Page 30 of Fumbling for Perfection

“Yes. We’ll need that. How much did you raise last year?”

“Just over sixteen thousand dollars. I can send you the direct link to our website where you can download the information.”

Sixteen grand? For everything she offers for free? That’s not even enough to cover the basic equipment needs.

“If everything looks reputable, we can contribute up to five hundred dollars.”

He wants a list of last year’s expenditures for a measly five hundred dollar donation? I push the door open with my shoulder and enter Riley’s office. With her back to me, she doesn’t see me, and I lean against the wall and watch her. She clenches her fists and shakes them in the air with fury. She scowls at her phone on her desk and paces back and forth.

“That’s very generous of you and your investment firm. And if anyone in your firm would like to participate in the 5K, I’ve emailed the sign-up form to your administrative assistant.” Her smile is fake, her tone pacifying.

“Oh, there’s no need for that. Send over your report. I’ll see what I can do.”

“I appreciate it, Mr—” The dial tone sings through the air and Riley curses. “Fucking cheapskate.”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

“Jesus!” She jumps and clutches her hand to her chest. “Walker? What are you doing here? Don’t you have a plane to catch?”

I cross the room toward her and hold out the tea and bakery bag. “Someone put me into an orgasm coma last night and I missed my flight.”

“Sounds terrible. I’m so glad you survived.”

“It was heart stopping.”

She quirks the side of her mouth and takes the tea from me. After sniffing it, she asks, “Matcha? How did you know?”

“You mentioned it before.”

“I did?”

I nod. “In Rhode Island. The morning after, when I made you coffee in the hotel room, you mentioned how much you love matcha.”

“You remembered that?”

“I told you,” I say, moving closer. “I remember everything about our time together.”

She hides behind the cup and takes a tentative sip. “It’s perfect.”

“Perfection.” I wink and set the bag on her desk. “I wasn’t sure if you had time to eat breakfast before your class this morning. Muffins and a fruit cup. Just a little something so you don’t pass out.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Walker.”

“What can I say?” I run the back of my knuckles along her jawline, then trace her bottom lip with my thumb. “I’m a thoughtful guy.”

She sips her tea and closes her eyes with a sigh.

“Mr. Tompkins sounds like a douchebag.”

She chuckles and lifts her gaze to mine. “I wish I could say he’s the only one like that.”

“People are seriously questioning if your fundraiser is legit?”

“To be fair, scammers are ridiculous these days. I don’t blame people for erring on the side of caution.”

“Do you mind me asking what your fundraising goal is?”

She snorts out a laugh. “Anything we raise is more than we have. But if you’re looking for wishful thinking, more than last year will make me happy.”

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