way. We can’t do that. The students are pumped about the event. Calvin, we’re not canceling.”
“We have to. We have no choice.”
“Becca and everyone else on the team has worked tirelessly to organize the event, and we can’t disappoint the community,” she said, raising her voice to prove she meant business. “Parents are counting on us, our girls too, and I won’t let them down.”
“Haley, your heart’s in the right place, and I know how passionate you are about the foundation, but the numbers don’t lie. If we don’t cancel Girls’ Day and tighten our spending going forward, The Aunt Penny Foundation will have to close its doors forever.”
His words were a powerful blow, like a fist to the gut.
“We’ve been operating in the red for years, but we can’t go on like this much longer.”
“Calvin, don’t talk like that.”
“I’m not trying to dampen your spirits—”
“Then don’t. Give me the numbers, so I know exactly where we stand.”
Haley grabbed her ballpoint pen and made notes in her agenda, diligently writing down everything Calvin said about the finances. “I’ll think of something,” she promised, refusing to concede defeat. “I’ll find another donor. A hundred donors if that’s what it takes.”
Calvin chuckled, and his hearty laugh temporarily brightened her mood.
“We’ve worked together for years. I should know by now not to doubt you,” he said. “You always come through. That’s what makes you a great CEO. You’re a go-getter who’s a hundred percent committed to this foundation, and the best person to lead us.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Calvin, and for bringing me up to speed on the finances. I’ll call you once I have some fabulous new donors lined up.”
“Sounds great. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Enjoy the rest of your day.”
Enjoy the rest of the day? Fat chance of that happening, she thought, dropping the phone on the cradle and her face in her hands. A country music song was now playing on the radio. The female singer was lamenting the loss of her no-good, cheating boyfriend, and Haley wanted to gag. You think you have problems? Try living in my world!
What was she going to do? Haley wanted to call Aunt Penny, but thought better of it. Her aunt needed to rest. Home recovering after having a mild heart attack weeks earlier, Aunt Penny insisted she was fine, but her doctor was concerned about her declining health, as were Haley, Becca and everyone at the foundation. Aunt Penny used to be a regular fixture at the office, dropping by weekly with baked goods and treats for the staff, but these days she spent her time napping and knitting in her favorite chair.
Drumming her fingernails on the desk, racking her brain for answers, Haley considered returning to Fisher Island. Going door-to-door to solicit donations was risky, and since she didn’t want to make enemies of Ashton’s wealthy neighbors she abandoned the thought.
An image of the handsome COO with the dark skin, chiseled features and megawatt smile flashed in her mind. He spoke about causes and issues that were important to her, and was passionate about helping others. Ashton was a doer, someone who made things happen, and Haley could use his advice. Should she call him? Should she ask the Millionaire Moguls for help? Begging didn’t sit right with her, not even on behalf of the foundation, so Haley considered other options that didn’t involve her dreamy, brown-eyed crush.
Ten people with deep pockets, she decided. That’s all she needed to reach her goal.
Feeling hopeful, she opened her drawer, grabbed her address book and flipped it open. Time to work her magic, because there was no way in hell she was canceling the Girls’ Day Extravaganza. The students were worth it, and she wasn’t going to let them down.
Names and faces flashed in her mind. Haley thought of all the charity events The Aunt Penny Foundation had hosted over the years, of all the people who’d supported the organization since its inception, and hoped they’d come through for her one more time.
Swallowing her pride, she swiped the phone off the cradle, prepared to say and do anything to keep the foundation afloat, and dialed the first number in her address book.
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