Charitable Hearts by EJ McCay Read Free Book Online Page A

than last year’s place. Bigger, more people, more donations.”
    Maggie nodded and continued to look around.
    “Over here, we’ll have our volunteers registering people who are getting tickets when they walk in, if we have any. Last year we sold out pretty quickly.”
    “Okay.”
    “Now, these hallways will have different vendors that plan to donate part of their sales. The rooms will have panels or one-on-ones. Like some shows have an entire cast, they’ll be all together, and for some of the others, we’ll just have them in a room answering questions from fans.”
    “Okay, what else?”
    “Well, we’ll have rooms for gamers. Plus, this year we’re going to have a cosplay contest.”
    “Cosplay?”
    “Yeah, you know, people dress up as their favorite characters from shows like Star Wars, comic books, Star Trek…”
    “Oh, that’s a real thing?” Maggie looked at him surprised.
    Levi smiled and nodded. “Uh, yeah, that’s a thing.”
    “Okay, I guess if it works, then great. Was this part of the financial statements you sent to Laura?”
    “Yeah, have you talked to her? I sent the rental receipt to her last week.”
    Maggie tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “No, I haven’t talked to her since last Saturday.” Actually, Laura had tried to call her, but she’d tried to bring up something in their last conversation Maggie had no intention of ever discussing. Laura was persistent, though, and she and Maggie had eventually talked, but Levi didn’t need to know that.
    “Huh, I got the impression you guys talked a lot.”
    “Where’s Gary?”
    Levi smiled. Maggie was being evasive. “He’s around somewhere. I think he took off that way.” He pointed down a hall across from them. “Did you and Laura have a disagreement or something?”
    Keep fishing, Levi Martin and you’re likely to get an arm bitten off by an alligator. “No. I’ve just been busy.”
    “Really? With what?”
    “Things,” she said and walked off in the direction Levi had pointed. “Gary!”
    “Wow, you really don’t want to talk about it.” Levi jogged to catch up with her.
    Maggie ignored him. “Gary!”
    “YO!” Gary popped his head out from a room at the far end of the hall.
    “Hey, Gary!”
    “Maggie!” He came running, grabbed her by the waist and swung her around.
    She laughed and squealed. “Play any foosball lately?”
    “Yes, but now I feel as though I’ve just been playing really bad players.”
    “Hey!” Levi interjected. “You’ve been playing me.”
    “Exactly,” Gary said, smiling at Maggie. “Come check out this room.”
    Levi followed Maggie and Gary to the room and watched them laugh and talk. It irked him that they were so easy around each other. Why is this irritating me so much? The more Levi listened to them talk, the angrier he got. He stalked out of the room and back down the hall. I should be happy Gary is getting along with Maggie so well.
    He slid down the wall facing the hallway and sat on the floor. It felt like forever before Gary and Maggie came out of the room. They walked together, talking and laughing and grating on the very last nerve Levi possessed. He rolled his eyes. “Are you two done flirting?”
    Gary came to a complete stop and furrowed his brows. “Dude, what is wrong with you?”
    “Nothing. Nothing is wrong with me. I just need to know if you’re done so we can go. I’m sure Maggie has other things to do.” He looked down at the floor. And other guys to flirt with…
    “What bug has crawled up your butt?” Gary sounded as frustrated as Levi.
    Maggie felt like she was caught in the middle of a couple’s private argument. Uncomfortable didn’t begin to describe how she felt. “Um, I think I’ll go. You two sound like you need to work something out.”
    Gary placed a hand on her arm and leaned close to her ear. “Would you wait outside, please? Don’t go. Please?”
    She nodded and walked outside.
    Then Gary turned on his friend. “What is your