several leather rolling chairs and a projector screen against one wall. Were we supposed to have visuals? Like graphs or something? I trade a look with Em, who shrugs at me, which makes me feel a tad better that I’m not the only one with no clue about this whole thing.
Kiernan and Alden are already inside the intimidating room, both of them standing politely as we enter. Alden nods at each of us, just barely tilting the corner of his lip in what I’m guessing is meant to be a smile. Kiernan is much more welcoming, coming around the table and shaking my hand before pulling me in and giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. Barrett growls at that move, and the shit eating grin on his friend’s face makes me think that reaction was the whole point.
He greets Em next, his eyes heating as soon as they land on my friend. His attention drops down to Em’s t-shirt with his signature purple unicorn on the front, and I wonder if we prob’ly shoulda dressed more professionally today.
“Cute,” Kiernan says, his voice dripping with amusement.
I glance over and find Em blushing like crazy. He tries to pull his hand back, but Kiernan holds onto it for a few extra seconds before releasing it.
“Don’t scare people who are here to ask us for money, Kier,” Barrett scolds.
“Who’s scared?” he asks smoothly, still shamelessly raking his eyes over Em, who looks like he’d really love to find a hole to crawl inside.
“Are we planning to stand around with our dicks in our hands all day, or are we going to hear this pitch?” Alden asks, spurring Kiernan to give him the finger before he goes back around to his chair and sits back down.
Barrett makes a move to kiss my cheek, but I put my hand out to stop him, giving him a stern look. “This is professional, Daddy. You wouldn’t kiss anyone else who came in to pitch an investment, so you shouldn’t be fixin’ to kiss me.” He looks both affronted and amused by my rejection, but takes a seat anyway. “I still love you,” I tack on, just to soften the blow, which makes both his friends laugh under their breath.
Holding my head high, I put a hand on Em’s shoulder to steer him to the front of the room. Maybe if we stand right in front of the projector it’ll be less obvious that we ain’t got visual aids for this presentation. If you can even call it that.
He’s supposed to start by presenting the problem we’re planning to solve—I looked it up and that’s what Google said to start with, which sounded smart. I glance over, and he’s gone from blushing bright red to looking mighty pale, so I put my hand back on his shoulder. He looks over at me with pleading in his eyes.
“I c-c-c-c-,” he starts to whisper, and I give a sharp nod to let him know I understand.
“Thank y’all for lettin’ us come in today and talk about our idea for mobile libraries in rural communities,” I jump right in.
As I talk about the struggle of getting my hands on books as a kid, my confidence grows. We may not have had a real formal presentation made up, but this is an experience I lived, and I have a chance to help kids who were just like me.
“Seems like a big project; do you have any funding ideas outside of our potential contribution. Long term things to carry you after the initial investment?” Kiernan asks when I finish talking.
I look to Em again to see if he’s feeling ready to try to talk yet. He gives me a small nod. To my surprise, he grabs onto my hand. I squeeze his fingers so he knows I’m here while he does this and ready to take over if he needs it again.
“W-we t-t-t-thought we could approach local b-b-bookstores t-t-to help with ongoing fundraising. Things like d-d-d-days w-where part of their p-p-profit is donated to us. It gets the c-c-community involved.”
“Bookstores?” Alden repeats. “Why would they want to contribute? Wouldn’t it be counterproductive for their business for them to support giving away books like that?”
“N-n-n-no, actually. These kids can’t afford b-b-books anyway, so they were never potential c-customers. And most indie b-b-bookstore owners love books and will w-w-want to help pass that on to k-kids who can’t get books.”
Barrett shoots me a proud look that makes me warm all over.
“What are we