Page 7 of Just The Way You Aren't

I think again about finding a life partner and add one more nonnegotiable item to the checklist. “He’d better be an animal lover.”

CHAPTER 3

DAMIEN

“‘They should be happy to give up their homes for this project,’ says CEO of Langley Enterprises, Damien Langley, of the neighborhood residents. Just another heartless billionaire mowing down helpless homeowners for a building project.’” I glance up as my board stares at me in the company conference room. “Oh, come on. This is a load of bullshit. They took that quote completely out of context. I’d just told Bill to give them double their homes’ worth, for God’s sake!”

“Keep reading,” Alfred says, almost sounding gleeful.

“Keep… keep reading what? This dreck?” I snort. “Why?”

“Oh, you’ll find out,” he grins.

I want to punch the walking combover—well, sitting combover now—but decide that would probably just turn more of the board members against me. I skim the rest of the article, then feel my stomach drop right out of my ass. “‘It boggles this reporter’s mind that Guardian Productions, a family-friendly company, as we all know, would get into bed with such a family-unfriendly man.’” I scoff. “That’s it. Weneed to go after this woman for libel. Or wewouldhave to, if this wasn’t an irrelevant little rag from the middle of nowhere. No one’s going to read this crap.”

Alfred steeples his fingers in front of him as though he’s building a platform from which to launch projectiles at me. And he does. “The CFO of Guardian Productions reads that ‘irrelevant little rag’ and has run that criticism up the flagpole. They’re talking about pulling their business with us and giving it to someone else. That means, of course, no studios, film sets, offices, etc., etc. I’m sure you remember this is the biggest deal Langley Enterprises has had since your father died. He was a real rainmaker.”

I grind some enamel off my teeth. If Alfred’s skinny, balding ass knew how difficult it is to ‘make rain’ in this economy post-pandemic, when businesses are still closing down their big office buildings in favor of work-from-home incentives, he’d probably shut his big trap. As it is, he keeps on gawping like a landed bass.

“We can’t have this type of publicity. And we cannot afford to lose Guardian Productions,” he says, thumping the polished, thick wood conference table with his finger.

“No, we can’t,” one of his cronies chimes in.

Others shake their heads as well, even those not under Alfred’s wing, and I know I’ve been defeated. I let out a long sigh. “What do I have to do, and how much is it going to cost?”

“Oh, we’ve already worked that out for you,” Alfred says, nearly salivating with anticipation.

Whatever they’ve ‘already worked out’ for me is going to be deeply, deeply painful, I just know it. “You did?” I grumble.

“We did,” Alfred beams. “We’ve arranged for you to volunteer with Silver Hearts. You’ll be helping with their fundraiser.”

“Silver who?” I echo, raising an eyebrow.

“Silver Hearts. They serve the elderly who want to remain in their homes in their old age. They actually have various programs under that one umbrella—food delivery, legal help, yardwork, and housekeeping. You name it.” The board member who is speaking now, a perky bleached blonde named Gladys, who is also nearing the elderly stage in her life. She continues to gush about the organization. “The Executive Director of Silver Hearts is the sweetest woman named Willow?—”

“How much do they need for their fundraiser?” I ask, certain I can make this go away with a couple hundred-thousand dollars or so.

Gladys gives me a disapproving look and Alfred actually chortles.Chortles.

“I’m afraid money isn’t going to cut it this time, Damien,” he says, part of his greased, gray combover falling into his eyes.

I grunt. “How can money not cut it? Money fixes everything. That’s what the fundraiser is about, right? Raising money for the organization?”

“While I’m sure they’d appreciate a donation,” Gladys says icily, “this is about rescuing your image.Ourimage. As I’m sure you’re aware, the CEO of Langley Enterprises is the face of the company.”

Alfred nods. “And right now, that face looks like a heartless bastard bent on throwing helpless people out of their homes in the name of progress.” His lips twitch merrily. “Not that any of us would actually believe that about you.”

It’s official now. I’m going to lose a molar by the end of this meeting from clenching my teeth so hard. “Of course not,” I seethe while the rest of the board mumbles amongstthemselves. I have more enemies, or at least doubters, than I thought.

“We’ve already told Willow you’re going to go help out.” Gladys smiles, recovering her good spirits. “It will take so much off her plate to have someone as gifted as you with scheduling and resource allocation assisting with this fundraiser.”

I take several deep breaths, then pull out my phone. I bring up my calendar and frown. “I suppose I could pencil her in three weeks from today at two o’clock?—”

“Oh no,” Alfred interrupts me, chuckling as if I’ve missed the joke. “You don’t seem to understand. You’re going to be meeting her tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” I repeat, staring incredulously at him.

“Yes. It’s all arranged.”

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