got the full picture."
He rolls his head toward me. "I forgot about your degree. Why are you working in a credit union if you have an art degree?"
"Oh. You want all the fun details tonight."
"Bring it on."
I've already told him more than I ever planned on. But the words continue to roll out of my mouth. "Ok. My husband was a musician in a band. I took the job at the credit union and a second one to support his career. Albums, equipment, and costumes all cost money. And then when he left, I was pregnant. So..." I shrug my shoulders.
"He's never seen Abby, then?"
"No."
"He doesn't pay you child support?"
"I don't know where he's at. There's no way to collect it."
"Do you have family who helps you?"
"My mom died—she hated him, by the way. Every chance she had to tell me to run from him, she did. But I didn't listen. When he left, Cee Cee helped me. I don't have any other family."
"Cee Cee is your cousin?"
Enough about me.
"Yes. Are you close to your family?"
The same expression he had when he told me about the charity event tonight fills his face. "My mom is in New York."
"Are you an only child?"
He stares out the window. "Depends on how you determine that."
"What do you mean?"
He turns back. "You didn't ask me how I made my money."
"Isn't it rude to ask?"
He smiles. "I don't think you're a rude person."
"No?"
"No."
I wince. "Even when I mistake a nice gesture like a spa day?"
He smiles. "Even then."
"Hmmm. Okay, I'll bite. How did you make your money?"
He licks his lips and swallows. "Do you remember the issues a few years ago about water contamination in Queens?"
I turn in my seat. "Yes. They linked it to the chemical plant, didn't they?"
"Yes."
"What about it?"
He glances at his feet then back at me. "We were one of the families affected. My father got prostate cancer and died when I was ten. My younger sister was eight when she passed from leukemia. My mother had breast cancer but survived."
I put my hand over my mouth, too stunned to speak. My eyes fill with tears. "I'm so sorry."
He focuses on the divider window. "We were poor. There weren't a lot of options, especially with both my parents out of work. I'm still unsure why I didn't get sick."
I put my hand on his.
His blue eyes darken. "Anyway, shortly after I graduated high school, my mom received the proceeds from the lawsuit. She gave me money to go to college, but instead, I took it and invested in properties. Then I started buying companies with it."
"Wow."
"The fundraiser tonight is for a nonprofit children's ward. It'll be a state-of-the-art cancer center in my sister's name. While it won't turn away any child, the purpose is to help those children who can't afford treatment. My mom will be there. She's heading it up and has been working on it for years."
My heart almost stops. He's building a center for children like Abby? I'm so choked up, I can hardly speak. "That's amazing."
The driver pulls up to the curb and comes to our door. He opens it, and Colton steps out, then reaches in for me. I try to contain my shock. We're at the hospital Abby is always at. It's the part I've never been in since it's reserved for events. The pit in my stomach I always get when I'm here grows.
I need to calm down. It's a different reason I'm here. It's a good reason.
There's a red carpet and photographers. In a blur, I go through the motions, smiling while Colton guides me through it.
"Sorry about all the chaos. It's a necessary evil for donations. I forgot to warn you," Colton says when we get inside.
Pull it together. This is an important night.
I smile. "It's okay. I don't have any money to donate, but if your mom needs any help, I could volunteer."
He smiles. "You would want to do that?"
I nod. "Yes. Very much."
He hesitates then says, "Do you want to meet her? She's in front of the Christmas trees."
"Please."
He leads me through a sea of people with his arm around my waist. The ballroom is huge and decorated for Christmas. Instrumental holiday-themed music plays. Three giant Christmas trees are at the front.
A beautiful woman with dark hair and gray streaks running through it stands in front of them, shaking hands and hugging guests. She wears a long green dress. When she sees Colton, her face lights up.
They embrace, and he