All That Really Matters, Nicole Deese [best detective novels of all time .TXT] 📗

“Ah, so the Murphey Grant won’t approve the release of their matching funds to The Bridge without an approved building plan, and the trustee board won’t approve the building plan without securing the total funds.” I sat up straighter, my focus becoming more and more clear. “So what do we need to raise? What’s the total sum?”

“A million dollars,” he said, as if the impossibility of that number was greater than the possibility of it. And I didn’t believe that for a second.

“Silas,” I said, no longer able to contain my enthusiasm, “that’s amazing! You only need to fundraise four hundred thousand dollars for a project that’s worth one million! Why aren’t you more excited about this?”

“Because we’d have to secure it all before September first. The funds actually have to be in and accounted for by the morning of August thirty-first—that’s the cutoff date for the Murphey Grant. Less than three months from now. And the total we have to bring in is five hundred thousand, not four.”

“Nope, numbers may not be a strength of mine, but I promise I’m not wrong on this math story problem. We only need to fundraise four hundred thousand out of the five hundred thousand we need matched, because . . .” I beamed, nearly coming out of my skin. “Because I recently secured a one-hundred-grand scholarship for The Bridge through my agency. It’s a pay-it-forward perk that Mr. Greggorio runs every year with nominations from his clients. He already chose mine and approved it. I don’t have the check in hand yet, but it’s solid. And don’t worry, the scholarship has nothing to do with Ethan.”

“Molly, I . . .” I’d never seen Silas speechless before, and I had to admit, it was kind of nice. “I’m not even sure what to say, other than . . . thank you.”

Outwardly, I waved off the compliment, but inwardly I was melty and warm. “We have several weeks to raise four hundred grand. Totally doable.”

This time when he shook his head and laughed, I laughed with him, lowering my chin to catch his eye. “No more debating or consulting necessary. Apply for that Murphey Grant, Silas. We’ve totally got this.”

Because whatever part I could play in making Silas’s off-the-page goals come true . . . I would do it. And for once in my life, I wouldn’t do it for my own personal gain. I would do it for Silas. And Glo. And Clara. And for all the kids who’d spent way too many years of their life struggling to get ahead of their circumstances.

To: Ethan@cobaltgroup.com

From: Molly@makeupmatterswithmolly.com

Ethan,

Despite the unfortunate events occurring last Saturday at Sophia Richards’s private residence in Malibu, I am prepared to honor my contractual agreement with Cobalt Group until the time of its expiration at the end of the calendar year, unless there is just cause for early termination—see clause 5.6 located on page 4 of our agency contract.

In the meantime, please respect my personal and professional boundaries regarding all further communication. My business hours will be 9 a.m.-4 p.m., M-F, via my assistant, Val. Also, for your consideration, I’ve sought legal counsel regarding any and all circulating rumors regarding a breach of contract due to the incomplete The Fit Glam Kit photo shoot. Clause 3.2 of The Fit Glam Kit contract states that I have the right to reject any content that could damage my brand’s reputation. It also states that all damages and/or fines will be directed to my sponsor and talent agency.

Sincerely,

Molly McKenzie

To: Sophia@srenterprises.com

From: Molly@makeupmatterswithmolly.com

Dear Sophia,

First off, please allow me to say thank you for your kindness in sharing my videos on your fan pages, and for the invitation to your beautiful Malibu home. I’m sure, at this point, you’ve heard from your staff and my agency about the failed photo shoot last Saturday. And while I know this personal contact from me likely goes against wise counsel, I hoped I might appeal to you—woman to woman.

You see, I love all things glittery and pink and summery and fanciful. Almost all the items you included in your campaign box are things I’d happily promote without reservation. That being said, the Tubee is not a product I feel comfortable modeling or endorsing to my audience.

My goal with this email is not to offend you any further than I’m sure I already have, but I’d love the chance to explain my decision to leave the shoot unfinished. I’ve recently started mentoring a group of young women at a transitional home for youth who’ve aged out of the foster care system. They’ve never had much in the way of support or guidance, and to say they’re impressionable would be putting it mildly at best. Though the goal of the program is to equip the residents with life skills and confidence to thrive in the real world, their role models have often been 2-D filtered photos of celebrities and social media influencers who’ve made a living doing much of the same publicity work I have done over the last few years. And while I’m grateful for the platform and reach I have, I’m becoming increasingly aware of the audience my influence impacts.

I have no doubt the Tubee will bring in many sales for The Fit Glam Kit, but I can’t, in good conscience, attach my name to anything I wouldn’t recommend to these six young women I’m now responsible to mentor. Please know I’m deeply sorry for the time, money, and energy your company has lost due to my decision to leave. I wish you and your company the very best.

Thank you for understanding,

Molly McKenzie

18

Molly

Despite the new boundaries I’d placed on Ethan, I’d been anticipating his phone call. Or, at the very least, a string of text messages. But there had been nothing from him at all since my email, and it was almost noon on Monday. Had he read it? Had he been angry? Indifferent? These mentally draining questions were likely why email wasn’t advised as a communication