I nod.“The winter celebration.We need to plan the food, the activities… probably test a few games.There must be prizes.We need the whole community involved.”
I’ve been writing down names since he agreed to do the fundraiser, even contacting a few because we don’t have much time, and there’s a lot of people in this community.And I don’t want to leave anyone out.
“Sure.How do you want to do this?”
“A Saturday works best,” I say, tapping my pen against my notepad.“People have Sunday to recover, we have time to clean up, and then Monday, hopefully, we have enough money for the equipment.”
Adrian leans back on the bench, his arm draped lazily over the backrest, fingers tapping against the wood.The faintest grin tugs at his lips.“That sounds like a plan.Could really work to get at least one fixed.”
“Fixing will be less money to raise.”
“I’ll put the money up to host the event.And the goal will be to raise one hundred thousand dollars.”
I nod.“Then let’s do this.”
The feeling between us changes, shifting with a new sense of determination.I flip to the next page in my notebook, the paper crinkling under my touch.As I shift my grip, my fingertip catches the sharp edge.I’m not normally this accident prone, but something’s different today, and I don’t understand why I’m so nervous.
“Ah.”I shake my hand as a sting shoots through my skin.
“Paper cut.Let me see.”
I giggle, shaking my head.“I don’t need a doctor.”
He ignores me completely, taking my hand in his before I can protest.His grip is firm yet gentle, and I don’t bother pulling away.He brings my finger close to his lips.I think he’s going to kiss it, but he stops short, his warm breath brushing over my skin.This is dangerous, and I know it, yet my heart does this little skip that I haven’t felt in years.
I suck in a breath, startled by the gentle warmth of his mouth on my skin.
“Better?”he asks, leaning back.
I curl my fingers, slipping them from his grip.“Is that what you do with all your patients?”
His lips pull into a wolfish grin.“No.You’re the first.”
I roll my eyes, refusing to let his charm get to me.Shaking off the moment, I tighten my grip on my notebook and refocus.“Okay, I’ll put an article in the bulletin and do social media posts to create a buzz, but we need things for people to spend money on.”
“What about gift wrapping?”
“Good idea.”
Adrian nods, his gaze sharpening.“And have volunteers dressed as elves.Make it fun.”
I jot it down.“Christmas photos, too.Some with Santa, obviously, but maybe family portraits as well?Something people can keep.I’ll ask Violet if she wants to do it.”
“That’s a good idea.”
I scribble furiously, my fingers smudging the ink.“A gingerbread house competition?We charge for the base, then extra for decorations.”
“That’s perfect.”Adrian’s grin widens.“You love Christmas, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.There’s something about everyone being together.”
The ideas come faster now, tumbling over each other as we build on them.For a moment, I forget about everything else… the article, my mom, the expectations pressing down on me.Right now, it’s just this.A plan coming together.
I sip my coffee, and the thought of Genevieve sparks a new, exciting idea.“What about a bake sale?”
“Yeah.Christmas cookies, hot cocoa, gingerbread, candy canes.”He ticks them off on his fingers.
I tap my pen against the page.“We could sell sugar cookies kits for families to make at home.I could get Genevive to help with them.”
