for a moment, his eyes hooded.“I’ll leave it with you.I don’t want you to get all out of sorts if it can’t happen, okay?I understand.”
“I’ll do my best,” I promised.
“Excellent.We can meet to discuss the outcome tomorrow.Is afternoon or evening better for you?”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yeah.I need to get a plan together by the end of next week.The sooner I get moving on this, the better.I hate to inconvenience you…”
I waved away his concerns.“No, no.Don’t worry about it.”I stared off into space.Time was ticking towardthat day, and I didn’t want to take my mood out on Daire.The afternoon would be easier.
“Is tomorrow afternoon okay?”
I’d only have to keep up the pretense for a few hours.Saturday night I’d stay home and prepare.Because Sunday was my day.My day to let go and give in to the grief I bullied into submission every other day of the year.
“That’s great.I’ll pick you up at your place at two.”
“What?I can just meet you somewhere.”
Stepping back, he was suddenly all business.“It’s no problem.I gotta jet.Thanks so much, Harley.I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I sat on my desk staring after him as he strode out of the room.
I gave my head a shake.
What the hell just happened?
11
Dreams
