After She's Terminal The Alpha Regrets (Elaine and Lucas) novel Chapter 35

Chapter 35

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Chapter 35

That smile on his face told her he did. He’d actually gone out and looked for someone, knowing she wouldn’t accept money from him.

Sure, she had Adrian already, but he wasn’t going to be signing any checks until later in the process. They’d already agreed to their terms.

“Right, well…could you give us a moment?” Elaine asked.

Nancy nodded. “Of course. I’ll be here.”

Elaine grabbed Liam’s arm and pulled him aside. “What are you doing? I said I don’t want handouts!”

“This isn’t a handout!” Liam argued. “Look, I know you don’t want to owe me any favors, and I doubt you’ll accept money from me now, even if I said I wanted to invest–”

“You don’t even know what you’re investing in!”

“–but I thought I could still help you out. I want to. So, here’s the right people you need. Or person. She’s perfect. She likes donating to charities and I figured this foundation was kind of like that.”

“You know nothing about it,” Elaine said, crossing her arms.

“Nope! So I assumed. And now I’ve got you a meeting with someone who’s already interested. You’re welcome,’ Liam said with a smile.

Elaine ran a hand over her face.

“This doesn’t mean she’s going to agree. She just wants to hear you out. Come on, Elaine, I know you need the money.”

Elaine glanced back toward the table where Nancy was carefully folding her napkin over her lap before taking a sip of whatever drink she’d ordered.

“Alright…let’s just get this over with.”

Liam had been right. It wasn’t a handout. Elaine started strong, perhaps even a little hesitant. She wasn’t sure she trusted this not to be Liam trying to give her money in a roundabout way. Turned out, it really wasn’t.

Nancy questioned every aspect of what Elaine’s foundation was. Down to the little details. Things Elaine hadn’t even figured out yet. She answered best she could: it was a foundation to help the less fortunate, provide medical care, shelter, and food. No, it was not for-profit. Yes, she had the financial budget for the first year after opening. No, she didn’t have a building yet…

Some questions were delicate. Elaine had to answer carefully to not give away the fact that she wouldn’t be around to see this foundation grow. It was simply a start. A seed she was planting that she hoped others would help grow.

“I think you are quite thoughtful, Elaine,” Nancy said, as the questioning came to a close. “You are the Luna of this pack. Yet you have never struck out on your own like this. You’re stuck.”

Elaine deflated. “I’m leaning,” she countered. “There’s a big difference there.”

“You need a little more than financial help.”

She wasn’t wrong.

Elaine knew she’d been stumbling in the dark. She could push towards this as much as she wanted, but she had no idea how to run something like this. Besides, she’d need someone to run it for her after…

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Chapter 35

+20 BONUS

“But I’m impressed. I think what you’re doing is quite admirable. I can see this helping a lot of people.” Nancy smiled. “If you are willing, I’d like to draw up a contract. Something more official than a casual conversation over coffee.”

Elaine suppressed a nervous laugh. This had been casual? She never would have guessed.

“I mean…yes! Of course,” Elaine said, standing as Nancy did.

Liam stood off to the side, watching as they shook hands. Nancy shared a look with Liam, who gave her a thumbs- up, then glanced at Elaine.

Elaine watched Nancy leave, hope sparking in her chest once more. This wasn’t a favor. Wasn’t a handout. It felt more like a partnership. She looked over at Liam.

“I’ll walk you to your car,” he offered, nodding his head to the door. Elaine followed him out.

She was riding the high of a successful, impromptu meeting all the way.