Page 7 of Blind Date
“Don’t focus on the muffin, Mr. Monopoly.”
“Excuse me?” I commanded. “Why the hell would you call me that?”
“You fit the profile. You know. Wealthy. Ruthless. Probably owns a top hat somewhere.”
“Sorry to crush your dramatic impression of me, but I don’t own a top hat. And you should really learn to mind your own business. There’s nothing less attractive than a woman who butts in where she doesn’t belong.”
“You’re a bully,” she said. “A rich man who thinks money gives him the right to push people around. You think you can say and do anything you want without consequences. I happen to love that bakery. And Mr. Avila is the sweetest man I’ve ever met. Did you know that his wife passed away last year? They were married for over forty years.”
“Not my problem. This is business. It’s not personal,” I said.
“Well, maybe if you had a soul, you’d see what you’re doing is wrong. There’s more to life than money.” She grabbed her bag and walked out of the coffee shop.
I sat there stunned. As much as she was on my nerves, Icouldn’t help but notice how incredibly beautiful she was. Five feet seven inches, long brown wavy hair, and beautiful green eyes. But she was a psychopath, and I didn’t have the time to give her another thought. I grabbed my coffee and headed back to the office.
“Don’t sayno until I’m done,” Kylie said, flying into my office.
“No.” I looked up at her.
“I said until I’m done. I haven’t even said anything yet,” she said. “You don’t have room to negotiate here. My job is on the line if I don’t fix your reputation and this company's reputation. Your grandmother threatened me.”
“She threatens me every day. She’s harmless.” I leaned back in my chair.
“Take a look at this.” She handed me a file. “I think it might be a fix.”
I opened the file and saw an old photograph. It was in black and white and of a football team from Manhattan Heights High School, from back in the day. And in the front row, my grandfather was proudly displayed as the school’s star quarterback.
“This is my grandfather,” I said.
“I know. Star quarterback and valedictorian. The man threw a forty-yard pass and gave the graduation speech. Manhattan Heights basically built a shrine in honor of Augustus Castile. There’s a trophy case with his name on it and all of his awards. Did you know that your grandfather made yearly donations to the school for the first ten years of owning this company?”
“No, he didn’t. He would have told me,” I said.
“You weren’t even born yet, so why would he?” She cocked her head.
“What does this have to do with fixing what Page Six reported?”
“Hear me out. A school. Manhattan Heights Public High School. And before you judge and make a face because I know you don’t do schools, it’s the perfect plan.”
“Are you going to actually tell me what the plan is? Or are you just going to skate around it? Because, frankly, Kylie, I don’t have time for this shit.”
“The school is facing financial trouble. The city cut the school’s budget twice in the past three years. They’re about to lose their arts program and athletic program. This school made your grandfather a superstar. And now it’s up to Augusta Castile’s grandson to save the legacy.”
“How much?” I sighed.
She waved her hand in front of her face. “It’s a number you spend on art that you never even look at more than once. But I don’t want you to write a check, Wes. I want a night. A gala. In the gym, where your grandfather spent a lot of time. The same gym where he gave his valedictorian speech. Think of the headlines:The grandson of the legendary Augusta Castile saves the school that made him.”
“What’s the catch here?” I asked.
“There’s an auction. Classic charity format. We’ll invite wealthy people, auction off expensive items, and host a blind-date auction. But you’ll have to participate, of course.”
“What do you mean?” I furrowed my brows.
“Ugh. Why aren’t you getting it?” She cocked her head. “You HAVE to be involved. You’ll bid on a date and take her out. For one night, you just have to show up somewhere your grandfather mattered besides here. One night, Wes. That’s it.”
“What if the women are ugly?” My brow arched.
Kylie closed her eyes and slowly shook her head.
