Page 67 of Overtime
“Well… Then maybe it sits empty, or they rent it out for some extra money. I don’t know. The option is there if she wants it.”
“I just don’t want to see things go down like they did last time.”
“We’re adults. We’ve been crystal clear with each other about where things stand generally speaking. I just don’t want her to read into this. Think I’m trying to talk her into staying or that I don’t think she’s capable of getting her own place if she wants it. I’m just trying to make things easier on her. She always tries to do everything on her own.”
“Yeah. She and Violet both have that stubborn streak.”
“So like I said, better if it comes from a fellow stubborn friend than from me.”
“I mean you’re stubborn in your own ways.”
I shake my head. “Yeah, yeah. I know.”
A momentlater and Alex walks up to me, showered, and dressed, headed out for the day.
“Hey. So Harper and I had a chat after she and Joss talked about the donor situation. I have some prospects in mind. Some friends of my father’s who are also football fans that I think we could pull in. I’ve reached out to a few of them, and they’re up for a dinner if we show up. I promised you and me. Figure we can take the girls and they can work their angle while we work ours.”
“Sounds great. Just let me know a date.”
“One night this week. I’ll nail it down with Harper and Joss and check in with you. I’m just warning you though, these guys are old school. Kinda assholes. But they’re old money and when they move, their friends move with them, you know? They have deep pockets and have supported my dad’s campaign for years.”
“Got it. So Joss is going to hate them then.”
“I’m guessing yes. Harper is not a big fan but said she’s willing to meet if it means saving the museum. She’s more motivated than Joss so…”
“I don’t know. Joss is insanely motivated on this. It’s all she talks about, and she’s terrified of letting Harper down.”
“Harper won’t be let down. She knows Joss is trying to do the impossible.”
“I mean we all do, but that won’t stop her from feeling like she’s got to take on the world.”
“Sounds like someone I know.” Alex smirks at me, and I hear Ben chuckle as he finishes at his locker.
I shoot them both a look in return.
“Just send me the info, and we’ll see what we can do.”
“Will do.” Alex nods and then heads off.
THIRTY-FIVE
Joss
The secondwe get to the donor meeting I can tell this is going to be hell on earth. Harper and Alex are already there trying to make polite small talk, and Colt and I walk around the table to our seats. The entire time the two women, I assume wives of the men Alex’s father knew, glower at me like I’m the most disgusting thing they’ve seen this century.
I’m dressed conservatively. Most of my tattoos are covered, and I’m wearing a simple sheath dress with sleeves that nearly hits my knees. The only bit of personality I currently have on display is the black heels that have a row of spikes down the backs. But they can’t even see those from where they are. So it’s just me they hate, apparently. The two men give me a lascivious once over I don’t appreciate as Colt pulls my chair out for me.
There’s a loud round of introductions and boisterous small talk before we finally order our food. It’s quickly obvious that they see this as less of a business meeting and more of an opportunity to be seen out and about with Alex and Colt. Punctuated by the fact they stop several people passing their table, one a business partner, another a golf buddy, then an accountant, to make sure that everyone knows who they’re sitting with. I cringe a little internally that Colt and Alex are being rolled out like circus freaks for entertainment just to try and help us.
But what really makes my nails dig into my thigh under the table is when the one with the graying mustache, one who doesn’t deserve a name, decides to make his opinions on our foundation known.
“All right. I guess we better do a bit of business so we can enjoy dessert in peace,” Mustache announces.
“We’d love to hear your thoughts on the foundation now that you know a little bit about it. If you have any questions, Jocelyn and I would be more than happy to answer them.” Harper flashes a gorgeous smile in his direction.
“Well, that’s just the thing I wanted to discuss with you. Who is going to be running this foundation? Because while I think it’s sweet that you ladies got things going with your grassroots interest in culture, I think it’s important you’ve got real business acumen at the top. Someone who knows how to manage money, make wise investments, and really see this thing through.”
“We’ll be co-directors of the foundation. But we’re planning to have a board with lots of oversight from various parts of the community—making sure representation is diversified and we’re not missing communities or partners we could be serving.” I do my best to mimic Harper’s cheerful disposition.
