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I open my mouth, even though I probably shouldn’t speak because I’m just the assistant, but again, I can’t seem to stop myself. “I have a thought.” I hold up both hands. “And you can take it or leave it. But in my research on philanthropy, I’ve learned that having a strong charity arm of a corporation is one of the biggest factors of overall success in a company. There’s a phenomenon out there that indicates a company’s philanthropic efforts really do increase overall profitability.”
I pause, glancing around the room, shoring myself up. “So, I’m interested to know what Tate International’s charitable contributions look like and if you could beef things up.” I raise a shoulder.
Sebastian and Oliver both speak at once, with Sebastian insisting, “Our charitable contributions are solid,” while Oliver mutters, “Our contributions kinda suck.”
I release a nervous shot of laughter. “Well, which one is it? I think if you were to revisit how much you’re giving and to whom, you might find ways you can maximize. I don’t know. I mean, it’s karma, right? It can only be a good thing in the long run.”
Sebastian hesitates, but his forehead is wrinkled in thought. He’s not laughing it off or thinking it’s a ridiculous idea. “There are stipulations within my goals for the year that require a certain amount allocated to charity, so I should look into this.”
Serena leans forward in her chair. “And there are tax breaks to consider here. Moving the financials around in our contribution portfolio could free up some capital in the form of government rebates, too.”
“Plus, it’s just the right thing to do. The more you give, the better things turn out.” Alec nods slowly.
There’s a pause several seconds long, and I start to squirm. “You know that the arts are important to me,” I say. “In my work getting grants for the Capistrano Players, I’ve come across many worthy causes. There’s a great need, especially funds for arts education in schools.”
Sebastian’s studying me carefully. “I’d like to explore my options with all the needs in the arts community. It would be nice to give funds to local organizations.” He scoots his chair back, a sign that the meeting is ending and everyone else can do the same. “Okay, we’ll look at that charity arm, see what we can do.” His mouth is bunched up in a harsh line as he makes eye contact with everyone in the room, one at a time. “Thanks for coming, everyone.”
“It might not be a bad idea to bring Gabriel over to have a look at things,” Oliver says to Sebastian amongst the din of everyone getting up to leave.
Sebastian hesitates and then nods once. “Elianna, can you please schedule a phone call with my brother Gabriel tomorrow?”
I barely have time to nod before he’s gone, long, urgent strides out the room and down the hall. I hate running after him like a simpleton, but that’s sort of what I’m doing in my slip-ons that I shouldn’t have worn my pantyhose with, as my feet are slipping and sliding out of the shoe at the heel. But the ‘90s were a prime time for pantyhose of all textures and colors, and I’m particularly enjoying that old trend right now.
I reach him as he’s stepping into the elevator. “Was there anything else you wanted me to make special note of from the meeting today?”
His gaze rakes over me and the corners of his mouth twitch. Just as he’s about to reward me with one of his genuine smiles, his lips turn down. “No. But can you reach out to Drake for some cashews and an orange juice? And go talk to Maggie in HR to make sure those new hires have everything squared away for their training tomorrow.
Standing in the corridor, I nod rapidly and whip out my company-issued phone to text Drake.
The elevator door is closing. He might need to be alone right now, something I’ve been learning more and more. Sebastian’s an introvert and needs his downtime. But right before the doors close, his eyes flash with a look, a smoldering, inquisitive look. It’s the kind of gaze that someone you’re dating gives you from across the room, which sends my pulse rioting throughout my body. He mouths a silent “thank you” before the doors close.
Chapter 14
Sebastian
“Mom?” I take a step back from the double doors of my penthouse suite and she eases past me.
Her laugh takes me back to my childhood, the happy parts. I whirl around.
“Don’t look so shocked to see me, Sebastian. I decided to come with Gabriel. It’s been a while since I’ve been to Longdale.”
It has been. Probably since we opened the resort five months ago. “Gabriel didn’t tell me you were coming, that’s all.” I shoot him a look as he enters too, and his eyes squeeze together in sympathy.
I lead them from the entryway hall into the great room of my suite. Gabriel’s someone I can’t really be mad at, though. He’s the middle child, a little quieter than Oliver, and he’d do anything for anyone. He shoves his hands in the pockets of his casual joggers and looks around the room. “I forgot how much you souped-up this suite.”
I thought it was just going to be Gabriel coming in from Denver, so I didn’t bother to clean up. Who cares what he thinks about a few empty take-out containers and some wadded-up paper napkins? And the books. I have a habit of reading four or five at a time, all non-fiction, and they’re all lying open and dog-eared with notes and stickered flags poking out every which way.
But it’s mom, and I’d rather not have her see my place like this.
“Yeah, well—” I reach around him to grab some of the containers Drake left yesterday. The cleaners haven’t been by yet.
My office? It has to be tidy or I’ll freak. My bedroom and bathroom? Same. But this room, for some reason, I have the hardest time keeping clean.
Mom catches a glimpse of the containers as I take them over to the garbage. She sits down on the sofa and pushes up her dark hair. “When I heard you needed Gabriel’s help, I was excited. He’s done some good work for us the past few years.”
“Well, he’s the only person I’ve ever known who’s gotten a degree in Philanthropic Studies, so he’d better be an expert.” I have to tease him. It’s written somewhere in our genetic code as brothers.
“I am,” he says, giving a slight smile.
