Page 31 of Educating Arrogant Mr. Hunter

“The Winter Festival?” She grimaced as I nodded.

Ana shooed me away. “I’ve got your club, but later you need to tell me how that all went down.”

I gave her a thumbs-up and rushed off to the conference room. I sent out a silent prayer that there was a large group of volunteers excited to be a part of this event, and the cherry on top of the sundae would be if most of them had helped in previous years.

I skidded to a stop just outside the conference room and smoothed out my hair, which I was pretty sure was a mess with all the running I’d done. With a deep breath, I plastered a wide grin on my face and opened the door. “I’m so sorry I’m late…”

The room was empty.

My heart beat fast and furious, and spots danced before my eyes. I slid down into the seat at the head of the table and laid my head on the smooth surface.How was I going to do this all by myself?

“I’m so sorry for being late,” a familiar deep baritone washed over me.

What the?“Beckett?” I lifted my head, surprised to see him there.

He quirked an eyebrow. “No ‘Mr. Hunter’?”

Heat filled my cheeks, and I cursed my fair complexion. “I don’t have time for your sarcasm. What are you doing here?”

“I’m guessing the same as you.” He gestured into the empty room. “Volunteering for the Winter Festival.”

“No.” My eyes widened. We may have come to a weird truce lately, but there was no possible way we could work this closely and not be at each other’s throats.

He walked into the room and spread his arms. “I can see you have so much help that you don’t need me.”

Jerk.

“They’ll be here soon.” I flipped open the folder where the volunteer names were printed neatly. I jabbed my finger down on the page. “It says right here I have twelve people willing to help.”

“Then where are they?” He checked his watch, and I wanted to throw the folder at him. “The meeting started ten minutes ago.”

I harrumphed, knowing any response I gave him would be a lie.

A devastating smile curled up the corner of his lips. “Looks like we’re partners.”

“I’ll just give them a call. Maybe they’re running late.”

“All twelve?” I wished he’d shut up.

I nodded a little more frantically than was necessary. “There are phone numbers here. I’ll just give them a call.” I’d even take Virgina London’s help at this point. From what I’d seen, she seemed to volunteer for every fundraiser or school event. Part of me prayed to see her name on the list, and the other part cringed that I was so desperate for help that I’d willingly take her on as part of this committee.

He sat at the other end of the table and watched me.

I snagged my phone out of my pocket and dialed the first number. By the time I’d gotten through the first five phone calls, I was getting a bad feeling.

“But Mrs. Fletcher, we could really use your help.”

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Winter. I really wish I could help, but I can’t.”

I rubbed a hand over my eyes, avoiding looking directly into Beckett’s stupid, smirking face. “Mrs. Fletcher, you are the fifth person I’ve called, and so far, everyone has said they can’t this year. Did something happen?”

She cleared her throat. “It’s not really for me to say.”

“So something did happen.”

“I can’t confirm or deny it.” She sighed. “Good luck, Ms. Winter. I hope you find the help you need.”

I hung up, clutching the phone so tight in my hand I wouldn’t have been surprised if the edges were etched into my palm.

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