Chapter 21 Theo
Theo
After getting Quinn settled, I snuck in an hour of work in Asher’s suite next door. Normally we didn’t work on the weekend but with our day off on Monday, I had a few things I needed in place to ensure I could enjoy my time with Noah’s parents and focus on Quinn.
After that, I’d gotten myself ready and was now waiting in the living room for Quinn to come out, her team had already left informing me she was getting her shoes on.
I was in a tux with a navy blue bow tie, simple and classic.
I’d managed to tame my wavy dark hair back off my forehead, although a single piece had already fallen out of place.
I normally would work to get it to stay back, but I knew Quinn loved that piece of hair and would often lovingly push it back and pat it in place. I would do anything to give her a reason to smile, and to touch me, so I didn’t gel it back like I did a few months before Quinn.
I was adjusting my cuff links when the door opened and I looked up to see her. Pretty sure my brain short circuited.
Her hair was loosely curled with only a few pieces pinned back to keep them out of her face, her makeup was light but accentuated her eyes, making the green stand out.
She had simple gold diamond earrings on that matched the single diamond on her necklace and the diamond tennis bracelet on her wrist, those were hers to keep along with the dress, even though we would likely argue about it later.
But what really had taken my breath away was the way she was wearing that fucking dress.
She was in a navy-blue dress that looked stunning against her red hair, it had a tight top and went straight down to the ground with a slit on one side to show her leg and the nude open toed heels she had on.
The neckline was modest but her boobs looked incredible.
I hadn’t picked the dress, just given them the color.
Someone was going to get a big tip for the choice.
Then with a cheeky smile on her face she did a slow spin and I instantly regretted the dress. The whole back was open, showing off the little dimple she had at the base of her spine. The whole thing was being held up by one thin piece of loose material at her shoulders.
“So…” she said as she finished her spin and looked at me.
“Bloody hell.” I resisted the urge to run a hand down my face and adjust myself in my pants. “You look incredible.”
“Thanks,” she beamed at me.
That smile alone was worth me having to glare at every man who would look at her tonight. “You should change,” I grumbled as she walked toward me, ignoring my comment.
“How did you get my size right?” she asked, coming up to me and adjusting my bow tie, even though I knew it was perfectly straight.
“My secret,” I said and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “You look beautiful, Love.”
“You don’t look so bad yourself, handsome.” Her eyes roaming over me.
Shit, if we didn’t get out of here, we would be late because my whole body was alive with that look.
“Everyone is waiting for us downstairs.” I cleared my throat as I offered her my arm and ushered her out of the room to the elevator.
“It is seriously a good thing you shopped for me because I would’ve never picked something this fancy for a charity event,” she said with a laugh.
When we stepped into the hotel lobby, everyone else was already waiting for us. They’d chosen to forgo dates since it was harder to arrange now that we weren’t living here. They all turned to us as we joined the group.
“Damn, Q.” Noah whistled. “You look hot.”
“Watch it.” I threw him a glare and pulled her closer as she laughed.
She let go of my arm as we made our way toward the limo, it was a short walk to where the event was being hosted but I didn’t want Quinn to have to walk in her heels. Asher came up beside me and clapped me on the shoulder.
“You’re regretting the dress choice, aren’t you?” he asked with a laugh as we both stared at her open back.
Five minutes later we were pulling up out front of the Kensington Palace Pavilion. We’d rented the full event venue, including the garden with a fountain the size of a pool so people were able to move easily from indoor to outdoor. It was the third year in a row the event had been held here.
“Wow,” Quinn mused as I gave her my hand to help her out of the limo. “This place is insane.” She looked around as I led her inside. I hadn’t told her what this event was for. I’m surprised she was letting me get away with it, but I think there was enough going on to distract her.
“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.
“What you’re doing here, in the name of your mom… is incredible.”
I shook my head and looked around the room. “I provided seed money, I back the charity and get people here to donate. I don’t do much of anything.” I looked back to see her shaking her head at me.
“Was it your idea that launched it?” She pushed.
“A lot of people were involved.” I dropped my hands from her and straightened my sleeve to try and get away from this conversation; it was making me uncomfortable.