Page 27 of Running
So I can start doing that now, I head into the bedroom area. It’s small, but comfortable enough, with a hotel standard-issue wood dresser, as well as a small closet. I flip on the baseball game and open my duffle bags to unpack them.
The drone of the baseball announcers, along with the steady activity of pulling out one piece of clothing from a bag and then folding it into a dresser, help zen me out.
They don’t completely dissolve the undercurrent of anticipation I’m experiencing, though.
Grace is coming over.
About an hour later, there’s a light knock at the door. She’s here.
I walk into the living area and turn the door handle, swinging it open for her. Blinking twice at the sight waiting for me.
Grace’s hair is back in the beachy waves that seem to be her favorite style, and she’s wearing a pale green romper that pops her eyes to the green side of hazel. I’ve seen Landon’s do the same in green clothing—but yeah, it hits different when it’s Grace.
She’s so damn pretty.
The romper is also doing incredible things to showcase her frame. It’s sleeveless on top, tucked at the waist, and hits mid-thigh on the bottom. I appreciate all of her—muscles and curves.
While I’m acting like I’m in a staring contest, Grace steps into the room. There’s a slight lavender scent as she passes by me—maybe from her perfume or soap?
“Hi, Johnson.” Her tone is friendly, if a bit business-like, and I try to mirror it.
“Hey, thanks for coming by.”
She nods, and I realize she’s waiting for direction on where to settle.
“You want to sit on the couch?” I ask.
“Sure.” She quickly moves to the brown sofa, as if happy to have a clear destination, and pulls out a notepad from the bag she brought.
Nottaking the spot next to her on the couch, I sit in thematching armchair.Since I’m the one who asked her to stop by, I realize I better kick off the conversation.
“So, I got your email. I’ll plan to bug the guys to contribute more this week. Especially now that we’re at camp, they’re a captive audience.”
She smiles, but her voice stays crisp. “That’s great. I’d love to have a really good update at my first co-chairs meeting.” She writes a note down on her pad.
“Definitely.” I take a sip of a bottle of water I had opened and then hold it up. “Do you want something to drink?”
She shakes her head. “I’m good.”
There’s a pause in the conversation. What else can I bring to the table?
One thing pops into my mind that I want to ask.
“So, how was your first day on the job?”
Her face brightens, and she relaxes her posture a bit. “It went so fast, this morning was a blur. But I loved Susie, she seems like such a fun person to work for.”
“Yeah, she’s the heart and soul of the Waves organization. A great human. I’m glad you’ll be working under her on this.”
She flashes another grin at my sentiment, and looks back down at her notepad. “Is there anything else you think I should have on my radar for the auction?”
I can offer to make more donation calls, but the logistics haven’t been my responsibility, so I don’t have much insight into the planning otherwise.
“I’m sure you’re going to catch on quick.” That much I can say with confidence. “Let me reach out to a few of the companies I work with on bigger campaigns and see what I can come up with, though.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it. I want to add a few more high-profile donations, the ones that will be special draws.”
So far, this meeting could have been an email. Totally my doing, my spontaneous invite via Landon having no basis in need.
