Page 62 of Fake it For Good
“I wasn’t aware you were dating anyone,” Leon said. “Glad to see you got back out there.”
“Thanks.”
“How did the two of you meet?” Leon asked me.
It was a deer in the headlights moment. We had talked about this question, but my mind suddenly went blank. Thankfully, Cane quickly stepped in.
“Noelle works with a nonprofit, Shelby’s Kids,” Cane said. “She was looking for donations.”
“I don’t think I’ve heard of the group,” Leon said.
“It’s small,” I chimed in. “We help out domestic violence shelters and orphanages. We’ve been trying to help kids in the foster program as well, but our resources are limited. This year has been especially tough. It’s so hard to tell people we have nothing to give.”
“You’re looking for money?” he asked somewhat abruptly.
“Not necessarily,” I said. “Retailers tend to be able to do more with less money because they are paying cost. My organization has to pay retail, which ends up eating up the donations. Money is great and needed, but other tangible items are just as important.”
“Like what?” he asked.
I glanced over at Cane, who gave me a very slight nod. I went back to my speech. “Clothing, blankets, and toys are our most needed. We usually get donations for toiletries and stuff like that, but it’s the little things that really make a difference in a child’s life.”
“You know, we just got in a shipment of throws that were all produced with the fabric inside out,” he said. “We were going to toss them, but if that’s something you could use—”
“Yes!” I practically jumped at the man. “Absolutely. New is new. A warm throw will make a huge difference for a scared kid.”
“You’re sure?”
I nodded. “Depending on what they look like, we can get fabric paint and let the kids decorate them.”
“Do you have a card?” he asked.
I looked to Cane. I had never actually thought I would get anywhere. Cane reached into his jacket pocket and pulled one of his cards. “Call me and I’ll give you the information. If you don’t call me, I’ll be calling you. You can’t get my fiancée hyped up like that and back out. You can deliver the blankets to my office, and I’ll make sure she gets them.”
He was taking charge and I didn’t mind a bit. Leon promised to follow through. I let Cane guide me around the party and introduce me to a lot of different people. I was getting contacts, which was worth more than the money he was paying me to pretend to be his fiancée. I stuck by him, though, since I was feeling a little out of place at the party.
But after about thirty minutes talking with the same small group of people, I found myself very thirsty. “I’m going to get a drink,” I said. “Can I get you anything?”
“Beer, please,” he said with a smile. “I can go with you.”
“No, you stay. Catch up. I’ll be fine.”
“You’re sure?”
I put my hand on his arm. “I’m okay.”
I walked away and made my way to the open bar. There were a few people waiting in front of me. I admired the pretty dresses the women were wearing. This was just another Tuesday night for them, but it was like prom for me. Not that I went to prom.
“Two beers,” I said to the bartender. “Whatever’s on tap.”
I tapped my fingers on the smooth surface of the bar and waited for the beers.
“Beer?”
I turned to find a woman in a bright red dress leaning one hip against the bar. She looked me up and down. I wasn’t sure why she had zeroed in on me.
“Yes, is that a problem?” I asked.
“No. I suppose not. I guess if you like that kind of thing. I have more refined tastes myself.”
