“So what made you start this particular organization?” I ask Will, who smiles at his wife.
“That’s on me,” she says, pushing her hair over her shoulder. “I was a foster kid. Leo was actually in some of the same homes as me. Anyway, it can really suck, and we’re in a position to help. So we help.”
“And now, with Ryker joining us, we’ll be able to help more,” Will says, and my eyes fly up to Ryker, who’s frowning down at his untouched glass of champagne.
“It’s a big deal,” Meg adds, and I’m so damn proud of my man, I let go of his hand and loop my arms around him.
“I’m proud of you.”
He kisses the top of my head. “I’ll tell you more later.”
“I’ll hold you to that.”
“We have to go welcome everyone,” Meg says and smiles at me. “It’s really nice to meet you.”
“Same here. Thanks for doing this. I love it.”
Ry and I stay standing where we are as Will and Meg take the little stage and Will reaches for the microphone.
“Hello, everyone,” he says, catching the crowd’s attention. “I wanted to take a moment before dinner starts to say thank you for being here, and for supporting our Foundation for Foster Kids. We sold every single ticket for this party, and I know it’s not because I’m pretty to look at.”
That gets him some laughs.
“I know you’re here for Sid, and we’ll bring her out in a bit. The ten million dollars that we raised here tonight is going to go a long way toward making some kids’ lives better. For that, I am deeply grateful. Now, before we go, I wanted to quickly introduce you to my new cochair of the organization, Ryker James.”
Everyone turns to look at Ry, who smiles and gives them a wave. He kisses my temple and then joins Will on the stage.
“Thank you,” he says. “I’m proud to be here. I know what it feels like to be a kid without any options, and if I didn’t have the adoptive parents who took me in when they did, I likely wouldn’t be here, at this fancy party, hanging out with the likes of all of you.”
I swallow hard and brush a tear aside.
“So it’s an honor to help this organization in any way I can. And yes, we raised ten million dollars tonight, but we’re always taking donations.”
He winks as everyone laughs, and then steps aside, and Will takes over again.
“Have fun tonight, everyone,” Will says, and then Ryker is back at my side.
“We haveso muchto talk about later,” I say to him before cupping his cheek and kissing him sweetly. “You’re incredible.”
He just smiles, and we go back to mingling.
I can’t believe it, but as time passes, I actually loosen up. Even though I’m surrounded by movie stars and elite athletes and celebrities that I never thought in a million years I’d ever be in a room with.
Is that Vaughn Barrymore, the actor?
Holy shit.
Dinner is delicious, and then I really need to find a restroom.
“I’ll be back,” I say to Ry, who frowns down at me.
“Where are you off to, Trouble?”
“Restroom.”
“I’ll go with you.”
I shake my head at him. “I’m fine.”
