CHAPTER 25
The day of the fundraiser was filled with what I had come to think of as a lot of "hurry up and wait." We hurried to leave the hotel and get to the airport, only to wait for our flight. We hurried to board the plane, only to wait on the tarmac. Edward was right. We both did manage to nap on the flight back to St. Louis, but then it was a flurry of hurry up to get to our car and get home, only for me to wait for Alice to arrive so we could get ready for the event together.
"If I have to suffer through this, you can suffer with me," Alice had implored. "I'll help you with your hair if you help me with my makeup!"
"Deal." I giggled. Alice was no more of a dress-up sort of girl than I was. I smiled as I thought of the way she'd looked the day we met. I could imagine her and Jasper having a little girl just like Ally, complete with pigtails, Converse, and a concert t-shirt. She would be a tiny, precious punk-princess. I couldn't wait!
Of course, I knew Edward had asked Victoria to come to the house for a brief meeting, and I knew what that meeting would entail. Edward was going to tell Victoria about my new position in his foundation and about her removal from the core advisory group. It wasn't that I was being a coward, exactly, by hiding out in my office; I just didn't want my presence to feel like I was rubbing salt in a wound.
I spent time getting the staff scheduled for the next two weeks lined up with the calendar on my phone. Everything would be set and in proper order when Mrs. Spreckles returned at the end of the month. Hopefully, she'd come back and be able to step right into business as usual without too much disruption. I even told Edward I'd stick around for a week after her return, just to make the transition go smoothly. I'd then transition back to my place at Angela's and, hopefully, get into my own apartment soon after.
"You don't have to leave just because Spreckles is coming back, you know," Edward had said, tugging at my hips until my body was flush to his. "You can stay here. With me."
"Edward, I want to have my own place."
"It's not like I'm here much, anyway," he needlessly reminded me. "You'd have all the privacy you want."
"It's not about having privacy." I shook my head. "It's about normalcy. Do you remember how you picked me up out front for our first date?"
"Mmhmm." Edward pressed his lips together, frowning while he twisted a piece of my hair around his finger.
"You liked the idea of coming to my front door. Well… I want to have a front door. My own front door."
"Fine." He sighed. "But fully expect I'm going to be knocking on your door at very odd hours."
"Okay." I smiled.
"And I'm going to have to insist that your place have a good security system. I don't want to be worried about you when I'm away."
"Edward? Breathe." I laughed. "It's gonna be great. You'll see."
"I don't know how it'll be great when you're not here."
I was lost in the memory, thinking about the way he'd so sweetly kissed me, when Mrs. Waters knocked on my office door.
"Bella?" she asked.
"Hmm?" I blinked up at her, placing my phone on my desk.
"The gardener would like to speak to you out back."
"Oh! Sure." I smiled. "Thank you." I followed her toward the door. "Does Edward still have his… guest?"
"Victoria?" Mrs. Waters made a slight face. "They've been in his office for the past forty-five minutes."
"Will you let me know when she leaves?"
"Absolutely." She nodded.
After speaking with the gardener, I took a walk around the property to enjoy a few minutes of quiet time before the day became a rush once more. I saw Alice on the patio when I made my way back toward the house.
"There you are!" She smiled. "Mrs. Water's told me you were out here."
"I was waiting for Victoria to leave," I admitted, wrinkling my nose.
"You're in luck. I just spoke to her in the hall. She was looking for you in your office. I think she wanted to talk to you, but I told her we have plans."
"Thank you." I sighed. "I supposed I'll have to talk with her later, but maybe it'll go easier in a room full of witnesses."
"Are you afraid of her?" Alice snorted.
"No." I shook my head. "I just don't want anything to spoil this day."
"Then let's get our asses in gear." Alice smiled. "We only have about an hour to get ready!"
Edward was standing at the foot of the stairs when we entered the house.
"How did it go?" I asked, reaching for his hand.
"Surprisingly well." He smiled. "I think Vickie's relieved. She didn't really sign on for all of the extra work. She's already so busy, you know."
"Yeah?"
"Working on this fundraiser was a little too much strain on her schedule." He rubbed his chin. "It was enough to make her see she wouldn't have adequate time to devote to the foundation as we grow. She did offer to volunteer on an as-needed basis, though."
"Well… That sounds less dramatic than I thought it might be."
"Me, too." Edward shrugged. "She just left. I think she'd like tonight to go well, you know, since it was a big project for her. Alice? I didn't expect you so soon. Did you take care of the final details?"
