Page 185 of Ice Princess

I hide my smirk by taking a drink of my soda.

Benji squirms.

If Rodney Howard had a tail, it would be between his legs.

“Dad, apologize.” Benji elbows his father.

“I’m… sorry,” Rodney Howard says, glancing at me and then looking away. “Not only for today, but for putting you in an uncomfortable position the last time we met, Miss Hart. Benji scolded me greatly for what I did. I assure you the next time you have a presentation, my colleagues and I won’t waste your efforts. We will sit and listen.”

“I appreciate that,” I say with a small smile.

Carol Kinsey looks surprised by Rodney’s comment. I wonder if she’d blindly believed all the rumors about me flirting with Benji to get the donation. I’m glad that Rodney Howard’s comment clearedthatup.

“There was a mix-up with my secretary,” the businessman explains. While I don’t exactly believe that, it’s what he says next that matters. “I’ll speak to her and have the money wired first thing tomorrow.”

“I expected nothing less of a man of esteemed character like yourself, Rodney. Now, would anyone like dessert? I heard this restaurant makes afinepecan pie.”

The rest of the dinner goes smoothly and Benji leaves to pay the bill.

Carol excuses herself to the restroom and it’s just me and Rodney Howard at the table.

As awkwardness sets in, I fidget with my napkin, stare at the restaurant’s low-hanging chandeliers and adjust the candles flickering on the table.

Benji chose an incredibly… non-business-meeting-like place for us to discuss business today.

Rodney Howard is in no rush to start a conversation so, rather than let the awkward silence drone on, I offer an olive branch.

“Mr. Howard, thank you again for your donation.”

He lifts a hand. “No need for that.”

Taking notes from what I saw of Carol today, I steer the conversation in the direction I want it to go. “I brought an updated proposal. Would you like to hear a quick rundown of the outreach programs we’re launching?”

“Sure. Why not?” He takes a sip of his wine.

With the help of the slides on my phone, I launch into a summary of the projects, the budget, and the potential impact on the community. Even though it’s a sped-up version of the presentation I was meant to give him, I still get excited talking about how many people we’re going to help.

Rodney Howard listens without interrupting. It’s only when Benji returns to the table that I realize I’ve been talking non-stop for a few minutes.

“I was rambling, wasn’t I?”

“No, that was very inspiring.” Rodney Howard wipes his mouth with a napkin and watches me thoughtfully. After a breath, he says, “Miss Hart, have you heard the term ‘looks can be deceiving’?”

“Of course.” I laugh nervously. “I hope you’re not insinuating that I’ve deceived you in some way, Mr. Howard?”

Just then, Carol Kinsey returns to the table.

“No,” Rodney says, shaking his head. “It’s quite the opposite. When it comes to you, Miss Hart,” he gestures to my body, “your inside is just as beautiful as your outside.”

“Thank you,” I gasp, truly touched.

Carol Kinsey slips back into the booth.

Rodney Howard turns to her. “You know, Carol, Rebel reminds me of you from back in the day. You had this light in your eyes when you spoke about helping people. Felt like you were on a one-woman mission to eradicate all the wrongs in the world.”

My eyebrows fly up.

Is he talking aboutCarolKinsey? The woman who spent the last few years of the Lady Luck Society agenda ‘beautifying’ the already beautiful side of town?

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