Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84200 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 421(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
So far, working for Brienne as the director of the foundation has been beyond my wildest dreams. It’s tremendously difficult work, mainly because I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. But Brienne has set up her fair share of charitable organizations and she’s walking every step of the way with me. She essentially tells me what to do and then I execute it, which is a great way to learn from the ground up.
Before I can turn my attention to the next item on my to-do list—which is to comb through an Excel database Brienne provided that lists donors who have contributed to a variety of past fundraisers—none other than the boss lady breezes into my office.
As always, she’s the epitome of chic and haute couture. Today she’s wearing a red, white and black plaid skirt that comes to her knees, paired with a fitted black turtleneck. She has on black tights and a pair of high-heeled Mary Janes, giving her somewhat of a sexy schoolgirl vibe. Her pale blond hair is pulled back into a classic chignon, and her makeup is flawless, including her signature red lips that give her a fifties vibe.
Handing me a folder across my desk, she says, “Those are the résumés of the candidates for seats on the board of directors. I know most of them, but I want you to call and interview each one. It will be good practice for you.”
I place the folder on my desk and give a surreptitious swipe of my hands on my skirt because that made my hands sweaty. While I’m confident enough in myself to know I’m smart and capable, I know the people she has inside that folder are all successful businesspeople in a completely different class from myself. I don’t mean that in a self-deprecating way. It’s just that Brienne is a multibillionaire and the people she associates with, while not in that stratosphere of wealth, are pretty damn rich and accomplished. That also means they can be bold, assertive and bullheaded. She’s already warned me that I might be up against people who are borderline rude in my dealings because they don’t have time for niceties. And now she wants me to cut my teeth on some of those people.
“Not a problem,” I say brightly, even though my stomach turns a bit. I remind myself that I need this job and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make it work. I will make it into a career so I can always take care of Travis.
Brienne winks at me. “I have all the confidence in the world, Danica. I know I picked the one and only woman for this job.”
That indeed fortifies my confidence.
“Got plans for lunch?” she asks. “I was going to order a salad to be delivered. You’re more than welcome to join me in my office?”
“As lovely as that sounds, I’m going to meet your future sister-in-law at Primanti’s.”
Brienne’s eyes light from within, softening into true fondness. “I’m so happy you and Kiera hit it off.”
Kiera is Drake’s sister who moved here in October to help him take care of his boys when he travels. I also notice Brienne didn’t deny that they’ll be related by marriage one day and that makes me wonder if they’re talking about tying the knot.
“How about you join us?” I suggest. “You know Primanti’s is far better than a salad.”
Brienne laughs, wagging a finger at me. “I will not be tempted by that deliciousness. But I truly don’t have time to go anywhere. I’ve got a meeting at one o’clock.”
I glance at my watch and see that I need to head out if I’m going to meet Kiera on time. I stand from my desk and reach into my drawer for my purse. “I’ll be thinking of you while you eat your rabbit food.”
I come around my desk and grab my wool coat off the back of the door. As I’m shrugging into it, Brienne says, “You should just go home for the rest of the afternoon after lunch. No sense in coming back for such a short time before you have to leave to pick up Travis.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to assure her I don’t mind coming back, even though she’s correct. It would only be for about half an hour. Brienne has chastised me on more than one occasion to stop fighting her when she makes legitimate offers like this.
So I nod and say, “I think I’ll do that.”
♦
Kiera arrived earlier than our arranged time so when I walk in, she’s already at the table with our food. Since Brienne introduced us back in November, this has been one of our favorite lunch spots.
Apparently, there was an episode when she first moved here that prompted Brienne to introduce us. Kiera got quite sick while Drake was at an away game and was in a precarious situation because she was too weak to care for the three boys. Brienne was more than happy to help her out but realized that Kiera needed a bit more of a support system. Brienne knew me before the crash since I’d been with the team going on almost a decade. She asked me if I’d mind befriending Kiera, which I didn’t, and it turned out I met somebody who, in a very short time, has become a dear friend. We have so much in common but mainly the thing that binds us together is our shared sense of humor.