Mia raised her eyebrows. There was so much more to that statement than he was saying. His body language was screaming that he had a crush on Laura and there was much more than just a simple meeting. She was about to ask him about it, but the Vanderbilts spotted them.
“Ethan,” Mrs. Vanderbilt greeted him. She was an older woman who glittered with every motion she wore so many diamonds. “It's so nice to see you again. We've already donated, but I'm interested in doing more. Is there a foundation set up for these kids?”
Mia's heart fluttered. It was her dream to set up a foundation. The fact that someone was asking about it gave her hope that someday it could become a reality.
“Mia can tell you more,” Ethan told her, motioning to Mia. “She's the star of the show tonight.”
Mrs. Vanderbilt smiled warmly at her and Mia's smile grew.
“There's a couple of charities I can recommend,” Mia said, slowly gaining confidence. “Your donation here goes a long way. Let me tell you about some of our kids...”
Ethan winked at her and Mia focused on telling the donors about her sweet Grayson and how they could help him and others like him. A fresh wave of optimism swept over her. This was going to be amazing. She was going to make sure a lot of kids got help tonight.
Chapter 24
Mia
Nine hours later, Mia's feet hurt so badly she could barely walk, but she didn't care. She barely felt it. She was on top of the world. She couldn't stop smiling, even though her face ached. She was fairly sure she wasn't going to stop smiling for at least the next week.
“I had a wonderful time with you tonight,” Ethan told her as he walked her out of the theater. She held onto his arm less for stability and more because he was half carrying her. Mia and high heels were not friends.
“Thank you so much, Ethan,” Mia told him. “I don't know how I would have done it without you. You sure know how to work a crowd.”
Ethan grinned. “That's why Carter pays me the big bucks,” he told her. “Here's your ride home.”
He brought her to the side of a long black limo. The street was quiet since everyone else had long ago gone home. Not even the bars were open anymore.
“Thank you again,” she said as the driver came around to open the door for her. “And thank you for donating, too. It means the world to me.”
He chuckled. “After listening to you rave about how amazing these kids are and how far even a dollar would go to help them, how could I not donate something?” He gave her hand a squeeze. “I had a great time. I'm actually glad I got to go to this, but don't tell Carter or he'll get all jealous.”
She nodded. “Mum's the word, got it.”
The driver opened the door, and Ethan helped her inside. “Have a wonderful night,” he said as she slid inside.
“I will,” she replied. She paused and grinned at him. “And I'll tell Laura you say hello.”
Hope and fear filled his face at the same time, making him look like he was either going to be sick or start dancing in the street. She couldn't help but laugh a little as he quickly regained control and glared at her. There was definitely something going on between those two. She didn't know what, but she had a feeling she would find out eventually.
The driver shut the door, and Ethan shook his head as he walked away. Mia chuckled to herself and relaxed back against the seat, closing her eyes. Now that she was in a dark, quiet space, she was suddenly exhausted. Talking to hundreds of people was a lot of effort.
“I take it things went well?” a voice asked in the darkness. It was a voice that Mia knew and loved.
“Carter!” she exclaimed, opening her eyes. He was sitting near the driver, hidden from view of the door. “What are you doing here?”
“Making sure Ethan doesn't steal my girl,” he replied. “Do I have to go challenge him to a fight at noon by the flagpole?”
“He was a perfect gentleman,” Mia assured him, sliding on the black leather seat to sit next to him. He held open his arm, and she leaned into him, instantly relaxed by his touch. “I think he's got eyes for someone else. You have no reason to be jealous.”
“He got to spend all evening with you dressed like this,” Carter replied, looking her over. “How can I not be jealous?”
“Because it was your idea?” Mia offered. She snuggled into him. “Besides, even if he had been interested, I'm not on the market.”
Carter's arms tightened around her, and his chest swelled beneath her cheek. She smiled, knowing that her words made him happy.
“Tell me how it- hold on, I was supposed to get this call an hour ago.” Carter pulled out his vibrating phone from his pocket. “Carter.”
The voice on the other end said something, but Mia couldn't hear what it was.