Page 14 of Running For It

“But it didn’t.”

I clenched my jaw and stared at him. What was I supposed to say that I hadn’t delved into a dozen times with him before?

“I’m sorry.” Ramsey’s expression softened, and so did his tone. “The producer is a friend. He called me early this morning, said their scheduled show cancelled, and asked if I wanted to do an around-the-town kind of piece for my campaign. I immediately thought of you and the kind of positive exposure this would be for the shelter. I had to give him an answer right away.”

It was a reasonable explanation, except— “And then you manipulated me to get me down here.”

“I couldn’t have you shut this down. Wouldn’t you have?”

Probably. And it would have been a mistake. “This wasn’t the right way to get this done. You should have given me the chance to decide for myself. Did you see I went along with things when it came down to it? Even without you pulling my strings?”

“Yes, and I’m sorry.”

“Don’t.” I spat. “Don’t apologize if you don’t mean it.”

Seven

He reached for my hand, and I stepped away from his touch. He frowned. “I do mean it. I should have told you the entire story from the start. I did what felt right at the time, and I see now it wasn’t.”

I shook my head.Easier to ask forgiveness than permission. Such bullshit. Just not usually Ramsey’s form of bullshit. If he did something, it was because he knew he was right, no regrets.

“What did you want to tell me?” I shouldn’t hear him out, but I was shutting down my heart, so it didn’t matter. He’d talk, I’d sayno, and I’d go to work.

“Part Two. I can make it happen now, but I didn’t want to pull the trigger before talking to you.”

I narrowed my gaze. “That’s what you were going to tell me before I yelled at you?”

“You didn’t technically yell,” Hunter said. “And we came up with this while we were waiting for the cameras to show up.”

“Huntercame up with it. But he’s right.” Was that pride in Ramsey’s voice?

I checked the clock on my phone. “Five minutes? I promised Lyn I’d still be in this morning.”

Ramsey rolled his eyes. “She’d let you take the day off. She wouldn’t even ask questions.”

But I’d hate letting her down. I twisted my mouth, waiting.

“I’ll give Dottie a call,” Ramsey said. “We’ll do a fundraiser in Vegas. Like a pop-up event. Tomorrow night it’s there, and at midnight,poof—it’s gone.”

Ramsey’s grandmother insisted we call her Dottie, rather thanDorothyorMrs. Miller. And she’d done a lot of charity work, and her events made the one last night look like a children’s party.

I adored her. She’d reached that age where she was willing to sayfuck itto what anyone thought, and do things her way. However— “You can’t put an entire event together in a day.”

Ramsey grinned at the challenge. “Day and a half. I’ll call her right now, if you sayyes.She’d love to do this for you. I’ll have the plans for your approval by tonight, and we’ll fly out there tomorrow afternoon.”

“I can’t…” My protest died in my throat, as my gaze landed on the faces pressed to the windows, watching us. I didn’t have a choice.

“You’re not giving up control; you’re delegating. Everything gets your sign-off, down to the caterers and brand of shrimp, if you want.” Ramsey knew me too well.

I had a week to find these kids a new place to go, and no funds for it. “All right. Let’s do it.”

“Perfect.” Hunter clapped.

It was adorable.

Ramsey’s grin was more assured. “Dinner tonight, as an apology and to discuss strategy?”

“Is this a dinner for the press?” I couldn’t help the question. He might not have used this morning to campaign, but now he was donating his valuable time to youth in need. Perfect photo op. I hated that I had to consider the possibility before I gave my answer.

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