“Doctor,” he says, reaching out for her hand. “Good afternoon. We’re so honored to have you here tonight.”
“I am delighted to be here,” she says, squeezing his hand. She and her husband walk inside and Caleb flashes his eyes at me in a big smile. “Everything is going amazingly.”
“I know,” I say, grinning back.
“And you are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“You must not get out much,” I playfully snap back. Geez, I need to get away from this man. Every compliment he throws my way reignites something deep inside of me. It’s taking every ounce of my willpower to extinguish the feelings he gives me.
The gala is such an incredible success. I actually regret that Jenny is mad at me because if she weren’t, I’d totally be calling her right now to gush about how great things are going. The food is terrific, the DJ has perfect timing with his songs and volume control, and the guests are all amazing. The silent auction is getting a lot of bids and everywhere I look people are smiling and having a good time. This is hands down the best event I’ve ever planned, and I had barely any time to do it.
After dinner plates are swept away and the staff brings out dessert, I change the projection screen to the Rex slideshow. Caleb takes the stage with Rex by his side. His presence is strong and commanding, and it’s one of the rare times I see the police officer in him come to the surface. He’s a good public speaker, but keeps it humble somehow with his boyish grin and frequent thanking of everyone for being here and donating.
Rex does a great job, too. He sits next to Caleb, looking around quietly. He doesn’t whine or bark, but he’s clearly a little bored. He’s being such a good boy, though. When we get to the final slide, Caleb explains how Rex is up for adoption now, after a few months of living on the facility and getting additional training to work out his aggression issues.
The audience claps. I expected to see some teary-eyed emotions because I’m playing that sad but hopeful music in the background and the slide show is one of my best works. I leanedfully into ethos, pathos, and logos to make sure we convince every person here tonight that the Alden Foundation is a worthy cause.
The one thing I don’t expect is how some people in the audience start asking Caleb questions about the foundation and working dogs in general. This is clearly his wheelhouse, and he answers each question happily. Rex, however, looks extra bored. High energy working dogs are not a fan of sitting around. It’s been half an hour.
I move through the room, to the corner of the temporary stage, getting Caleb’s attention.
“Ladies and gentlemen, can we take a moment to appreciate this woman right here, Miss Charlotte Brooks?” Applause fills the room. “Come up here,” he says, winking at me when he sees my horrified expression.
I swallow.
Being in the spotlight is the opposite of a party planner. My job is to stay far out of the spotlight. My job is to shine the light on other people. But he’s smiling and holding out his hand to me, and I can’t possibly say no. I take his hand and walk up the two steps to the stage. Rex walks over, tail wagging as his head tips up to me, wanting pets.
I run my hand across the top of his head.
“Charlotte is our event planner for tonight. Everything you see here has been meticulously planned by this incredible woman. Let’s give her another round of applause.”
I give a quick wave to the audience. “Do you want me to take Rex back to his kennel?” I ask softly.
“That’s perfect, thank you,” he says softly back, holding the microphone away. I give another awkward wave to everyone, then take Rex’s leash and let the restless dog eagerly rush me off stage.
We go straight outside into the fresh air, free from shining lights and hundreds of eyes looking at us. I take a deep breath, calming my nerves. “I’m not a fan of being on a stage,” I tell Rex as I carefully walk over the gravel path. He’s not paying attention. He’s staring straight ahead, body rigid. “What is it?” I say, looking up.
A man stands in the path, the cell phone in his hand lighting up his face. He smiles. “Hello there.”
Bobby Bryan.
“This is a closed event,” I say, keeping my eyes on Rex. “Let’s go, Rex.”
“I have an invitation,” he says, stepping in my path. “I’m here on my father’s behalf.”
“No one from WLB Construction sent in an RSVP,” I say, hating how my voice sounds weak. I’m trying to stay cool but I can’t stand this man. He was cruel and manipulative. He was the worst four years of my life. “Therefore there is no seat for you.”
“Oh, come on. I just wanted to say hi.”
“Hello,” I say, trying to walk forward again. “Goodbye.”
“Don’t be like that, Charlotte.” Bobby reaches out a hand, trying to graze my arm, I guess, but I yank my arm back.
“Don’t touch me.”
At the end of the leash, Rex lets out a low rumbling growl. The deep sound sends a shiver of fear down my spine, but it’s not me he’s looking at.
“Wow, down boy,” Bobby says with a sarcastic laugh as he lifts up his hands in a mock surrender. “You gonna sic your dog on me just for saying hi?”
