Page 124 of Surprisingly Us

When I made the donation to Leg-Up, it was clear we didn’t need to have a community volunteer day to paint the studios. My donation could pay to paint this place a thousand times over and still have millions left in the bank, but I had insisted that we keep it. It’s what Lettie would want.

Her passion for making tutus, visiting the children’s hospital, and now painting this once underfunded dance school, are moments that give her the satisfaction of connecting with the people and spaces she wants to support. While money is what a lot of programs need, the impact of showing up and getting your hands dirty to make a change is even more satisfying than writing a check. It’s one of the things I remember about my parents’ involvement with their foundation, and now I’m experiencing it firsthand during the time I’ve spent with Lettie.

Lettie moves closer to the front of the group while I hang back for a moment.

“Before we get started, I wanted to make an announcement.” Mila, the program director, addresses the small crowd. Ramsey’s gaze shifts from my profile to Mila. “While our fundraising thisyear has been a struggle, we’ve had a very generous anonymous donor step in at the last minute.” Her eyes meet mine for a beat before moving on. “This very generous donation has allowed us to move forward with the renovation and all our planned programming, but has also given us the opportunity to build a sustainable future here and start dreaming of even more ways to serve our students and this community.”

My gaze drops to Lettie as she dabs at her eyes.

Ramsey appears beside me, he and Sebastian having just arrived. “I still don’t get why you wanted to be anonymous. Your connection to The Spencer Foundation could bring in more donors.”

“There’s no need for other donors now. If they need more money, it’s theirs.”

Ramsey smirks. “Sounds like the start of The Rhys Spencer Foundation.”

I throw him a look, but he just shrugs.

“Wouldn’t telling her about the donation help things between you two? Make for a smoother engagement?”

I considered it. For the exact reason Ramsey is pointing out. I could easily buy Lettie whatever she wants or donate to every charity and passion project she has, but I don’t want her to think I’m doing it because I want something in return. Or that I’m trying to push her to make up.

“Probably, but I want her to see who I am, not be influenced by the fact I used my money to help Leg-Up.” I shove my hands in my pockets, watching Lettie on the far side of the studio passing out paint brushes and trays.

Once the supplies are handed out, everyone is assigned an area to paint.

I pour the paint into the tray so Lettie can place her roller into the soft gray paint. She glides the roller over the wall and I can’t help but snap a photo of her in action. Her hair’s pulledback into a ponytail now and she’s wearing a pair of baggy coveralls that were supplied to her, yet I’ve never been more attracted to her.

“Should we get a picture together?” she asks. “You know, for your socials.”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea.” I pull her into my side, then with one arm wrapped around her waist, I snap a photo. We’re both in baggy coveralls and there’s already a streak of paint on Lettie’s forehead, yet it’s my favorite photo of us so far.

“Community activism alongside your fiancée. The board will be impressed.” She smiles up at me before turning back to continue painting the wall.

That’s what I would have thought weeks ago. It’s the entire point of me and Lettie being together, to show off our relationship to prove I’m worthy, but now, I don’t even want to post the photo. I want to keep it for myself. The photo brings me joy not because of what anyone else thinks but because of the woman I’m here making the memory with.

She’s the only one I care about.

As the thought enters my brain, I wonder if I should be concerned about how badly I want Lettie’s approval. For her to think the best of me. I’ve always prided myself on not giving a fuck what other people think but now that Lettie’s a part of my life, that’s quickly changing.

CHAPTER 36

Colette

“Strawberry, banana, peanut butter and spinach protein smoothie.” Rhys hands me the drink, before taking a seat on the patio across from me, then takes a sip of his own.

“Thank you.” It’s my favorite smoothie from my favorite smoothie shop and I didn’t even have to tell him.

That’s the thing that has been so confusing with Rhys. Outside of blindsiding me with the proposal, he has been thoughtful and sweet. While I took space from him this week, the reality is I’ve missed him.

Painting with him at the Leg-Up community day earlier reminded me how much fun he is to be around. How much I missed his playful grin and the way his laugh emanates in his chest, so deep and full of warmth. But then, it also reminded me how badly I want his lips on mine. How achy I get between my thighs whenever his warm skin touches mine, whenever his firm grip pulls me in close and holds me to him.

“What kind did you get?” I ask.

“Guess.” He holds up his drink which I can see through the clear plastic is pink.

“Strawberry.”

“With?” he prompts.

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