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She got to the suite at the end of the hall and noted she had to pull the door to enter, which she promptly pushed, meaning she walked into a solid panel of glass. Shaking her head, and hoping no one had noticed, she tried again and stepped inside the office finding herself face-to-face with one Caleb Prescott.
She was shocked.
In her mind, she knew she had wanted to see him again. She felt such a strong attraction. But he made her crazy at the same time. She did ridiculous things when she was around him. And there was that chance of hurt. That chance she was unwilling to take.
They both stared at each other for what felt like an eternity, although it was really just a few seconds before Caleb recovered and chuckled. “Well, well. Now I know your last name too, Ms.Jenni Kirk. I have to say, this is really a coincidence. Those pull-instead-of-push instructions can be confusing. Please, have a seat. Water?”
Jenni declined, and Caleb nodded.
He’s probably glad I didn’t take any because with my history I’d spill it,she thought.And how can he look so put together after a weekend of hellraising and fishing with his friends?
As if he was reading her mind, Caleb said, “I left Hatteras right after the banquet on Saturday. I wanted to have a full day to recover from the weekend’s festivities. It was tiring making the drive, but it sure felt good to have yesterday to recover.”
Jenni noted the wisdom in that. “I, uh, got home yesterday but I guess the fishing got the best of me. I am still tired.”
Caleb laughed. “I’m sorry if I caused your calamity Saturday. I shouldn’t have distracted you. Navigating that room was an obstacle course.”
“Oh, you didn’t distract me,” she said, making sure he got the message. “I guess I am just terminally clumsy.” But she could feel the heat creeping up her neck. She did not want him to think he had the power to distract her.
“I ran after you, you know. I wanted to tell you that I enjoyed meeting you.
“Well, I’d had enough, I’m afraid.
“You should have hung around. And your team did really well, seventh place ain’t too shabby,” he said with a bit of a country twang. “I’m proud of you! I’m not even sure where we ended up, but it was a great time.”
“My friend and her family are very good anglers,” Jenni said, shifting in her chair. “I was just the tag-along.” She needed to get this conversation back on track. “I’m sure you’ve got other appointments today, especially with Mr. Ragland’s illness, so I won’t take up much of your time.”
Caleb leaned back in his chair and smiled. “You take all the time you need, Jenni Kirk. Now, tell me why you’re here.”
On firmer footing, Jenni launched into her presentation. Because she loved what she did and believed so firmly in the cause, she spoke passionately but convincingly. She ended by expressing what Dee had said to her earlier in the day but adding a bit from the research she’d done just an hour or so prior.
“This gala, this anniversary, means a tremendous amount to us. The founder of the organization will be there. She’s not in the best of health, so we want this to be a positive event for her. But we also want to use it as a springboard for our major capital campaign next year. I know that Second Bank hasn’t supported us in the past, but we have a number of giving levels from which to choose. I’m hopeful you can discuss this with Mr. Ragland and find a level that’s comfortable for the bank. I have also noted that teens play a role in your mission for community needs fulfillment, so this seems like a good fit.”
Caleb said nothing, and Jenni wondered if she had overstepped her bounds or had somehow said something inappropriate. Finally, he pushed his chair back and placed his hands on the desk.
“That was quite a spiel,” he began.
Jenni was not happy with the choice of “spiel,” but she didn’t interrupt. “Our charitable giving budget is pretty much set, but I think we have some leeway for discretionary giving,” he went on. “That’s under Mr. Ragland’s control. I’ll certainly pass this along. Thanks for your time.”
Jenni was pretty sure she was being dismissed. She collected herself and began to stand up, frantically trying to remember whether she should push or pull on the door going out. But Caleb wasn’t finished. He shifted his weight and cocked his head to one side. The sun shining in the window framed him almost in a glow, and once again Jenni realized how handsome he was.
“And so, Ms. Kirk, we are done with the business part of this meeting,” he said. “But onto something less intense and much more pleasurable, would you care to join me for a drink tomorrow night after work?”
She desperately wanted to say yes, but she just couldn’t risk it. “I’m sorry, I can’t. I have a class to teach.”
She realized that her tone had been abrupt, too abrupt.
Caleb picked up on that immediately.
“Sure, that’s fine,” he said. “Maybe another time?”
Jenni only nodded in a manner that could have been a yes or a no. “Thank you again for your time, Caleb. We’ll be grateful for your consideration.”
They shook hands awkwardly, and she began to walk toward the door, but Caleb moved around his desk and got there before she did. “Going out, it’s push,” he said, as he opened the door for her and smiled. “It’s been great to see you again.”
Her shoulder brushed his as she passed through the door, and she felt the smallest jolt of electricity.
She mumbled, “Thanks,” and didn’t turn around as she walked back into the reception area.