"Yep." She grinned. "Bella and I are going to help each other get ready for the dinner." She smiled. "Bella's doing my makeup."
"But Bella hardly wears makeup." Edward frowned.
"That's the point." Alice rolled her eyes. "When I try to get ready for fancy things, it looks like I try too hard. Bella will get it just right. It takes a careful hand to apply makeup so that it looks like you aren't really wearing makeup."
"Poor girls." Edward smiled, cupping my chin so he could place a small kiss on my lips. "I don't envy you. All I have to do to get ready is take a shower and get dressed up in my monkey suit."
"Rub it in." I elbowed him playfully. "Not all of us look great without trying."
"You could go dressed like this and still be the most beautiful woman in the room." Edward smiled.
"Sure." I snorted. "That will be the theme of your next fundraiser. Leggings and t-shirts."
"Don't forget your flip-flops," he teased.
"You're going to make us late," Alice grumbled. "Jasper's going to be here soon. I thought we could all go over together."
"All right. Get going." Edward shrugged.
In the end, Alice looked like an angel in ice blue. She wore a thin jeweled headband pushed into her short, dark hair, and she positively glowed. I knew the radiance came less from the highlighting powder I'd pressed to her cheekbones and more to do with her pregnancy, but she still swore I'd worked magic on her flawless skin.
I, however, looked to be her opposite, dressed in red. It had been an unusual decision for me, but I was glad I'd made it. Alice had twisted all of my hair in a low chignon, which bared my neck and the top of my shoulders, an effect that made me feel graceful and elegant. I felt almost regal, and I borrowed confidence from the color I wore.
"Edward's going to die." Alice giggled. "He won't be able to keep his hands off you, you know!"
"Alice!"
"Don't let him drag you into the coat closet!"
"He would never!"
Oh, but he would. As soon as I came upstairs and saw the look on Edward's face as he watched me approach, I knew he would. Edward stared at me like he wanted to eat me alive, and the very thought of what might come later sent a shiver up my spine.
"Miss Swan?" Edward shook his head and smiled. "I have no words."
"Good, because we don't have time for a speech." Jasper chuckled. "We're going to be late!"
"Ahh. But there's something missing," Edward cocked his head, still looking at me. "Alice?"
"Hmm." She tapped her finger to her chin. "You know, brother…" She nodded. "I think you're right." Alice reached into her bag and handed Edward a small white box. "The item you requested, sir."
"Edward!" I put my hand to my chest, inhaling sharply when he opened the box before me. Inside was a pair of stunning diamond drop earrings. "You didn't!"
"I didn't." He shook his head. "These are borrowed. I promise."
"From the same place that leant me this." Alice pointed at her headband. "I picked them up on the way over."
"Thank you both." I smiled widely.
I put the earrings in place and then took a deep breath. Now I really did feel like royalty. "Well?"
"The diamonds do nothing for you." Edward lifted my hand and kissed the back of my knuckles. "In this case, the lady outshines the jewels."
"Oh, God." Jasper rolled his eyes. "It's getting deep in here, and this one wouldn't let me wear my boots tonight!" He hugged Alice to his side and playfully kissed her on the cheek.
"Can we go now?" I was beginning to feel awkward as the center of so much attention and teasing.
"I think we should." Edward nodded, offering his arm. As soon as Jasper and Alice had stepped far enough ahead of us, he leaned down and whispered in my ear. "The sooner we get this over with, the sooner I can get you back here. Alone." Again, I shivered. Edward noticed and gave me one of my favorite half-grins that made me feel weak in the knees.
The hall booked for the event was amazing. Chandeliers and candlelight made the room sparkle. Victoria had done her job well, filling the space with well-dressed, very important people. Alice? She'd made the event beautiful and exactly what Edward had hoped for. The party was elegant but not stodgy. Laughter and light conversation made the atmosphere seem relaxed despite the formal wear worn by attendants. Politicians, celebrities, and baseball players rubbed elbows, danced, dined, and generally seemed to have a very good time.
And Victoria? Victoria was… pleasant. If she seemed a little cool when she congratulated me about my new position, I could contribute it to the fact she had a lot on her mind. People seemed to be pulling her in a million different directions, eager to talk to her for official comments and statements to be used in various publications. Riley was her doting date, refreshing her drink and following her around from group to group. He grinned at me once, giving me a thumbs up. I returned the gesture, feeling like I had a partner in the chaos. Victoria was dating someone else and apparently holding no grudges about ending her working relationship with the foundation. It seemed she had, in fact, moved on.
