Page 194 of Surprisingly Us

“I don’t want this to end,” Rhys rushes out before I can speak. He shakes his head. “Fuck. I’m bad at this.” His eyes finally lift to meet mine. “I want you, Lettie. For real. These last few weeks of dating, real dating, have been the best. Any time I get to spend with you, I keep thinking how did I get so damn lucky? I want to keep doing this.”

My heart is beating rapidly, but I give him a reassuring smile. “Same.” My hand reaches for his under the table. His palm iswarm, if not a bit clammy. While I hate showing my nerves, it’s endearing to see Rhys’s on display.

He’s a confident rebel. A bad boy who tries to hide his soft side, but the more I’ve seen it, the more I know that’s his true heart.

Like when I talked with Brittney last week about coming in for a visit now that the entire dance company is back from break, and she mentioned Rhys had come on his own a few weeks back. He’d brought friendship bracelets for all the children and spent hours hanging out and talking with them. The coolest thing? Like the Leg-Up donation, he didn’t tell me about it. He did it because it felt good, not because he wanted me to know he did it.

That alone made me fall harder for him.

I know we have feelings for each other, that what is between us is real now. But I also don’t want to rush things. Right now, I’m enjoying our time together. Dinners out, running in the park and soaking up the sunshine on his boat. Our quiet nights reading the next book club book on the couch with the cats snuggled up around us. And of course, the sex.

I love Rhys’s dirty talk. I get off on it. But it’s the combination of his playful delivery and gentle, yet commanding touch that makes sex so empowering. I’m curious about trying new things, and he’s very supportive. Like the other day when I asked him about pegging, he only looked mildly terrified as he contemplated it before I burst into laughter and told him I was joking.

I will say, Chloe’s romance book recommendations are opening my eyes to so many possibilities.

“Yeah? Okay, good.” His smile is cocky, but I can see the relief in his eyes. “After the board votes, we don’t have to pretend to be engaged. I know you didn’t want to be. It was too soon and I don’t want to rush us into that kind of commitment right now.”

My eyes drop to the ring on my left hand. He’s right. I thought his proposal was crazy at the time. This ring was too much, it still is, but I like what it means. That we belong to each other.

“Tonight’s about celebrating you,” he says. “We don’t have to figure everything out right now.”

I nod in agreement.

For the first time in my life, not knowing what the plan is gives me comfort.

CHAPTER 59

Rhys

Tonight, my grandfather and Edith are hosting a dinner for the foundation board members at their home. The board votes in two weeks, so it’s likely the last time I’ll see all the board members before then.

Unlike the evening of Corinne and Jerrod’s dinner, I’m feeling confident tonight. Across the room, Lettie is talking with Aditi, Corinne, and Ayesha, Sandeep’s wife.

I catch Lettie’s eye and she winks.

I return it and raise her a huge fucking grin because I am in a fantastic mood tonight.

Sandeep hands me one of the Manhattans the bartender just made, then follows my gaze to Lettie. “Ah, young love. Looks like everything is going well for you two.”

“Yeah, it’s fucking great.” The curse slips out before I can correct it. “Sorry, but yeah, I’m crazy about her.”

He laughs. “You were right the first time. And there’s nothing better than having a supportive partner by your side.”

I know he’s right. While Lettie’s assured me that I would have found my footing with the board and proven myself to be a good fit for the president position even without her in my life,I know her support and encouragement have been key to my transformation.

She’s across the room right now, but I still feel her calming presence like we’re connected by an invisible string.

Two of the foundation board members, Keiko and Jason, walk over to join our conversation. After we catch up on everyone’s weekend plans, I shift the conversation toward the business end of this evening.

“Has anyone had a chance to review the investment policy I sent over for the foundation?” I ask the group.

“I think the risks and asset allocation were refreshing. A different direction than what we’ve done in the past,” Sandeep says.

Keiko nods in agreement. “I particularly thought the impact investments you outlined were interesting. Having The Spencer Foundation seek out companies that are in need of crossing a certain threshold before they can compete in the marketplace not only fulfills our charitable support but also boosts companies that are on the verge of technology and discovery to better the world.”

“I couldn’t have said it better myself.” Jason agrees with Keiko. “Great work.”

I’m ecstatic to hear their feedback. I’ve spent the last few weeks working on the investment policy guidelines I’d like to adopt as board president. Every free moment I’ve had, I’ve spent researching and catching up on current policy. I wanted to have something concrete to show the board, to prove that I don’t just want to be the face of the foundation, but I’m here to do the work.

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