AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“This is our table,” I state as I motion to the seats in front of us at the main table.
I pull out a seat for Isa and she sits. I assist her in scooting in her chair and my hand touches her shoulder. I see goose bumps form on her arm.
“Are you cold?” I ask as I lean down, my lips near her ear.
“No…I’m fine,” she manages and then quickly grabs a flute of champagne in front of her and takes a sip. I smirk. Sheisstill affected by me.
I’m about to comment when Cruz comes over to usher me on stage. “I have to go and give a speech. Will you be alright here for a few minutes?” I ask her.
She nods and tips her champagne glass at me. “I’ll be fine,” she assures me.
I follow Cruz to the stage. The room goes quiet.
“Thank you all for being here this evening,” I begin as I look around the room, my eyes finally landing on Isa. “My parents were lovers of many things, but one thing they both enjoyed was reading. Both my parents instilled a love of books in me from an early age.” The crowd is filled with murmurs. I typically don’t share such personal details, but with Isa here tonight, I feel compelled to stray from my planned speech. I can see Cruz’s eyes widen as I continue, “This year’s donations from our gala will go toward several grants to increase access to books for children at schools and in libraries around the country, along with programs aimed to help students who struggle with reading due to learning disabilities. I hope you will all open your pocketbooks and share your success with those who are less fortunate. Enjoy the evening, and thank you for your generosity. The Wellington Foundation thanks you as well as we continue our mission to provide our community and beyond with important resources and opportunities.”
I pause and there’s a round of applause. With a nod of my head, I introduce one of my executives who will be running the charity auction. I head off stage and back to Isa after stopping at a few tables to shake hands.
I can feel Isa watching me, and when I sit down, she places her hand on my arm. I turn to face her and see unshed tears in her eyes.
“Are you alright?” I ask, concern taking hold of me as I look into her eyes.
She gives a wet laugh. “Yes. I…I didn’t realize what the auction funds were going to tonight. Your speech was…I think it’s wonderful what your charity does,” she says.
I smile down at her and take her hand in mine. “You’re the one who does the real work, Isa.”
She frowns. “Real work?”
“I read your proposal,” I state.
Her eyes widen. “You did?”
Nodding, I’m interrupted as my executive toasts me. I raise my glass and then stand and give a little bow as everyone toasts me. Isa raises her glass to me as well, but I sense her reasons are different than the other people in the room. I had read her grant proposal. Last night, I opened that email she had sent so many weeks ago. The grant is from a charity we funded about five years ago. I haven’t told her that. But I was impressed with what she’s been able to do with her library on a shoestring budget. She’s an important member of the Storyview Falls community and her programs have helped hundreds of children.
I sit back down, and Cruz asks me a question, pulling my attention away from Isa for a moment. When I turn back, she’s chatting with the woman sitting next to her, the wife of another one of my executives. I watch her for a long moment. She seems relaxed and confident as she talks about a book, something that was on a bestseller’s list last week.
The auction begins and I watch as Isa claps and laughs along with the other attendees. I catch her gaze a few times and we exchange smiles. I like seeing her happy. I was worried she’d feel out of her element here, but I misjudged her. I was so very wrong, about so many things.
The auction winds down and the band starts to play. I hold out my hand to Isa.
“May I have a dance?” I ask.
“Of course,” she replies as she places her hand in mine. I lead her out to the center of the dance floor and spin her around. She giggles as I pull her back into my arms.
“You look beautiful tonight,” I whisper against the shell of her ear.
She blushes. “Thank you,” she says quietly and then looks down at her gown. “The gown, shoes, hair, makeup, is all…you didn’t have to do that.”
“I know I didn’t have to, but I wanted to. Thank you for agreeing to join me tonight,” I state as I move us around the dance floor. She doesn’t fight my lead for once and something about that makes me feel as if I’ve gained a little of her trust. I hope I have.
“This was…not what I expected,” she admits.
“Oh? What did you expect?” I ask.
Her cheeks turn a dark shade of pink again. “Uh…not this,” she says as she motions around us with her hand.
“A gala?” I ask. But I know the answer. She didn’t know it wasmygala and she certainly didn’t realize what this fundraiser was for tonight.
I’ve kept so much from her. I want to protect her, even if that means protecting her from myself.