Edward was adorably awkward and charming when he had to step up on stage to give his speech. I don't know what I had expected, but listening to him slightly stammer through the delivery of his statement made him somehow more dear to me. And the real, honest way he spoke about his mission with the foundation clearly convinced everyone in the room it was a work of the heart. Edward might not have been a polished public speaker, but it was evident he was passionate about leveling the playing field for children with special needs.
"Children with developmental disabilities cannot be, um, lumped into neat, tidy little black and white boxes. I mean, every child is different and unique. We hope to make it possible for these children to enjoy baseball. Maybe that just means they'll be able to go to a game with their family, or, if they want, they can learn to play and become actively, um, involved with the sport through summer camps and after-school programs. Damn. I'm sorry." Edward dropped his head for a moment and cleared his throat. When he looked up again, his voice held no hint of wavering. "My son was able to sit through his first live baseball game to watch me play earlier this week, and that was because someone took the time to consider his personal comfort and needs. Now, I know what worked for him won't work for everyone, but that's the kind of thinking and effort we need to make for these kids, to figure out different ways to include as many people as possible. If I can help even one other family feel the way I did when I saw him up there in his seat…" Edward blew out a shaky breath. "Well, that's all I want to do. And thanks to the generosity of all of you here tonight, I think we're going to be off to a really great start in building a truly inclusive program."
Edward's speech was met with a round of exuberant applause. I, myself, clapped so hard that my palms stung. I couldn't get rid of the smile on my face.
"You're radiant," Edward told me a short while later, pressing a glass of champagne into my hand. "The dress? The room? The earrings? It suits you, Ms. Swan."
"It's none of those things." I tilted my head as I looked up at him. "It's the man. I'm so proud of you, Edward."
He thoughtfully considered me, looking into my eyes. I swore he blushed a little before he looked down.
"All of my awards on the field don't impress you nearly as much as this…"
"Because that stuff is your job," I told him. "This is your heart."
"So are you."
I let him kiss me then. It was very sweet, very long, and probably inappropriate for where we were, but I didn't care.
When Edward danced with me, I had to giggle. Neither of us was a very good dancer. We sort of swayed back and forth like an awkward couple at a high school dance.
"What's so funny?" Edward asked.
"I was just thinking I feel like I'm at prom," I teased.
"I hope the band is better." Edward rolled his eyes.
"I wouldn't know." I shrugged with my arms over his shoulders. "I never went to my prom."
"No?"
"Nope." I shook my head.
"I find it very hard to believe you didn't have five or six high school boys lined up to buy you a corsage."
"My dad was sick." I shrugged again. "I didn't want to go."
"Ahh." Edward pressed his lips together. "Well, I hope I can make it up to you. I'm not a very good dancer. Esme tried to teach me, but…"
"I'm not, either." I snorted. "When I was a little girl, my dad used to put me up on his feet."
"Do you want to stand on my feet?" Edward raised an eyebrow.
"Let's not tempt any injury." I giggled. "We'd both fall in a tangle, and half of the room would be out for my head if you couldn't play in the next game because of a freak dancing accident."
"Let's save ourselves the possible embarrassment." Edward nodded. "We can leave the dancing, but I insist that no prom experience is complete until I try to get you to put out in the back of my car."
"We'll see." I blushed, enjoying the easy banter between us. "Want to go check out the silent auction?"
In the hallway, rows and rows of tables were set up with donated gift packages. One only had to write in their name and a dollar amount on little donation sheets to try to win any number of luxury items. Most of the gifts were sports related, but several were not.
"Did you donate any of these things?" I asked.
"Mmhmm." Edward nodded. "When I won MVP, I was awarded a new Chevy truck. I donated it."
"Really?" I asked, wide-eyed.
"I don't need it." Edward shrugged. "My family has everything they need, so I figured it would bring in a nice donation for the foundation."
Edward's generosity gave me an idea of my own, and I moved around the tables, looking with renewed interest at the bidding sheets.
"Thinking of a vacation?" Edward asked when I stopped to review a folder detailing a two-day Vegas getaway.
"Wouldn't this be cool?" I asked, looking up at him. "Two days in an awesome suite on the Vegas strip? It's all inclusive! Even show tickets…"
"I didn't know you were a gambler."
"I'm taking a chance on you, aren't I?" I playfully nudged his side. "No. I don't gamble much, but since I'm Angela's maid of honor, I'm supposed to be putting together a bachelorette party. Wouldn't it be fun to take the girls to Vegas for two days before the wedding?"
