Page 80 of Open To Negotiation

“It should look good,” Jaxson commented from beside her as he waved at someone he knew. “Each ticket costs three thousand pounds.”

With that, some of the guys moved off to start making small talk. We knew at least eighty percent of the people in the room, and it was a good networking event in addition to raising money for a good cause.

“Theo, is he serious?” Quinn asked with wide eyes as she looked up at me.

“Mr. Knight! Welcome!”

I was saved from answering as Edward walked up to us with a smile on his face. I’m sure he had been waiting for me to arrive. It was an event for the charity I owned after all.

Edward Hale was a plump old man who was the first person I called when I decided to start the foundation. Knight Enterprises backs it, but he is the man in charge. He makes all day-to-day decisions and runs it effectively. We’re really nothing more than a bankroll for them now.

“How many times have I asked you to call me Knight?” I grumbled as we shook hands.

“Ugh.” He waved me off, he was never impressed with my request. “Who do we have here?” He asked as he looked over at Quinn on my arm.

“Edward, this is my girlfriend, Quinn West.” He must have heard the pride in my voice because his eyebrows rose a fraction. “Quinn, meet Edward Hale, the CEO of the charity we’re all here to support.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, Miss West.” He held out his hand to shake hers.

“Please call me Quinn,” she replied with a warm smile.

“I can hardly believe after three years he’s finally brought a date, and a girlfriend no less. Maria would be so proud.” He got a little misty eyed, as he always did when he mentioned my mother. Quinn leaned into me a little, likely at the revelation that she was the only woman I’d ever brought here and not at the mention of my mother’s name.

“Thank you.” I tilted my chin down at him, my tone sincere.

“You’ll be positively thrilled with the money we’ve raised from the tables alone, sold out by the way. The silent auction planned for later will make this our most successful event to date.” Edward looked around excitedly.

When you had a lot of money, you made contacts with people who had money, which meant that as I’d gotten more successful, so had the foundation. I watched as Quinn looked around the room to see the large banner hanging over the stage where the auction would be held.

“The Maria Knight Memorial Fund?” She read as she looked back at me with a small frown.

“I was one of her doctors you know,” Edward stepped in, clearly missing the fact that I hadn’t told Quinn about the charity at all. I didn’t know why, we did good work. But I wanted her to see it firsthand, I didn’t like to talk about it often, much less brag about it. “I was close to retirement when Mr. Knight came to me and asked me to run this foundation. I couldn’t say no. My wife always says it was a good thing because I would have been too bored. She said I would’ve driven her nuts at home.”

Quinn laughed politely with him before she looked back at me, her face blank. “You own this foundation?”

I was having a hard time reading what she was thinking.

“Mr. Knight isn’t good at advertising it,” Edward said, finally realizing what was happening. “He has a mission statement to do incredible work for people with stage three and four cancer. Not only do we fund an enormous amount of research to try and advance our knowledge of the disease, but we also have grants that patients and their families can apply for.

“It covers medical costs, housing for the family while in treatment and pretty much anything they could need. A lot of our families take part in our counselling services. As per Knight’s request, it’s required that immediate family of patients take part in one-on-one sessions. As challenging as cancer is for the patient, it’s just as hard on families.

“They can continue using our services and grants even if the patient passes away. The money is usually used to support families and cover medical costs following their passing. We have some testimonials in writing from people who have used our services around the room. You should give them a read.”

Quinn had grabbed my arm during Edward’s description and she gave me a squeeze.

“Edward!” someone called from across the room.

“If you’ll excuse me,” he said with a smile as he moved on.

Quinn stepped out from beside me turning to look at me, her eyes were misty and I shook my head.

“You are not allowed to cry,” I demanded forcefully. “I cannot see you cry.”

There was a lot I could handle but seeing her cry would not be one of them regardless of the reason. Because rational thinking would go right out the fucking window at the sight of her tears. I would do everything in my power to make sure she never got upset, by anything.

“They’re not sad tears.” She blinked a few times.

“Don’t care,” I grumbled as she took a deep breath.