Page 36 of Save You
He leans his arms on the table and meets my eyes just as firmly.“I know.”
It takes less than five minutes for the others to vote to readmit James as a new/old member.Meanwhile, I sit at the front, my cheeks burning, and try not to let on how much the idea of spending three afternoons a week in this room with him from now on is getting to me.
Lin distributes handouts and gets straight down to business.
“Can someone bring Beaufort up-to-date with our plans for the charity gala?”she asks.
I let my eyes wander over everyone in turn.These meetings have been routine for me, but I guess that’s a thing of the past.James just being here is a total distraction, setting off an avalanche of memories that makes my entire body tremble.I remember the feeling of his hands on my legs, my stomach, and my breasts.The way he whispered my name.His mouth, and what it felt like on my lips and my skin.
I feel my face flush even redder and try desperately to suppress the thoughts.This isn’t the time or the place.It’s time to keep my personal life strictly out of school again.
“The charity gala is happening in February,” Jessalyn says in answer to Lin’s question.“The PTA has decided to raise money for the Pemwick Family Center.They want to expand their mental health work and they’re really short of cash for that.”
“It’s going to be as fancy as every year,” Kieran adds.“Black-tie, and we’ve got a huge budget to play with.Lexie is expecting us to butter everyone up so they’ll donate loads of money.”I jot downfancy partyandhuge budget, which is utterly pointless because I’m perfectly well aware of both facts, but it gives me an excuse to look down and away from James’s eyes.
“It’s going to be in Boyd Hall.There’s a drinks reception with canapés first, then a banquet by a chef from a five-star hotel.He’s had firsthand experience with the Family Center and their work, so he’s doing it for free.So we’ve got more to spend on décor and entertainment,” Lin explains.“We’ve hired a pianist from London for background music, and Camille’s family recommended a troupe of acrobats for the grand finale.”
“Some of them used to be in Cirque du Soleil.”Camille sounds very pleased with herself.I’m about to writeCirque du Soleilwhen I clock how silly I’m being.I can’t spend an hour and a half sitting around staring at my notebook just because James is here.I put my pen down again and look at Camille as she takes over.“They’re going for a mystic vibe.”
Next to me, Lin sighs.“But we still have the same old problem of finding sponsors who want to come to the gala and make a donation.We can’t just invite parents.And we need people to make speeches.It would be ideal if the Family Center had helped them in the past, because that would make it sound really authentic.”
“Last week, we said we’d keep asking around,” I say, finally able to speak.“Did anyone get anywhere?”
I just have to look at the discouraged faces of my team to know what they’re going to say.
“No one answers my emails, and if I phone, they either say maybe next year, or just come straight out and tell me to leave them alone,” says Kieran.“Nobody wants to talk about their past problems.Least of all at Maxton Hall.”
The others nod.
“Maybe we need to think outside the box a bit,” suggests Jessalyn.“Maybe we don’t need people to have usedthisFamily Center, just something similar.”
“Good idea,” I say.“We could also ask the local universities if anyone in their relevant departments would be prepared to speak.”My smile is more confident than I feel.“We’ll get there.We’ve got a while yet.”
Murmurs of agreement.
“Now that you’re back on the team, it would be great if you could take charge of décor, and arrange things with the company and Mr.Jones,” Lin suddenly says to James.“He can always use a hand getting the hall ready.”
I pluck up the courage to glance at James.
He blinks in mild confusion, but just says, “Sure.”
I’m trying really hard not to grin at that.Cleaning the hall with the caretaker is a nightmare job—no one wants to get stuck with that, so it makes me laugh that Lin has just delegated it to James.And it’s further proof of what a great person she is.
The rest of the meeting goes to plan, but I’m glad when the ninety minutes are up.Lin and I divide up the jobs we have to do, while everyone else says their goodbyes and leaves the room—except for James and Camille, who seem to be packing their stuff extra slowly.I try to pay them no attention but without much success.I hear every word of condolence that Camille is murmuring.My stomach clenches, but I remind myself that I’m not going to feel hurtbyJames anymore, and certainly notforJames.I don’t intend to feelanythingwhen it comes to James Beaufort from now on.
“See you later,” I mumble to Lin.
She nods and shoos me away.I pick up my backpack and head to the door, staring straight ahead.At the very moment I reach for the handle, a hand closes around it so that mine ends up on top.I look up into James’s face.We’re only inches apart.I take in his familiar smell, spicy and a bit like honey, and the warmth of him.
“Ruby,” he whispers.
I pull my hand away like I’ve burned it.Then I look at him withthe expectation of him either moving his own hand or opening the door.He hesitates a moment, then turns the handle.
I exhale.“Bye, Lin,” I say, hurrying out of the room.
I walk to the bus stop faster than ever as his voice echoes around my head and through my whole body.
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