Page 38 of You Had Me at Merlot

“I’m going to twelve as well.”

Jamie’s gaze narrowed, and they seemed to get it at the same moment. “Did Jessica invite you to—”

“Yeah.” Leighton nodded. “Yeah, she did.”

“Coincidence or…?”

“Definitelyor. She’s an astute woman.”

“So she used acharityto set us up to see each other?”

“If it makes it any better, it’s a fantastic one. They’ve helped women across the country get a foot in the door when they really needed it.”

Jamie swallowed, seemingly coming to terms with her fate. “I understand that part.”

Leighton wanted to let her off the hook. “I can let Jessica know that you won’t be able to serve on the committee. She’ll understand.” There it was. Jamie’s get out of jail free card. All she had to do was snatch it.

“But I want to serve. I’m not going to put my own comfort level ahead of the greater good.” She shrugged and faced forward as the elevator pulled to a halt.

“Great. Well. I’ll be sure to give you space. You don’t have to worry about—”

“Leighton. I’m grown up. You don’t have to look after me, okay?” The doors opened and Jamie breezed out, leaving Leighton in the car, staring after her and trying really hard not to look at the jeans and slingbacks combo from behind.

“Got it,” she said, a beat too late.

Jessica had a plate of enormous chocolate chip cookies sitting in the middle of the table like a fucking amazing hostess. Jamie sat right in front of them, making her Leighton’s hero.

“Hi, you two. Just in time. We’re about to get started,” Jessica said, passing them each a navy folder with their name and the charity’s logo embossed on the cover. When Jessica moved out of Jamie’s sight line, Leighton passed Jessica a wide-eyedwhat the helllook to which she passed back a serene-eyedyou’re welcomereply, to which Leighton sent ayou shouldn’t have done thisstare to which Jessica countered with awell it’s too late nowsmile.

“Whatever shorthand that is, it’s impressive,” Jamie said, gesturing between them. The winsome smile helped. It also made Leighton’s heart rate double. What was it about her and Jamie in one space that made the air feel heavy and kept Leighton at full attention?

Jessica brightened. “What? Hmm? Well, we should get started.” She addressed the small committee. “We’re a group of six women on a mission to make as much money in one evening as we possibly can for a very deserving organization. Open your folders and start the clock because we have six weeks until the Gala.”

The group opened their folders in unison and were off. Surprisingly, Leighton enjoyed the contributions of everyone on the team. Jessica had assembled a group of smart and capable women—herself, Jamie, Leighton, Eileen, an established designer in the fashion world, Toni who was a tech executive, and Tess, a women’s health physician. Asthey enjoyed the heavenly cookies from Jessica’s favorite little bakery in the Village, they came up with a list of fundraising ideas.

“Obviously, a silent auction for cocktail hour,” Eileen stated. “People love to jump right in over a glass of wine, which we should have hand passed. No waiting in line.”

“Agreed,” Leighton said. “The fancier the feel, the more they spend. We need to pamper these folks.”

“Could the auction have an online component?” Jamie asked. “We have so many introverts come through the bar each day, and I can guarantee you’ll snag their participation if they can bid from the quiet of their phones.”

“I love that,” Jessica said. “Exactly the kind of enhancement we need. Is there software?”

“There is,” Toni said. “We can even start the bidding a couple of days before so we’re up and running, ready to turn up the heat.”

“But let’s save big-ticket items for the live auction,” Leighton suggested. “I’m pretty sure I can get Courtney to okay a Carrington’s shopping spree in the midtown store.”

“Perfect.” Jessica nodded. “Hit up any big clients, friends, loved ones, and most especially corporations for donations.”

Leighton watched Jamie jot down a few notes, taking in the way her lips pursed when she concentrated. It was everything, and so much more captivating than anything happening in the room.Focus.She couldn’t. She was staring. It was rude, but she couldn’t seem to stop.

“What do you think, Lay?” Jessica asked.

“I have no idea what you just asked me. I’ll be honest.”

Jessica’s mouth pulled into a hint of a grin. Busted. “Just wondering if you thought we should leave a middle aisle between banquet tables. A runway to the stage.”

Jamie looked up from her notebook. “To give the auctioneer room to stroll.”

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