Grayson set the bags down.
“And a check,” he added pulling an envelope out of his breast pocket.
“What a generous donation,” the volunteer gushed.
“You all are doing wonderful work here,” I told her.
“Let’s go,” Grayson said in a low voice.
I ignored him.
“Are there other items you all need? Any way we can offer more help?”
“How generous!” the young woman replied. “Job training is a big thing. A lot of the women we serve have bounced from an overbearing and often abusive father to an abusive husband, and they are afraid of their own shadow. They can barely make it outside let alone hold down a job. As much as we’re thankful for the money, having volunteers to help transition these young women to the workforce would be a huge help.”
“Just let me know when is a good time to come by, and I’ll bring at the very least me and my bestie,” I promised. “I’ll also see if I can’t convince some of my coworkers to come too. I bet if lunch is provided, they’ll totally be there. Here, I’m adding you on my Instagram. We’ll talk and set something up.”
Grayson tugged on my arm.
Before I could tell him to hold his horses, a young woman exclaimed, “Oh my God, it’s you!”
Grayson froze.
Ex-girlfriend?
I looked between the two of them.
“I was never able to thank you properly for the car,” the young woman said, teary-eyed.
“Grayson gave you a car?” I was flabbergasted.
“He saved me,” the woman said, eyes wide. “I was able to move me and my daughter out to Pennsylvania and could get around for work because I had a car that wasn’t breaking down.I just got promoted to general manager. I just came back in the city to drop off some donations; it’s not much, but this organization helped me so much.”
She dabbed at her eyes. “And so did you, sir. How can I ever repay you?”
“No need.” Grayson looked uncomfortable. “I’m glad you’re doing well. We really must be going now, Lexi.”
I waved as Grayson shoved me out the door onto the street.
“You perform, like, aggressive acts of kindness,” I marveled when we were back in the car.
“It’s nothing,” he said.
“And so modest. Let me tell you, I’m impressed. Though it is a little show off-y. I’m over here passing out compliments and stickers while you’re leaving hundred-dollar bills lying around, giving people cars, and other Oprah-level good deeds. I can’t compete.”
There was a smirk on Grayson’s lips.
“I guess you’ll have to up your game,” he teased.
I turned in my seat to look at him.
“You’re a good man, Grayson Richmond.”
“I’m not.” His expression was dark.
“Of course you are,” I said lightly. “Trust me. I don’t care enough about you to lie to you to protect your feelings.”
22
