Page 113 of Sex Positive

“I’m sorry, Victoria, but I can’t listen to him suggest things you don’t want for the clinic.”

Victoria shakes her head. “What—”

Charlie’s afraid she’s going to throw up. “I know this is going to sound insane, but don’t take his money.”

Victoria’s jaw goes slack, her eyes widening further with shock. “Why?”

“Gabriel Quinn does not have your best interests at heart. Listen to what he’s trying to do! There’s a reason why you have two medical assistants on abortion days and why you’ve trusted me with the resources to create my program. You started The Wild Rue because you wanted a welcoming place for everyone, no matter who they are or how much money they have. You give people the freedom to make decisions for themselves. You gavemea chance. You’ve trusted me with the pilot program, and as your medical assistant, and with the expo. Now I’m asking you to trust me as a friend. As someone who’s tired of rich men getting what they want by throwing money around. As someone who knows what it’s like to question everything you were raised to believe and take the risk to forge a different path for yourself.”

Victoria watches her solemnly, hands clasped on top of the table.

Charlie exhales. “What he’s offering is an answer to all our prayers. But we don’t need his help. The expo has turned into something so much bigger than I ever expected. If it’s as successful as I hope—as Iknowit will be, you won’t be beholden to investors like Gabriel Quinn, and you can make your own decisions for the clinic you’ve built with your heart and soul.”

“You’re asking me to turn down a significant chunk of money, Charlie,” Victoria murmurs, “and to trust you with a fundraiser that isn’t guaranteed to raise enough.”

Charlie nods, swallowing around the painful lump in her throat. “Correct.”

Victoria’s expression is the most serious she’s ever seen it. “Does this have anything to do with his son?”

Charlie startles. “It’s—I don’t—” She clears her throat. “It’s complicated, but I promise I have a good reason for what I’m asking.”

Victoria rests a hand on top of hers. “You’re a good person, Charlie. But if we don’t accept Gabriel’s offer today and the expo isn’t successful, Heartbeat Care will be able to move forward with their plans.”

Charlie nods. “I understand.”

“Your program won’t happen.”

Charlie swallows, a bitter taste in her mouth. “I know.”

“And,” she adds, squeezing Charlie’s hand, “if we don’t accept Gabriel’s offer today, the members of the board will pull all funding.”

Charlie nods. “Then let them. We can do this on our own.”

Victoria balks. “Charlie—”

“You shouldn’t be beholden to them either.” Charlie laughs, covering her mouth with her hand. “Oh my god, I can’t believe I just said that. I know I have no right to tell you what to do, but I’m asking you to trust me on this.”

Victoria sighs, running a finger over her brow. Charlie’s guilt flares, knowing she’s causing more stress for her boss. Victoria studies her, likely wondering why she would put her trust in a twenty-two-year-old with little business experience. But then she smooths her palms over her skirt and flashes Charlie a small smile.

“All right. Give me everything you’ve got, Charlie.”

Charlie presses her lips together, clasping her hands in her lap to keep from shaking.

Returning to the computer screen, where a very irritated-looking Gabriel Quinn is drumming his fingers on his desk, Victoria pastes on a beatific smile and taps the volume and the mute button.

“I’m so sorry about that, Gabriel.” She waves a hand through the air. “Some technical difficulties arose.”

Gabriel clears his throat, shuffling his papers. “No problem, Victoria. If I could continue—”

Victoria holds up a hand. “Actually, there’s been a change of plans.”

With a crumb of satisfaction, Charlie watches Gabriel’s expression transform from placid politeness to stormy indignation while desperately hoping she hasn’t just made the biggest mistake of her life.

Five hours later, someone pounds on her apartment door.

When she opens it, Wes is clutching the doorframe, wild-eyed and frantic, staring at her with no small amount of shock.

“Rogers, what did youdo?”