Page 16 of The CEO's Revenge

“Gentlemen, now is not the time or place for this. Please. People are looking.”

“Let them look, Savvie. Why shouldn’t I defend myself from the slurs this bastard has been throwing around since he got out?” He faced Max again. “Do you think I don’t see the side-eyes as people wonder if there’s any truth in the allegations that I framed you? Do you think I don’t know that you’re still saying I framed you or that you’re trying to ruin me on top of everything?”

I watched as Max ignored Robert and stepped up to me. He pressed a card into my unresisting hand. “Let me have the figures as soon as possible so we can talk about my legitimate donation.”

Then he turned and walked away once more. My eyes followed his determined stride and rigid back. Each step resonated with anger and I could not help but feel as though I was caught between a rock and a hard place. Behind me, I could feel Robert fuming.

“He’s got some nerve even showing his face to us.”

It was on the tip of my tongue to remind him that there was no ‘us’ but I could not be bothered to entertain Robert any longer.

“Be careful, Savvie. I know you need the money but I wouldn’t take a cent from him. If you’d like, I can have my accountant look at your books and see how much more you need and if you can find another source for funding.”

“The school’s accountant is taking care of that, Robert, but thanks for the offer.”

I looked at my watch and saw it was past closing time. It had been a long day with an unpredictable end. “I’ve got to go, Robert. Thanks for coming. I really appreciate it.”

“Anything for you, Savvie.”

He reached out to hug me once more, but I stepped back with a frown. We didn’t have that kind of relationship and I didn’t want to give him the wrong impression. I saw his face grow hard and anger flare in his eyes, but just as suddenly as it had come it was gone. A benign smile was in its place. He inclined his head slightly before walking away in the same direction Max had gone.

I stood looking at his retreating figure, wondering if I was going to have to send security to the parking lot to break up a fight if Max still lingered. I knew who my money would be on in such a fight. Robert would be too conscious of messing up his hair or sweating off his cologne to throw a proper punch.

“That was awkward.”

I turned to find Stacey at my elbow. What was it with all these people sneaking up on me today? I smiled grimly. “You started it, you know.”

She placed her hand on her chest and raised her eyebrows in shock. “Me? How did I get dragged into this triangle?”

“You generated that damn alumni list. And gave ME their names. So. Yes. I. Do. Blame You.” I punctuated each word with a stab of my pointer finger at her chest.

“Well? Would you have reached out to him otherwise?”

I tilted my head and looked at her curiously.

She stared back innocently. Too innocently. I knew Stacey well enough to know she was up to something. My mind raced back through the series of events over the last few weeks.

I frowned. “You had the list out before he was even released.”

She shrugged. “The timing just worked out perfectly, I swear. I just thought it was worth a shot seeing that he was an alum and all. Did it work?”

“Youdidsee World War III barely averted just now? Right?”

“It wasn’t that bad. Besides, I’d pay money to see someone mess Robert’s hair up.”

“Stacey!” I burst out laughing. “You’re impossible!”

“But you know it’s true. Listen, Savannah, from one friend to another, I don’t know what went down between you and Max. Yes, we all know that Robert said he stole some money and he got sent to prison for it. But as far as I can tell there is still a lot of chemistry and unfinished business between the two of you. Maybe now that he’s out, you can fix things or at least work him out of your system. As your friend I want you to be happy. I’m tired of seeing a beautiful woman like you turn guys down because you’re protecting your heart. You need to heal. And maybe you need to be healed by the one who broke your heart in the first place.”

“Maybe I don’t want to be healed… or the damage is irreparable?”

“Nope. I’m the perennial dreamer and happily-ever-after believer. You can be healed. Both of you. Now let’s see if we can help to lighten some vendors’ loads by assisting with their disposal of any leftovers. Heaven knows I’m not going to sit in a drive thru, nor am I going home to cook after a day like today.”

I laughed and threw my arm around her waist. “Well, that makes two of us.”

* * *

By the timeI got home, I was exhausted so I popped the bag with all kinds of leftovers into the freezer, and stuck a few slices of pizza into the microwave. Then I had a hot shower and shampooed my hair thoroughly. Leaving it wrapped up in a towel as I hungrily wolfed down the pizza and washed it down with a can of diet soda I found somewhere in the refrigerator.

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