Page 9 of You Wish
“Georgia, that’s amazing!” Jane said and pulled her in for a big hug.
Georgia didn’t know why, but she found herself holding on for dear life. That was the one thing she hated about going it alone. The lack of human contact.
Georgia forced herself to let go and pulled back. “And the first wish I’m going to fulfill is a little boy who has spina bifida.’
Jane placed a hand over Georgia’s. “Just like Connor.”
“Exactly like Connor. His name is Ben, and he doesn’t have long. His Christmas wish is to meet his idol.”
“Jake Evans,” Roxy said in understanding.
Georgia gave a quiet nod. “The one and only. Which is why I’m flying to Singapore this weekend. I need to get him to agree. At least to see Ben.”
“That’s a long way to go.”
“It’s that important to me. Sure, the raise would be amazing, but this wish hits close to home.”
Georgia had worked with kids who’d had everything from cerebral palsy to cancer, no condition left behind. But she had yet to be handed a wish from someone with her brother’s same condition. She often wondered if it was luck or a conscious decision on her boss’s part.
“You can always video chat him,” Jane suggested.
The last thing she wanted to do was see him again, but she knew it was the only way to get him on board. Jake needed to feel a part of the story and that was how she’d snag him. Because no one did “story” like Georgia.
“It won’t be the same. This is going to take some tough negotiations. I just know it. And I’m at my best in person.”
Maybe it came from being her brother’s advocate or convincing the insurance company to cover things they normally wouldn’t, but Georgia was an excellent negotiator. There wasn’t much she couldn’t accomplish when it came down to it. She’d only failed with Jake the first time because her axis had tilted more than expected by seeing him again. Then there was his state of dress—or lack thereof—that had her tongue-tied.
“Do you need backup?” Jane asked. “I can go with you. Henry would be so surprised to see me at his race.”
Georgia wasn’t used to needing backup. In fact, admitting she needed help at all felt foreign to her. But she wondered what it would feel like to let someone help carry the load.
You did that once. And look where that landed you. Down the heartbreak highway.
Nope, it was easier to walk it alone than have someone fall through. Not that she thought Jane would ever do that, but she didn’t want to risk it. Didn’t want to risk their friendship.
“One of my coworkers is coming,” she lied. “But thank you. It means a lot.”
Jane rubbed her palms together. “What’s your plan?”
“Give him whatever he needs to say yes.”
Then she’d have to convince her boss that this was more than a one-off. If done right, this partnership could change the game for The Wish Project.
3
Georgia smoothed the edge of her notes for the fifth time, though she knew she wouldn’t look at them once she started talking. Only, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to speak at all when she entered the conference room. Odd for someone who never had a problem filling the silence or selling someone on a dream.
The office, which was warm and welcoming, painted in aMagic really does existshade of yellow. But the boardroom, that was like stepping into a high-powered fishbowl—glass walls, sleek furniture, and a boss who could smell weakness from a mile away. Today, with the winter sun slanting through the windows and her boss tapping her watch, Georgia felt like she was walking into a firing squad.
Because instead of only Liz Whitmore sitting casually at the table, Georgia was facing down the entire executive team, including the foundation’s founder, Mr. Whitmore.
She’d only ever met the man once—and met was a strong word. It had been at the foundation’s annual holiday party and Georgia had drunk one too many eggnog martinis and shaken her money maker while doing the Macarena. A little dizzy anda whole lot drunk, she’d accidentally walked into the wrong restroom and ran smack into Mr. Whitmore. Had he been washing his hands it wouldn’t have been so bad. But it hadn’t been soap he was holding. Nope, it was much more horrific than that.
Cue awkward apologies and frantic retreat. But the damage had already been done. Which was shy she’d successfully avoided being in the same breathing space with the man for the past four years. And she could go another four, but karma had other plans.
Based on the look on Mr. Whitmore’s face, Georgia wasn’t the only one who’d missed the memo on today’s attendees. In fact, he looked at her as if demanding she come up with an excuse for why she needed to be anywhere but there.
“I’m sorry,” Georgia said. “I must have the wrong room.”
