Page 33 of If By Chance
His eyes soften when he looks at her, and for a moment, I see his features warm with a hint of a smile. “I did. I was there. I’m not saying Ms. Russell is lying. I’m saying I don’t remember her.”
I sit back in the chair. “Nothing, huh?”
He shrugs. “I meet a lot of people.”
He says it like it should make me feel better.
It doesn’t.
Okay, so I’ve made a big deal out of something that meant zilch to this guy. I’ve thought about this man’s words for months, and he doesn’t even have a vague recollection of my face.
Ouch.
“Ms.—”
“I swear, if you call me Ms. Russell one more time, I’m going to cry. Call me Claire,” I almost beg.
He shifts in his seat, and I blow a strand of hair from my face.
“Okay,” he says slowly. “Claire, we should get on with the meeting.”
I nod, shaking my hands of their tremble and nursing my bruised ego.
“I was hoping my donation toward the shelter and the funding for the education program could stay anonymous, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.”
“Why?” It’s out of my mouth, and I want to suck it back in, but now is the time for answers. “Anonymous donations happen all the time. Why is this different? Why areyoudifferent?” I arch a brow. “Unless you’re doing something illegal, Mr. Williams?” I meant it as a joke, but when his eyes harden and his jaw locks, I know he doesn’t take it the way I intend.
I cross my arms over my chest and lean back. He’s made it abundantly clear he doesn’t know me, and yet, he insulted me more than once.
“I get it. A young, handsome CEO donates a large amount of money to a women’s shelter. It’s a story for the beautiful socialites who will throw themselves at you. It shows you in a softer light. It’s good for your image. People love those stories.”
“Claire,” Nora scolds, her cheeks turning red.
She already told him my mouth gets me in trouble. He’s expecting it.
I don’t want to disappoint him, do I?
But the curl of his lips only serves as fuel to my fire. Then, for the first time, his smile reaches his eyes, and he chuckles. A full-on, loud, obnoxious laugh fills his large office.
And I hate it because now I know it’s definitely the same man I shared donuts and my darkest day with because that same smile makes my tummy flutter.
Damn it, Claire.
“You think I’m handsome, Ms. Russell?”
Bastard.
He is going to be a pain in my ass.
I bite my lip before letting my frustration bubble. “Of course, that’s what you’d take from what I just said.” I roll my eyes and look away because his stare makes my cheeks heat.
“Enough, you two,” Nora warns sternly, but the glint in her eyes betrays her efforts. She is finding far too much amusement in our petty argument.
“Apologies, Nora.” Jake nods, and I grind my teeth so hard I think one cracks. “Ms. Russell appears to enjoy making assumptions. I wonder if she enjoys admitting when she’s wrong?”
Hell will freeze over before I admit I am wrong.
Those fiery eyes come back to lock with mine. “Like I said, I was hoping to stay behind the scenes here, but that isn’t going to happen, so certain things are expected. JW Media and The Hope Foundation will host a charity auction in the coming months. It’s not specifically for Guiding Light, but it will mark the official opening.”