Page 46 of Stone Promises

“What do you mean?”

“The donation,” I say.

His eyebrows shoot up. “Charlie made a donation?”

He didn’t know. Somehow that makes me happy. “Donation is an understatement,” I say. “More like a miracle. She wrote a check for a million dollars, Chad.” I shake my head remembering how she nonchalantly handed it over to me like she was paying a thirty-dollar dinner tab. “Who does that? After only one visit?”

“Well, her mom died last year, leaving her quite a bit of money. And it’s no secret she and Ethan are well off. He told me a few months ago she was looking for a good cause—I guess she found it. You must have impressed her the other night, Mal. She’s been researching the charity ever since. She grilled me for information, but I wasn’t much help. So, what made you get involved with that particular organization?”

“Uh . . . ” I shift awkwardly in my seat. “Well, a lot of things I guess. Do you remember Penny Garrison? She was in my grade.”

“Yeah. Blonde hair. Big . . . teeth.” He winks at me. “Slutty.”

I nod. That’s how most people remember her.

“She got pregnant after you left. Senior year.”

He snaps his head to me, looking surprised. “She did?”

“Yeah. And her parents kicked her out. She literally had nowhere to go. No friends. No relatives. She would have been out on the street if it weren’t for Hope For Life.”

“And you were always helping people, so when you found out about it . . . Makes sense; I always knew you’d end up doing something like that.”

“It’s not much,” I tell him. “I only volunteer one night a week. It’s not like I gave them a million dollars or anything.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Mal. You give your time. That is incredibly valuable. If it weren’t for people like you, organizations like that couldn’t exist.” He squeezes my hand. “My girlfriend—teacher of the year, philanthropist . . . Are there any other hidden talents you have that I should know about?”

I blush in the darkness at his insinuation. I shake my head. “I still can’t get used to it. You calling me your girlfriend.”

“Well, get used to it, Mal. Because it’s true. But the world might have to wait a little longer to find out about it.”

I can’t help the sigh of relief that escapes me when he says that.

He laughs at the relief rolling off me in waves. “Tell me how you really feel, Mal.” He shifts in his seat so that he’s facing me. “Listen, I know this will be an adjustment for you. For me, too, believe it or not. So let’s just try to keep it to ourselves for a while. I just got you back. I don’t want to share you with anyone quite yet.”

“That sounds good to me,” I tell him. “More than good.”

“We’re here,” Cole announces from the front seat. He parks the car, but keeps it running, talking to a man outside who trades places with him in the driver’s seat as we exit the back.

When I see where we are, I’m confused. He wasn’t kidding. We really are going on a picnic. He’s brought me to Central Park. I look down at my clothes again. “Uh . . .”

Chad holds his hand out to me. “Trust me, Mallory.”

I take his hand and we follow Cole through the winding sidewalks of the park. I’m glad it hasn’t snowed recently or I’d be sloshing through it in my brand new heels. It’s already dark out. That’s probably the only reason why Chad hasn’t been mobbed yet.

We don’t walk far, maybe a few blocks, when we come upon a large tent. It’s completely enclosed on all four sides, its white fabric walls illuminated from the inside. A beautiful woman sees us coming and hurries to carry a few more items inside the tent. She emerges a minute later and greets us. “Mr. Stone, nice to see you again. Everything has been set up as requested.” She hands him her card, pointing to the phone number on it. “If you need anything, I have a team waiting in the catering van just outside the park. Just text me at this number. Anything you need.”

I take a peek at the card. It reads:Mitchell’s NYC Catering.

“Thanks, Skylar. My friends call me Chad.” He motions to me. “And this is Mallory Schaffer.”

Skylar shakes my hand. “It’s really nice to meet you. Charlie told me all about you.” She hands me one of her cards as well. “We do girls’ night a few times a month and it would be great if you’d join us. Give me a call sometime.”

“Uh, okay. Thanks.” I slip her card in my purse. Does Chad knoweveryonein this city?

As she walks away, Chad explains, “Skylar is Piper’s sister. You remember Piper Mitchell from Ethan’s dinner? Skylar manages Mitchell’s. Best restaurant in the city. I met her last fall and ever since, I haven’t missed a chance to dine there when I’m in town. She insisted on being here herself instead of appointing one of her catering managers. They have another sister, too, Baylor. Charlie practically grew up with them. Great bunch of girls. You should go to girls’ night. Take Melissa.”

I shrug. It would be nice to get to know some of the people in Chad’s life. “Maybe I will.”

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