Chapter Seven
USED VIBRATOR
Kenzie
Life givethand then it taketh away. I got a promotion, then had nobody to celebrate with. I got that good fuck I’ve been looking for, then got kicked out right afterward. I got to meet Joyce and was truly excited about being a volunteer for the animal shelter, then Bentley walked in.
Out of all the motherfucking places I could see him again, it had to be here. Had to be the one place I couldn’t tell him exactly what I thought of him no matter who was around.
I didn’t realize that the shelter was run by Joslin’s mother until after Joyce introduced herself. That meant anything I did was going to get back to my work, and I couldn’t afford to fuck up my new role when I hadn’t even really gotten started yet.
Bentley is directly in my line of sight, and I decide I need to pretend leaving his house the other night was my idea. I can’t let him interfere with my life any more than he already has.
Not even when my thighs squeeze tighter together in an attempt to ease the throbbing I feel when I watch his talented tongue as he speaks.
Joyce slides a stack of papers my way. “Take a page from the top and pass them down, please.”
I do as she asks, and she continues speaking.
“This sheet outlines all of the ideas that we’ve approved for the fundraiser. We will be hosting a carnival right here at the shelter. It will begin at 11am and run until 9pm, so plan on being here all day on October 25th. Our aim is to draw the parents with kids in during the daylight hours and appeal to the adults in the evening. More importantly, our goal is to find proper homes for at least half of the animals we have on the day of the event.”
The balding man I think is Sam points at the top line. “How are the eight of us going to keep this running smoothly for the whole day with all of the booths we decided on?”
Joyce grins. “Well, I’m hoping our new volunteer can help fill a few spots with new blood. My daughter said she would also try to send a few more people our way. Plus, we all have a friend or two that might help for the day as long as we do the heavy lifting, yeah?”
Heads nod, including mine. “I have a couple friends I know will help.”
Ella and Piper love stuff like this, and I can always count on them when I give them plenty of notice. Unlike the other night when I wound up inhisbed.
Shit. Not going there. We had great sex. It’s over now. I’m an adult, and I need to handle this situation with maturity while remembering the mindset I had when I was at Piper’s. I deserve better than the way Bentley treated me, which means I need to forget about him.
Right, a little voice in my head draws the word out.
I ignore my subconscious and focus on the rest of the meeting. The sheet of information is confirmed and locked in. The next thing we need to do is assign jobs.
“I’ve already put some thought into this, and we’ll be here all day if everyone tries to pick their own, so I’ve grouped you together in pairs of two. You’ll each have one or two responsibilities. If something truly doesn’t work for you, please see me afterward so the rest of us can get back to our busy schedules.”
Nobody objects to Joyce’s decision, and I’m realizing now that she probably doesn’t get told “no” very often. She’s too grandmotherly for anyone tonotwant to please her.
Names and assignments are rattled off. I realize too late that one name in particular hasn’t been said. At least not until it’s combined with mine.
“McKenzie and Bentley, the two of you will be in charge of donations, some of the rental equipment that we’ll need the day of, and catering. I assume with your corporate experience that the two of you will already have connections you can reach out to?”
I’m too stunned to talk. I can’t be partnered with Bentley. Give me the sleepy-looking Gene or furrowed-brow Mary. Anyone other than Bentley.
He nods. “Of course, Joyce. Whatever you need.”
She pats his hand. “I knew I could count on you. Plus, you’ve been here longest, so I need you to help McKenzie get settled in.” Then, she swivels to meet my shocked eyes. “This might be a little overwhelming, but I promise, you’re in good hands with Bentley. He’s not like most suits that you’d meet.”
I bark out a laugh that I try to cover with a cough. Thankfully, the other volunteers are getting up, and the scratching of chair legs over the laminate floors helps to distract from my inappropriate outburst.
Joyce tilts her head toward me. “Are you okay?”
I lamely give her a thumbs up. “Right as rain.”
She stands up as she says, “Good. We’re excited to have you part of the team. If you enjoy this event, maybe we can make you part of the board as well. Currently, we’re full, but I know Mary is ready for less responsibilities around here. She’s our treasurer. You any good with money?”
I fold the paper with the event information in half and tuck it into my purse before getting up from my chair and answering her.