"It sounds like a great idea." Edward nodded, reaching for a bidding sheet. "Angela would love it."
"What are you doing?" I asked, slapping at his hand.
"I'm going to bid!"
"Don't you dare!" I frowned. "You'll out-bid me! I want to win this!"
"I can win it for you." Edward smiled. "It'll make me feel better about the fact I'll be on a road trip and can't be your date for the wedding."
"A guilt trip?" I rolled my eyes. "No, thank you. I want to do this on my own."
"You have extra money lying around I don't know about?" Edward asked. "I thought you were saving."
"I am." I shrugged. "But Doc told me he knows someone who offered to buy my truck. I'm going to let him. He said he could get $30,000 for it. So, it turns out, I do have some extra money lying around, and I'd like to spend it here, for the foundation."
"Bella!" Edward gasped before grabbing my wrist. "I can't let you sell your father's truck!"
"I don't need it." I smiled, shaking my head. "Not anymore, Edward. You're donating your truck. Why can't I donate mine?"
"Are you sure?" he asked, eyebrows pressed down. "I know how much that truck means to you."
"I was going to have to junk it, Edward. You're the one who got it fixed up, and you've also made sure I have a really nice 'company car' to drive. I'm sure."
"All right, then." He smiled. "Good luck winning your trip."
"Thank you." I pulled my shoulders back and reached for a bidding sheet.
"Don't bid more than $5,000," Edward suggested. "I haven't noticed a lot of activity near this end of the room. I think most people are spending their money on the World Series pack."
"Thank you." I smiled, accepting his advice. Just because I had the extra money didn't mean I wanted to be outrageous in my gift to Angela.
"There you are!" Alice called out, just as I was dropping my slip into the box. "Edward, we need you to get back up on stage! They're getting ready to auction off the players!"
"Shit," Edward muttered. "Okay. Let's do this."
Edward joined fourteen other men on stage, each looking adorably awkward as they smiled and waved out to the crowd of people who returned to their seats for the auction. I fanned myself with the baseball paddle Alice gave me, watching as Edward pushed his fingers through his long hair, adjusted his tie, and looked nervous.
One by one, the men stepped up to the microphone to state their names and the teams they played for. Some of them told brief stories about why they had agreed to donate their time and talents to the event. One catcher told the crowd about what it was like to grow up with a sister who has Down Syndrome, and another man talked about his love for a nephew who was on the autism spectrum. Every one of them described the event they were bringing to the auction.
One player offered to give personal batting lessons. One man offered a date to the symphony. Edward offered up dinner and a movie. Jasper planned to go to someone's house to work their grill for a barbeque. The audience was in hysterics when the third baseman from the Cubs offered to come to someone's house and wash and wax a vehicle of their choice in only a blue speedo. I had a feeling that would bring in the highest donations for the night. He was cute! I gestured to Edward that I would consider bidding on that guy and earned a playful scowl in response.
And then the auction began. It was a rowdy affair. Guests hooted and yelled and cat-called the men on the auction block while they continued to bid crazy amounts of money. It was all done in fun and for a great cause. I noticed some of the wealthier women in attendance bidding ludicrous amounts of money for some of the men who offered dates, and it made me wonder just how much someone might be willing to pay to sit in a theater seat beside Edward.
When Jasper stepped up for the bidding, Alice was ready to go.
"No one is coming between me, my man, and food!" she insisted. I smiled as she outbid a couple who seemed hell-bent on the barbeque. Alice paid $15,000 to win her fiancé. "I'll be right back." She smiled. "That guy looks really disappointed. I'm going to invite them over to our place so he can share the prize!"
I loved her good attitude and hoped I could stay as gracious when I watched people bidding for Edward.
Turns out, I couldn't.
Edward started the bidding with a large number of people that seemed interested in winning him, probably because he was the host of the event. As the number climbed, however, the number of people bidding started to narrow out.
"If I win, will you share your popcorn, you sexy beast?" some man yelled out over the crowd, making everyone laugh. Edward nodded and gave the guy a thumbs up.
Eventually, however, as the bids exceeded the $10,000 mark, I noticed there were only women left who were raising their paddles. I shouldn't have been surprised. Who wouldn't want to go out on a casual date with The Lion? I saw an elderly woman sitting at a table to my right who kept repeatedly raising her paddle.
"That wouldn't be so bad," I whispered over to Alice. "She looks sweet. I hope she wins!"
"She could be bidding for her super-hot granddaughter or something." Alice frowned.
