Page 20 of Victorious Vice

I stand. “He did, but he…had his reasons.”

“I understand.” Emily raises a hand, gestures me to sit back down. “And I understand how close you are to him. But I would advise against having him on your board.”

I sigh. I hate it, but she’s probably right. “All right. Maybe my brother Hawk then.”

“Or someone not related to you,” she says.

I sink back into the chair. “Who do you suggest?”

“I’d suggest maybe someone in the medical field. An oncologist, or perhaps a researcher.”

“I could ask some of my doctors.”

“That’s certainly a good place to start. They’ll be able to point you toward the people who are doing the cutting-edge research in the field.”

I nod.

“Then you’ll want an attorney, of course.”

“Would you like to be on my board?”

She smiles. “I appreciate the request, but you and I don’t know each other very well yet. Besides, it could be a conflict of interest. Because I’m representing you in getting the nonprofit together, I probably should not sit on the board.”

I nod. I hadn’t thought of that. Boy, am I in over my head.

She shifts through some paperwork. “You said your father was busy. You don’t think he’d have the time?”

“I doubt it.”

“I understand, but he’s the Cooper Steel heir, and an excellent rancher in his own right here in the great state of Texas. He would be a perfect addition to your board.”

“All right. I’ll ask him then.”

My father will never deny me anything, which is the reason I didn’t want to ask. He’ll do it even if he doesn’t have the time.

“So, the gala,” Emily says. “Tell me what you envision for it.”

“I’m not sure entirely,” I admit, tugging at the hem of my blouse. “I was hoping you might have a few ideas. I’ve got the venue locked in, but that’s about it, and we’re running short on time. I want it to be grand. Not just another dull charity ball where people stand around in their designer clothes and talk about how much they’ve donated.”

Emily leans back in her chair. “Grand can be achieved,” she assures me. “How do you feel about live entertainment? Perhaps a notable artist or band?”

I nod. “That sounds fantastic. Do you think we could manage that on such short notice?”

“There’s no harm in trying,” Emily replies. “We might even reel in some extra donations if we auction off a private performance or a meet and greet. I’ll put out some feelers right away.”

“Thank you.”

“Think about your guest list,” she instructs me as we prepare to part ways. “The right mix of people can help create theenvironment you’re looking for at the gala. And it helps if they’re well-connected.”

“I’ve already sent out ‘save the date’ invitations,” I tell her, “since it’s coming up so quickly. The responses have been great. Of course, having my father’s name attached doesn’t hurt.”

“That’s a good move,” she says. “Leveraging your family name will not only attract potential donors but reputable professionals as well. But try to think beyond the immediate, Raven. The gala is a launchpad for your foundation, and you want it to make waves.”

“But why? Isn’t the aim just to raise funds?”

She shakes her head. “Raising funds is certainly one of the goals. But more importantly, we need to raise awareness. People won’t donate if they don’t know about the cause or respect it. Your gala should show them that you’re serious about making a difference.”

A stab of apprehension hits my gut. “I hadn’t really thought about it like that. I’m not sure how to get people to take me seriously.”

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