Page 69 of The Unfluencer

All the air in my lungs ignites, catching fire.

I’m so furious I can’t breathe because that’s what he thinks this conversation’s been about? Pitching him for donations?

Cocking my head back, I press my lips in a tight smile. I’m speechless and, frankly, more than a little pissed off.

My heart drums in my ears as I clamp my eyes shut.

“Are you serious?” I ask.

“I heard you on the phone before you boarded,” he says dryly. Then the inflection in his voice lifts, comically high. “‘Think bigger,’ “more buzz,’ ‘more donations and international attention.’ That’s what you’re after, right?”

A hollow laugh claws out of me.

“Oh my God, you can kiss my ass.”

He grins. “Gladly.”

Do not think about how sexy that is. Do not fall for it.

I narrow my eyes at him.

“Not that I owe you an explanation, but since you discerned so much from a one-sided call, yes,” I scoff, losing all pretense. “The ArteryBeat needs all of that. To be clear, the program, not me. I don’t give a flying fuck about your wallet or your donation, like some folks…” I glare accusingly at Mya. “I’ve got bigger worries than what you do with your money, Warner Easton.”

“Oh, you don’t care about my donation?” He snickers.

“No. Ew, you’re so smug.” I feel my upper lip curl just looking at him. “Sir, I own and operate a top-tier gallery. I care about art and artists. So you can keep your little monogrammed checkbook tucked into your fancy satchel with your shiny monogrammed money clip…” I drag in a deep breath, collecting myself. “But you know what? I guess that’s what you would think.”

Warner chews the inside of his cheek.

And just when I think I’ve gotten through to his thick-headed skull, he doubles down.

“Why is that?” He cocks his head, searching my eyes. “Because I’m ‘coldhearted’? ‘Soulless’? Oh, wait, let me not forget ‘cash machine.’ How could anyone ever forget that gem?”

You just brought up donations.

Annoyance flares in my gut.

“Ugh, you’re so infuriating!” It burns me up because he’s so damn fixated on stupid headlines. “But let me set the record straight, in case your hearing is as stellar as your reading comprehension. I didn’t come up with those labels.”

Warner laughs a deep, rich laugh, nodding to himself.

“Oh, right.” He pokes his tongue into his cheek. “You’re just ‘inclined to agree.’”

My attention snaps to him as my comments rush to the surface of my mind.

Shit.

“Oh, you thought I missed that riveting vlog post?” He gives a slight shake of his head. “Let’s see. What was it? I’m like most wealthy folks. Unwilling to show up, to roll up my sleeves and do the hard work to be present. Always jumping at every financial opportunity.” His expression smooths with unmistakable disdain. “You’ve got to admit, that’s good stuff there.”

My breaths quicken, heart thumping wildly against my ribs.

He read my comments to that messy vlogger.

Of course he’s acting different toward me, trying to make me jealous with a flight attendant he just met. If the tables were turned, I’d have more than a few choice words for him.

The silence between us thickens.

He’s got me.