"It's all for fun." I shrugged.
"Sure." Alice nodded. "Who keeps raising the bid?"
We both started looking around, trying to discern which tables were still in the bidding war. Try as I might, I couldn't see who else was lifting their paddle to win Edward.
"$16,000 from table eight!" the emcee spoke into the mic. "Do I see $17,000?"
The elderly lady raised her paddle again after a moment of hesitation, but her bid was cancelled out immediately by the emcee who received a bid for $18,000.
"Who the fuck is bidding that much?" Alice asked, craning her neck.
I leaned back in my chair, looking to the right. As luck would have it, I was able to catch the moment Victoria raised her paddle, bidding $20,000.
"That bitch!" I hissed. I immediately looked back to the lady who had been bidding, biting my lip as I saw her shake her head and place her paddle on the table in front of her. Anyone—anyone—in the room could've won that date with Edward, and I would've been fine with it… but not Victoria. It felt like a personal insult, coming from her. Feeling a possessive streak flash through me, I grabbed my paddle and held it up as far as my arm could reach.
"$25,000!" I spoke loudly. I could feel eyes turn with curiosity in my direction. I didn't care. Edward saw me, and his face broke into a large, happy grin. He stepped forward in front of the emcee to grab the microphone.
"SOLD!"
Maybe it wasn't the way the bidding should have ended, but I didn't care. Edward didn't give Victoria a chance to counter my offer. He jumped down off the stage and hurried across the room to me. I could hear applause erupt around us when Edward reached for me and dipped me back in a very theatrical kiss.
"Oh, God," I muttered, covering my face with my hands when he finally righted me. People were still clapping, and I was mortified.
"What did you do, you crazy, crazy woman?" Edward asked me. "What can I say?" Edward spoke loudly, tossing his arms out. "She loves me!"
"Sit down!" I groaned, feeling the color of my face match my dress.
"I would've paid extra if I knew I'd get a smooch like that!" the rowdy man from before yelled out, providing comic relief once again.
Edward sat beside me throughout the rest of the auction. I'd been right. The Cubs player brought in $30,000 to wash a car in his speedo. A cute redhead wearing glasses jumped up and down like she'd won the lottery after she had the highest bid. Altogether, the accumulated total for the players' auction brought in a staggering amount of money for the foundation. Edward kissed me once more before he had to return to the stage.
"Brilliant idea," Edward murmured against my mouth. "I love you."
"If I weren't pregnant, I would bitch slap her." Alice continued to complain about Victoria, scowling over toward table eight. "She's got a lot of nerve!"
"Don't worry about her." I shook my head. It was over. Bidding aside, I could have a date with Edward any day of the week. Victoria would've had to pay for that time. It felt really good to think of it that way. The money was never really mine to begin with. I didn't mind adding it all to the total brought in for the evening.
"She's coming this way." Alice frowned. "I'm leaving."
"Don't." I shook my head.
"I'm going to make a really big scene if I stay," Alice told me. "It would be better if I went to find Jasper."
I rose from the table, intent to follow behind Alice, but stopped when Victoria reached out to touch my shoulder from behind. I turned, faking a surprised look as though I hadn't noticed her approach.
"Oh! Victoria!"
"Good job. Congratulations on that auction." She nodded. The smile on her face looked as fake as I knew my own expression was. "It was cute how you two had that one set up! Everyone loved it."
"Yeah… It all worked out." I nodded. If I denied her claim, she'd know I purposefully outbid her. It was best to let her think it was planned.
Victoria's groomed eyebrows pulled up. "You know I was only bidding to raise the amount, right? All for a good cause?"
"Sure." I nodded. "Um… Excuse me. I need to check on the silent auction."
I left her standing there at the table and stepped out into the hall. They were just getting ready to place the winner's names at the tables, and so I turned to walk toward the Vegas trip. It was there when I ran into Riley, who had just walked away from the coat room and was heading toward the elevators.
"Riley?" I called out. He turned, looking aggravated, and then lowered his shoulders and smiled in my direction when he saw me. "What are you doing?" I asked, walking up beside him. "Are you leaving?"
"Yeah." He sighed. "That auction was bullshit. I've been suitably humiliated for the evening. I'm out of here."
"Humiliated?"
"Vickie bidding on Edward?" Riley rolled his eyes. "Come on."
"She said she was just trying to get the other lady to keep bidding."
"Fuck that." Riley scowled. "If you believe that shit, you're more naive than I thought."
"Hey!"
