Page 46 of Tempting God

Felicity adds, “And wasn’t this rally for the whales your idea?”

“It was.” I sigh. “I just think we need to pause after this rally and maybe…regroup.”

There are more murmurs around the room.

The director of HYPE, Cordelia, claps her hands together. “Okay, people. Don’t freak out. We welcome all ideas here, and Greer is right. We can regroup after the rally. For now, let’s go raise some money to help the whales.”

She gives me a pointed look before she leaves the room.

I sigh. That didn’t go as I planned.

Felicity grabs my arm, pulling me aside. “Are you okay?”

“Of course.”

“Are you sure? That was out of character for you.”

I nod, because I know she’s right. Before today, I was always the person who supported fighting all the problems in the world. There was no limit to what we could do. Now, I don’t see it the same way. All I see is where we’re failing, and I don’t like it. Not one bit.

“I know it was,” I finally say. “But that doesn’t mean I was wrong.”

“You’ve been…off, Greer. Not your usual self.”

“I promise I’m fine.”

She waits a beat. “Okay. Just know that I’m here if you need me.”

“I know.” I smile. “Now, let’s go save some whales.”

The rally has a great turn out and we raise double the amount of money than our goal. But the victory doesn’t seem as sweet. Not this time.

And I don’t know why.

Cordelia gets my attention with a nod of her head and says, “Greer. A word?”

I knew this was coming. Hell, if I was in her place, I’d pull me aside, too.

I follow her to the now empty conference room and take a seat across from her.

“Greer, you know I’ve always supported you. Your family name brings a lot of bad press to HYPE, but we’ve always looked past it.”

Her tone immediately rubs me the wrong way. Yes, my last name has brought bad press to HYPE, but it’s also brought in supporters who, like me, want to stick it to my family. She acts like she’s done me a favor, when, in reality, I’ve done her a favor.

But this is a game, and I know I must play nice. For now.

So, I say, “And I appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

“Yes, well, that doesn’t mean you have a right to take over my meeting and?—”

My phone rings, cutting her off. I glance at the screen before silencing the call.

“So sorry about that. Please continue.”

“As I was saying?—”

My phone rings, and I silence the call. Again.

“Ms. Blanc, maybe you should step outside and take your call. While you’re out there, perhaps you should also think about what you’re doing here at HYPE.”

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