Page 208 of Surprisingly Us

“I knew you’d come around.”

CHAPTER 64

Rhys

When the board calls me and Jerrod back into the room after their vote, I already know their decision.

After the incident with the photographer he hired to follow me and Lettie, Jerrod told the board he was no longer vying for the president position.

I respected Jerrod’s decision but I also didn’t agree with it. Not because I wanted to see if I would beat him outright, but because after we talked at length about our childhoods and Jerrod’s work with the foundation over the years, I knew he deserved to be a part of it.

Lettie helped me realize that if Jerrod and I could move past our issues, that he ultimately would be a great asset to the foundation.

So, when my grandfather announces me as the new president of The Spencer Foundation, I use my time with the board to politely decline.

“I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know what I’m doing.” My eyes move to Sandeep and he gives me a supportive nod. “But I want to learn. I also think the ways of the past aren’t serving us any longer.” I meet Jerrod’s gaze. “And I think it’s important to find a new way of doing things.”

I lay out my proposal to remove the president role and change the board to be led by co-chairs, so that Jerrod and I can work together, maximizing each of our expertise and handling various aspects of the foundation.

When I told Sandeep what I wanted to do, he helped me organize my thoughts and come up with a structure that would give me and Jerrod flexibility as co-chairs.

The approval is unanimous, and when the meeting adjourns, Jerrod approaches me.

“I like your suit.” He nods at the Brioni suit Lettie picked out for me to wear today. “Is that mint green?”

“Pistachio,” I confirm.

“Nice.” He swallows thickly. “Listen, do you and Colette want to grab dinner with me and Corinne some time?”

“You bet. Send me a date and I’ll check with Lettie,” I say, as he holds the door open for me to exit the conference room.

“Maybe we could grab a coffee right now? I’ve got a few ideas on how we can maximize the foundation’s public investments that I want to run by you.”

When I turn around, I find Lettie there, waiting for me. She’s absolutely stunning in a pink floral dress.

“Actually, I’m going to have to take a rain check on that one.”

“Cool. No worries.” Jerrod notices Lettie and gives her a quick nod.

“I was hoping to take The Spencer Foundation’s new co-chair president out to lunch,” she says, pink lips splitting into a bright smile.

“I told you to stay home and rest.” My words are demanding, but I’m already smiling as I wrap my arm around her waist and pull her to me.

“I guess I’m not a very good girl, then, huh?” She almost says it with a straight face, but a tiny twitch of her lips gives her away.

I lift my hand to her face, my thumb holding her chin. “When every mark on your body is healed, every scrape and bruise gone, I’m going to remember this conversation, and then I’m going to make some marks of my own.”

Lettie’s smile widens. “Promise?”

I press a ghost of a kiss over her lips, then pull away.

Her lips press out in a pout. “You’re a tease.”

“And you, Princess, are incorrigible,” I tell her.

“Hmm. It sounds like we make a pretty good team.”

“Surprising, isn’t it?” I tease.

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