Page 53 of Tempting the Player
“Or what?”
She bit down on her lip. “Or Madison could lose the funding after third quarter next year.”
“Really? Shit.” He took the curve up ahead and immediately had to brake as there was a line of people turning into the parking garage serving the theatre. “How much money do you guys have to raise?”
“A lot?” she said, letting out a little laugh. “We needed to hit close to five mil and we’re about a million short.”
“Whoa—that’s a lot, but you guys probably have some donors with deep pockets, right?”
“We do, but we’ve maxed most of them out. So we’re shooting for a Hail Mary with this.”
They’d finally slid into a parking space and Chad killed the engine, facing her. “What happens if you guys lose your funding?”
Bridget unbuckled herself when it was evident Chad trusted her to do that all by herself. “There’ll be a lot of cutbacks. Madison will be fine.”
His dark brows furrowed. “I know Maddie will be fine. If she lost her job due to cutbacks, she has Chase. What about you?”
She reached for the door. “They’d probably get rid of my position. I’d either be sucked into another department, or I’ll be let go.”
“What?”
“Yeah, look, this is really kind of a sucky conversation. I’m sure everything’s going to be fine and we’re going to be late to the movie.” Bridget forced a smile she really wasn’t feeling. If Chad thought the fact that she could lose her job was terrible, then he’d probably be horrified by how much in debt she was. “And you’re adoring public is awaiting you.”
Tension pulled at the corners of his lips, but he nodded. She met him around the side of his car, and he took her hand like she expected. For a moment, they both stood there and stared at each other.
The lopsided grin appeared once more. “You do look very nice tonight.”
Her lips pursed. “Just jeans and a sweater—nothing amazing.”
“They look good on you.”
Feeling her cheeks heat, she looked away. The simple compliment that was probably meant to put her at ease shouldn’t have gotten her heart racing, but it did. “Flattery will get you nowhere,” she said.
“Damn. There goes my master plan to get you in bed just by saying you look nice.”
She cracked a grin.
“Come on,” he said, tugging her toward the entrance. Just as they reached the double doors, yellow light spilled from inside the building onto the dark sidewalk. His cell phone went off. Reaching into his front pocket with his free hand, he pulled it out and snorted.
“What?” she asked, nervous about heading into the crowded lobby.
Chad laughed. “It’s from Miss Gore.”
“Goody.”
Shaking his head, he slipped his phone back in his pocket. “She wanted to make sure I was holding your hand.”
Bridget laughed. “Aw, she’s like your mommy giving you pointers.”
After opening the door for them, he arched a brow at her as he led her in, and she laughed. A smile formed on his lips in response. As soon as he turned, facing those in line for buying tickets, the double takes started. It was almost comical—one head turning right after the other.
The purchase of tickets was rather uneventful, but as they waited in line to buy popcorn and drinks, because God help them if they let Miss Gore down, the whispers rose like a wave and the stares grew pointed.
Bridget shifted her weight from one foot to the next and kept her gaze leveled on the glass counter ahead. The tips of her ears felt hot.
“Large popcorn with extra butter and salt and…” Chase paused. “A cherry soda, right?”
“Perfect.”
