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“I’ve got about five people in mind for you already,” Brendan said immediately. “Let’s start with Mary de Lorca. She’s been a major donor for Senator Wilson. She travels between Connecticut and DC, and she'll donate to your dance company. Trust me, she'll give you a lot.”
Sonia shook her head in disbelief. “How are you so sure?”
“Let’s just say she likes me.” Brendan sounded so damn smug. “All you need to do for her is throw in season tickets with some VIP perks. I'll take her to the shows and be attentive.”
Sonia’s stomach flipped. Brendan coming to her shows next season — she hadn't allowed herself to think that far, to picture Brendan in her future.
“Attentive, huh?” Sonia asked crisply. “Will you sleep with her?”
Brendan laughed. “She’s fifty-eight.”
“I don't see that stopping you.”
“I’m not going to sleep with her. She'll be happy to support you.”
Excitement bubbled up inside Sonia. This couldn’t really be happening. It was so easy, so right— “This sounds way too good to be true.”
Brendan exhaled. “It already is true.”
Sonia stopped short, gripping the edge of the dresser. “Wait, what are you talking about?”
“I already asked Mary. She promised that she'd give.”
“Brendan, what the fuck? I told you before that I didn't need help! And you just went ahead and arranged everything?”
Sonia couldn't believe she was arguing with an actual donation at stake. But this was so presumptuous. So...Brendan.
“Sonia, listen. You have to seize the chance when it comes up. I ran into Mary at the event last night. I knew she had a dance background, so I told her a very talented friend of mine had started a dance company with the goal of broadening body acceptance. She jumped on it. When I showed her the video I took at your show, she fell for you. Who wouldn’t?”
“Don’t try to charm me—”
“She wants to meet you. Trust me, she’s well-connected. If she donates, her friends will, too.”
“But why keep it a secret? Brendan, you should have told me!”
“You were being stubborn,” he said softly. “You didn’t want my help. I was going to tell you this weekend. Worst-case scenario? You’d be pissed, you’d hate me, and you’d call me a manipulative bastard. Nothing new there. Hell, I’ve come to enjoy it.”
Sonia pressed her lips together, but a laugh burst out. “I really don't believe you.” She took a deep breath. “Thank you.”
“You're welcome.” Brendan sounded ridiculously pleased with himself.
“I should have asked you for help sooner. You're good at this.”
“Pleasure’s all mine, sunshine.”
There was a strange feeling in her chest. This was how it felt to be taken care of. It was hard to respond, but Brendan jumped in to rescue her.
“By the way, thanks for doing the dishes. Jonah couldn’t stop talking about how nice you were, even though you were trying to sneak out of my apartment.” Heat washed over Sonia’s cheeks. “While we're at it, how about I give you a ride to Ian and Di's wedding?”
Don't push your luck,Sonia wanted to say. But the words caught in her throat and tugged at that strangeness inside her.
She let out a long breath. Why was she fighting so hard? Couldn't she accept that it felt good to hang out with Brendan and he genuinely wanted to do nice things for her?
She tried to steel herself as she felt her walls crumbling. He was reeling her in, which was exactly what she'd meant to avoid.
Maybe, though…maybe she could really trust him.
“Okay, Bren.” A smile sneaked across her face. “Just tell me when to be ready.”
