Page 195 of Surprisingly Us

A hand squeezes my shoulder and I turn to find my grandfather beside me.

“Rhys, I need a word.”

“Sure.” I nod to the rest of the group. “Excuse me.”

My eyes seek out Lettie’s, but her back is to me now, so I follow him into his study where Jerrod is waiting for us. I’ve been able to avoid him most of the night, so my mood is soured the moment I see him leaning against the bookcase with his arms folded across his chest.

“What is it?” I ask, my voice laced with irritation. I can’t help it. That’s what Jerrod’s mere presence does to me.

My grandfather leans against his desk. He’s positioned himself between me and Jerrod like a referee. “It’s been brought to my attention that you’ve made a substantial donation to Leg-Up, the community dance studio that Colette was fundraising for.”

“Ten million dollars,” Jerrod adds.

I want to roll my eyes. He’s like a parrot on my grandfather’s shoulder, chiming in and annoying the fuck out of me.

“It was supposed to be anonymous.” My eyes flick to Jerrod. “But somehow my information was leaked.”

His eyes hold mine for a beat before he blinks and looks away.

Mila, the director of Leg-Up, had been profusely apologetic when I talked to her about it this week, and assured me that all my financial information was confidential, but clearly someone on the Leg-Up board had dropped my name and it spread from there.

I glance back at my grandfather.

“The donor leak doesn’t even matter now. So, what’s the problem?” I ask.

“That’s a large donation for such a small non-profit,” Jerrod squawks from his perch. It’s clear he’s the instigator of this inquisition. That he brought this information to my grandfather, and my grandfather is doing his own due diligence. Making sure I haven’t done something dishonest that would tarnish theSpencer name and make being voted in as board president a PR crisis.

My grandfather nods. “Was the donation an incentive for Colette to say yes to a proposal after only a month of dating?”

“No. We’ve known each other our whole lives. We were friends. And now, we’re more. Lettie had no idea I made the donation to Leg-Up. She was just as surprised as everyone else when my anonymous donation was leaked. And Leg-Up won’t be small now. They’ve got funds for years of programming and maintenance. It’s an organization that I’m passionate about as well as Lettie. I’m personally excited for them to explore some mobile programming that they can take to facilities outside the studio, like children’s hospitals and activity centers that don’t have dance programs.”

Jerrod’s eyes narrow at me. “This is an interesting turn of events. Rhys Spencer actually cares about other people? Shocking.” His words drip with derision.

I take a step closer to Jerrod. “And it’s an interesting coincidence that you and Corinne are friends with Diem Vega who’s on Leg-Up’s fundraising board.”

His appearance, shoulders back, hands casually in his pockets, projects confidence, but upon closer inspection I see the distress in his eyes. That underneath his cool exterior, his nerves are frayed and he’s losing control of the situation. He didn’t anticipate I would be this much of a threat, but now that I am, he’s worried. And all his digging into my finances and relationship with Lettie is his way of trying to take back the reins.

Jerrod steps forward to match my movement. “What are you accusing me of, Rhys?” he asks.

My brows lift in challenge. “What are you accusing me of, Jerrod?”

“Gentlemen.” My grandfather raises his hands between us. “I’m all for a healthy competition but this is getting too heated.” He looks to me, his eyes wary. “Is your relationship with Colette bogus?”

“It’s not.” I’m relieved I can answer truthfully.

“He bought her a house on Lake George,” Jerrod argues.

“What the fuck, Jerrod?” I growl. Lettie doesn’t even know about the sale of her parents’ lake house yet. I wanted to make sure it was a done deal before I told her about it.

“Language.” My grandfather looks to me. “Is that true, Rhys?”

“Her parents were selling it as part of their divorce, and yes, I purchased it, but that has nothing to do with the foundation. It’s my money and I’ll spend it how I see fit.”

Jerrod opens his mouth to speak, but my grandfather raises a finger to quiet him.

“I’ve seen positive changes in you, Rhys. These past few weeks, you’ve found your place with the foundation. The board is impressed.”

His words make my chest expand. I suppress the grin that wants to escape and instead give a curt nod.

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