"Listen." He shook his head and lightly touched my arm. "I'm sorry. I'm pissed, and I'm taking it out on you. But if Victoria keeps trying to sell that story, ask her how many other players she bid on. Go ahead. If she was trying to raise the bids, she would've done it for more than just Edward. Hell, she didn't even touch her paddle for any of the other Cardinals players. That chick is damaged. I'm done."
"I'm sorry."
"Not your fault, doll. I'm heading back to California, where things are normal."
"Ugh!" I turned and didn't make it past two tables before I was stopped by the elderly woman who had been bidding to win a date with Edward.
"Are you Isabella Swan?" the woman asked.
"I am." I nodded, feeling a real smile pull at my lips. "And you are?"
"Lorraine Garner." She smiled, offering her hand to shake mine. "Did I hear correctly that you're working with the foundation?"
"I am." I smiled. "It's nice to meet you."
"I can certainly see why Mr. Cullen is so taken with you." She grinned. "You're beautiful!"
"Oh. Thank you." I blushed. "I'm sorry about the auction."
"That's all right." She fluttered her fingers. "I bid more than I should have. I would've been happy to win any of the Redbirds, really. I gave myself a limit of $10,000, but I didn't win the other players, so I bid a little more on Edward, since he was the last one I could have tried for."
"Are you a big fan?"
"Of the Cardinals? Yes. Always have been." She smiled. "My husband and I have had season tickets every summer for the last thirty-five years. Well, Arthur passed away last winter. He would've loved to attend this fundraiser with me, so I was donating in his honor. We had dinner with Stan Musial at an event like this one once! Can you imagine?"
"That must've been amazing." I nodded.
"Anyway, I just wanted to congratulate you, dear," Lorraine told me. "It was nice to meet you."
"Wait. Lorraine?" I implored her to stay when I saw Edward walking through the crowd toward us.
"Yes?" She didn't see Edward behind her, so I smiled up at him over her shoulder.
"Edward?" I asked, greeting him. "This is Lorraine Garner."
"Oh!" The woman put her hand over her heart and turned her body as Edward moved to stand beside me. "Oh, dear!"
"Ms. Garner?" Edward replied. "Nice to meet you."
The woman seemed speechless, so I lightly bumped Edward's side with my hip.
"Lorraine was the nice lady who was bidding on a date with you."
"Really?" He smiled politely. "I'm honored. Thank you, ma'am."
"I…" Lorraine still looked dumbfounded.
"She and her husband have been Cardinals fans for years," I continued. "Unfortunately, he passed away recently."
"I'm very sorry to hear that."
"She was just telling me she and Arthur had dinner with Stan Musial once!"
"Really? Wow!" Edward didn't have to fake his enthusiasm. "Stan the Man!"
"I was just thinking… You two would probably have a lot of fun baseball memories you could share if I gave her the date I just won."
Edward's eyebrows shot up as he looked at me questioningly. I nodded, hoping he'd play along.
"Well, that would be wonderful." Edward caught on quickly. He turned his head and smiled at the woman. "What do you think, Lorraine? Would you like to go to a movie and dinner with me?"
"I…" She looked back and forth between the two of us. "Are you serious?"
"I am!" I giggled. "Edward's a sucker for old baseball stories. I think you'd both enjoy the night out."
"Of course." Lorraine smiled. "If you're sure…"
"I am," I promised. "Here. Just make sure you give your number to the emcee of the auction so Edward can reach out to you for a time that works."
"Thank you. Thank you so much." Lorraine looked misty-eyed. "Arthur would've been so thrilled. Thank you!"
"She seemed very sweet," Edward told me after Lorraine walked away.
"She should've won." I shrugged. "Thank you, Edward."
"Anything for you, Bella."
"Anything?"
"Yes. Anything. Why? Did you have something else in mind?"
"Maybe," I teased. "I was thinking it would be fun to watch you wash my car in only a red speedo!"
I won a date with Edward and gave it away. I won a trip to Vegas and couldn't wait to surprise Angela with an amazing bachelorette party. The man who had been cat-calling Edward during the auction walked away with a shiny new Chevy truck. Edward won, too. The fundraiser was a huge success, and the foundation made a mind-boggling amount of money to get started. And even though I didn't go all the way with him in the back of his car, we did make out like a couple of horny teenagers after we dropped Jasper and Alice off for the night.
Best not-a-prom night ever. Not even Victoria was able to ruin it. I was just thankful the event was over because that meant Victoria's seat on the foundation committee was officially vacant. Edward and I could finally move forward.
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