Free Saving Forever - Part 3 by Lexy Timms, B+r Publishing, Book Cover By Design Page A

set strategically throughout to make each table seem like it had its own privacy and still be in a large room. It looked great.
    The room had filled quickly with the people who had volunteered to be part of the auction. The dinner had raised over forty thousand dollars. Charity had aimed for ten. She loved being ahead of schedule. Her contract was set for two years, but if she continued on the pace they were going, she would be done in a year. The city of Atlanta was a very giving community.
    She wiped her hands on her dress, trying to wipe the imaginary sweat away. She had found a gorgeous tight red dress that was seductive, but perfectly presentable for the dinner. Samantha was the host for the evening and had warned her that she would get Charity to stand up when she made her opening speech. The dress was perfect, and the black lace bra and thong underneath would be the dessert Elijah had been hinting at. She had put champagne on ice back at her place and had everything set: music, strawberries, and whip cream. It would be a perfect evening.
    Dr. Parker came up to her and smiled. “You look lovely.”
    Charity gave him a hug. He was such a nice guy. “You look nervous.”
    His eyebrows came up. “You can tell? I’m not too keen on not knowing who’s coming to dinner with me.”
    “That’s part of the fun, the surprise of seeing who bought a plate to sit with you.”
    “Do you know who’s coming?”
    She shook her head. “Not a clue. Don’t even know who bid on me.” Nobody would know how much each plate had been purchased for, either. Samantha had been adamant about not letting anyone feel disappointed or cocky. It wasn’t the idea behind the bidders buying their dinner. Everyone was on an equal playing field. Charity agreed and kept the bids a secret.
    A tinkling bell rang out. Samantha stood by the MC podium. She wore her hair down, a pretty skirt and blouse, and her tech glasses were nowhere to be seen. “Most of the guests have arrived. Would everyone please come stand by the wall by entrance to the hall? We’ll call out your name so you can pick your dinner date up and take them to your table.” She had shown everyone the seating chart earlier.
    As the guests came through the door, Charity could feel butterflies build in her stomach. Elijah had sent her a text earlier and told her to have a good time. He said he would be working all night and she could text and send pictures whenever she wanted. He had joked about hiring a black van and would have it parked outside the hall if she needed to make a quick getaway. Part of her believed him.
    Dr. Parker squirmed beside her when his name was called. She leaned over and whispered in his ear, “Have fun.”
    He chuckled when his date walked through the door.
    “Who is it?” Charity asked.
    “My ex-wife. She bought the ticket.”
    “There were three women bidding after you.”
    He looked at her in surprise. “I thought you said you didn’t know?”
    “Go, she’s waiting. She’s the lucky one.”
    “No, I am.” He smiled at his ex-wife and walked over to her.
    Charity could see the adoration in his eyes and realized they were both still in love with each other. It was really sweet. She straightened her dress when Samantha called her name. The room had filled up and low chatter and laughter drifted through the air. She was the last auction standing. She stared at the door, wondering what Elijah would be wearing. A tux? Something dark to bring out the gorgeous blue in his eyes? It didn’t matter. He would look gorgeous in anything.
    She gasped when the doors opened.

Chapter 11
     
    It wasn’t Elijah who came through the doors. Not even close.
    Charity knew her mouth hung open. She closed it and blinked several times, trying to make the man at the entrance turn into Elijah.
    Alex . The bastard of an ex-boyfriend who had disappeared when her mother had gotten sick. What the hell is he doing here?
    Samantha called her name again and Charity realized