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They’re hearing TikTok and Twitter and tabloid garbage every time I open my mouth.
They’re wondering if I seduced him or if I’m just the latest in a slew of young, dumb girls who didn’t know any better.
They’re thinking Shepherd Foster is another rich, older goat who creeps on younger women, then hands out professional favors like candy.
A chill sweeps down my spine every time their gaze zips over me. I’m extra glad I dressed modestly today.
Oh, sure, they nod along every time I stress how critical sea otters are to the coastal ecosystem. The woman frowns with real heartache when I point out how their population crashed in perfect correlation with invasive industries.
They give me all the polite applause I could ever want at the end, and a big, blocky man thanks me and calls it an impressive speech.
But deep down, I’m thinking I blew it.
The board won’t sign off on a purely charitable venture like this when it’s tainted by egos and nasty whispers.
They’ll cave to the public spectacle around Shepherd and me. All made worse by the fact that it’s compounding the mess with Vanessa Dumas.
I wonder if they’re even plotting to remove him as CEO, assuming they can.
That makes my heart sting.
But I’m more surprised than anything to find Shepherd standing in the shadows in the back of the room when I pack up my laptop and leave.
How long has he been there?
Did he really take time out of his crazy schedule to come listen to me?
“God himself would’ve been convinced by that, Destiny. Hell of a job,” he says crisply.
I’m drowning in butterflies, but I also feel weak.
“Well, maybe he can help sway the board then. I doubt they’ll approve it, and it has nothing to do with anything I said...”
His eyes sharpen, searching mine.
I stand there in front of him, knowing that all eyes are on us now.
If their minds weren’t made up during the speech, I’m sure they are now, seeing us together like this, standing far too close and whispering to each other.
“You made your points and you showered them with proof. That’s what matters,” he growls, his blue eyes dark and stern and so hypnotically lovely I lose myself in them without a fight.
“Thanks. I was so nervous.” My tone is stilted, formal, so I offer him a quick smile to make up for it.
“Nervous? Bull. You were confident with your findings. I listened to the whole thing. Every slide was well thought out and documented.”
“You know what they say... fake it till you make it.” My smile trembles a bit.
“No illusions needed, Miss Destiny. Leave the rest to me.”
My eyebrows go up as he starts moving past me. “What does that mean, Shep—” I catch myself “Mr. Foster?”
“I have to go.” He glances at his watch, the one status symbol he seems to wear religiously. It’s a ring of solid gold that must cost more than most people’s annual salaries. “I have another meeting in five. However, I told you I’ll handle this if they need more persuading.”
It’s so hard to stand. I’m almost giddy knowing he wants to fight for me, but also knowing he shouldn’t.
It isn’t fair.
If anything, it’ll only fan the flames we desperately need to stamp out.
