Page 35 of Perfect Harmony

“I get it,” Arianna said, “but, like, I’llsee what I can do. I mean, if we have a fancier place with a fancier dinner,we can charge more, right?”

“Right,” Wanda said.

Arianna turned to Rayna. “Let’s exchangecontact information and then we can totally have coffee and just, like, rockthis assignment.”

“Sure,” Rayna said.

“Emsley and Warren, you’ll be in charge ofselling tickets for the dinner. Once Rayna and Arianna have the venue and thecaterers nailed down, we’ll get you started on the ticket sales. Sound good?” Wandasaid.

Warren nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. Cheri, you’ll team up with me. We’lldo the admin and marketing stuff – sourcing out where to get the dinner andsilent auction tickets printed, flyers created, printed, and plastered all aroundtown, as well as giving media interviews, online interviews, that sort ofthing.”

Wanda smiled at Gideon. “Gideon, you can joinGrace in soliciting donations. You practically know every single person inthis town.”

“Oh, um,” Cheri leaned forward and smiledat Wanda, “I was thinking Gideon and I could work together on this project. We’resuch a good team already. Why don’t I help with the donation stuff and…” she staredblankly at Grace.

“Grace,” Grace said.

“Right, Grace. She can help with the adminand marketing. I think that’s much better suited to our skill set. You don’tmind switching, do you, Grace?”

“Wherever I’m needed.” Gracie’s hands wereclenching into fists under the table again.

“Perfect,” Cheri said. “Then, Gideon and Iwill -”

“Actually,” Wanda said, “we’ll keep it theway it is. Don’t take this the wrong way, Cheri, but you’re from Willington.”

“My family moved here when I was eightyears old.” Cheri’s tone was as brittle as a porcelain platter.

“I know, dear, but you know how the peopleare in this town, especially some of the older ones. They’ll always think ofyou as a Willington girl and convincing them to donate to the fundraiser willbe more of a challenge. Grace was born right here in the Falls and,” Wandasmiled at her, “she’s well respected by everyone. She and Gideon are the best onesfor donations asking.”

She looked through her notes. “Now, Gracieand Gideon, you’ll have better luck if you do this as a team so get together andfigure out a time that works for both of you to go door-to-door.”

“Door-to-door?” Gideon said. “Can’t wejust call them?”

“You’ll have much better results if you askfor donations when you’re staring them in the face,” Wanda said with a laugh. “Trustme, it’s more difficult to say no to a person’s face than it is over the phone.”

“Wouldn’t it be better and faster if wesplit up and each took a section of the businesses?” Gideon said.

Grace’s skin prickled. Gideon couldn’t makeit more obvious he didn’t want to work with her if he tried.

Sure, he could. He could say he wantedto work with Cheri. The woman he may or may not be fucking.

God, she hated the hot jealousy rocketingthrough her. What did she care if Gideon fucked Cheri? She didn’t. She absolutelydidn’t.

“No,” Wanda said cheerfully. “Working as ateam is best. This isn’t my first fundraising rodeo, Gideon.”

Gideon nodded, but the muscle tickingrapidly in his clenched jaw suggested he really wanted to keep arguing. Instead,he turned his gaze toward Grace. “You’re off Mondays, right? Does Monday morningwork for you?”

“Yes,” Grace said.

“Great.” Wanda smiled at everyone. “I justwant to say thank you again for donating your time. I so appreciate it and I can’twait to get started. I’ll be sending out an email tomorrow with the highlightsof what we discussed today. Great meeting, team.”

Grace sat back in her chair, stubbornlyrefusing to look across the table at where Cheri had glommed onto Gideon’s arm again.

“Gideon,” Cheri’s voice was soft andintimate, “would you mind walking me to my car? I had to park down the street andI feel a little unsafe in this neighbourhood.”

“Sure.”

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