Page 48 of Running
“Hi, Grace.” The rumble of his voice makes my chest tighten.
Ugh, that’s not going to help me stay focused.
“Hi. Sorry to bug you.”
“No bother at all. What’s my mission?”
My chest squeezes again at the gravel in his tone. God, did I forget how deep his voice was or something?I need him to stop talking.
Blocking out my body’s reaction, I try to stay on track. “So I just spoke to Rori. You’ll have to trust me on this, but she’s genuinely sorry for how she acted with Landon and wants to apologize.”
“Okay…” He sounds uncertain now. Whether it’s related to Rori or because he’s wondering why I’m calling, I’m not sure.
“Long story short, she’s coming to the gala now.”
“Oh, shit.”Thatreaction I completely understand.
“It’s going to be good. It’s going to be fine.” I explain what she’s donating and why we picked those items. “So you see, I need to make sure Landon actually takes advantage of the chance for time with her, so they can talk.”
He hums into the phone, things now clicking for him.
“You’ll be at the same table as him, I made sure of it, so you guys have fun during dinner. I need help when the bidding starts, though.”
“I have a couple of ideas in mind. One is easy—I win the bid and gift the prizes to him.”
A surge of relief passes through me. “That would work.”
“I’m up for this challenge, I promise, Grace. Leave it to me.”
He asks me a few more questions before we say our goodbyes.
As soon as I hang up, I collapse in a chair.You did it.I survived a phone call with Johnson.
Now I just need to survive being in his presence for the first time in weeks at the auction, and make sure the Landon-Rori situation doesn’t blow up.
Like Roderick said, no matter what happens, I’lljust smile.
CHAPTER 16
Johnson
When Grace texted me to talk, my heart rate spiked. Not because of whatever she needed for the auction, but because I hadn’t heard her voice in three weeks.
Be cool, I told myself as the phone connected.
I try to pay attention to her words more than the soft lyrical sound of her voice. It’s a struggle. But once she fully explains what she needs from me, I know my answer.
“I’m up for this challenge, I promise, Grace.”
Not wanting to hang up yet when I finally have her on the line, I bring the conversation in a different direction.
“So, you think Landon is going to be okay with this? Want to talk to Rori?”
Grace sighs. “I really hope they can work things out. You know how miserable he is right now, and Rori seems sincere in wanting to repair their relationship.”
“Well, it’s good of you to set this up.”
“Landon’s either going to be very grateful, or super irritated with me, but at least they have a shot.”
