Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73042 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
I swallow. “It just feels like the right thing to do.”
We return to our work after lunch. Brick helps me fill out the nonprofit IRS form, and we spend some time revising the draft mission statement several times until we’re both satisfied with it. After another hour, Brick gathers the documents and his notes and stacks them together neatly.
“You’ve done incredibly well,” he says. “This might seem daunting now, but trust me, this is just the start.” He tucks the papers into his briefcase. “It’s been a pleasure, Raven.”
For the first time, I notice a dimple on the left side of his chin. It’s unusual…and very attractive.
He clears his throat. “Would you perhaps want to discuss this further?”
I’m exhausted, and really, what more is there to discuss at this point? We got a lot done in this session, and Brick was extremely helpful, but I have a lot of work to do before we’re started. “Of course. Next week maybe, once I have the chance to work out the business plan and all.”
Brick smiles. “That was my failed attempt to ask you to have dinner with me, Raven.”
I stop my jaw from dropping as my hand wanders back to my peach-fuzz head. It was one thing for him to compliment me on my appearance, but now he’s asking me out?
Me?
A woman who’s still practically bald from cancer treatment?
Granted, I’m recovering well thanks to Falcon’s bone marrow, and I’m excited about this new project, but…
A handsome lawyer is asking me out?
My surprise must be evident, because his smile fades slightly. “I understand if you’re not interested, or if you—”
“No,” I interrupt, shaking my head. “I mean, yes. I mean, I’d love to have dinner with you. I’m just…surprised.”
He chuckles. It’s a low, warm sound that fills the room. “Surprised? And here I was worried you’d forgotten that you’re an incredibly strong and beautiful woman.”
My cheeks warm once more at his words. I’ve been so focused on my recovery and the nonprofit organization that I’ve forgotten to let myself live a little.
“All right then,” he says. “How about this Friday at seven? There’s a quiet Italian place about thirty minutes from here.”
He’ll have to drive here from Austin to get me. It’s a long way. I open my mouth to voice this thought, but then close it. He knows that. He did it this morning. Why bring it up?
“That sounds lovely,” I reply, warmth flooding my cheeks once again.
The dimple in his chin winks at me as he stands up to leave. “Until Friday then,” he says, extending a hand. “I’ll pick you up here, if that’s all right?”
“Yes, that’s fine.”
“Good,” he says with a nod. He looks ready to turn away, but then pauses to meet my gaze once more. His eyes are warm, genuine—different from the professional lawyer I met hours ago. “And Raven?”
“Yes?”
“Just because you’re on a mission doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life. Remember to take breaks now and then.” His smile is caring, almost tender.
I take in his words. “Thank you, Brick.”
I see him to the door and then go back into Dad’s office. I lean back into the chair and let out a breath. The road ahead is long and filled with challenges, but for the first time in a very long while, I feel truly alive. I have a purpose—to help those battling blood cancers, save lives like mine was saved by my brother.
And I have a date.
A date!
But one thing nudges the back of my neck.
I wish the date were with a handsome man named Vinnie Gallo.
14
VINNIE
My phone rings the next morning right as I’m about to leave to see Grandfather.
“Yeah?”
“It’s Falcon Bellamy.”
“Hell, I didn’t even look. I was just going to call you.”
“I just wanted to thank you,” he says. “Dad got served with the EPA papers early this morning. He can’t do anything until the EPA comes out and assesses the situation, and then they’ll decide whether he needs to do an Environment Assessment or an Environmental Impact Statement.”
Fuck. Do I tell him it wasn’t me? Or do I let him think I worked a damned miracle?
This is Savannah’s fiancé. I can’t lie to him.
“I got the name of an EPA chief from my grandfather, one Myra Pearson. I had instructions to text her at a number from a burner phone, which I did.”
“Whatever you did, it sure worked.”
“Listen,” I say. “I don’t want to be presumptuous or anything, but can I come over to your house for dinner?”
“Well, sure, if you want. You’re always welcome here, Vinnie.”
“I don’t want to talk about this over the phone, not until… Let’s just talk tonight.”
“Savannah already invited Raven for dinner.”
“That’s no problem. She knows everything anyway.”
Plus my heart is racing at the thought of seeing her again.
Man… I haven’t had a reaction like that to a woman in a long time.