“Does that mean we have an open-door policy from now on?”
“Only for you.” I give her forehead a light kiss.
“Good to know you’re selective with your waffle privileges. Though I have to say, I’m not thrilled about sharing you at the bachelor auction.”
I catch her hand as she starts to step away. “Hey, promise me you won’t bid on me, okay? Save your money for that bakery.” I brush my thumb across her knuckles. “Besides, whoever wins me is just getting a very distracted date.”
She cocks her head. “Distracted?”
“Completely.” I close the gap between us. “Because I’ll be counting down the minutes until I can get back to you.” I cup her face with my free hand, memorizing this moment before pressing a soft kiss to her lips. “Plus, I’m pretty sure Mimi will lose interest when she finds out I’m terrible at bingo.”
Several days later, I’m backstage at the Hawk River Lodge in Maple Falls, tugging uncomfortably at the stiff collar under my suit. The bachelor auction was already on my calendar before Neesha and I stopped pretending this was just practice, and despite knowing how much the town needs the fundraising money for MacDonald’s legal battle, I can’t stand the idea of going out with someone else.
Ashlyn Thompkins steps up to the mic as the event’s emcee and welcomes everyone to the auction, giving instructions and introducing the first bachelor.
I unbutton my jacket, then button it again, needing something to do with my hands.
“Stop fidgeting,” Asher whispers, straightening his own tie as he notices me pulling at my collar again. “It’s just for charity.”
Clément steps next to us. “Well, I notice your girlfriend arrived tonight with her fabulous cupcakes, so if things go poorly, you can always drown your sorrows in…what do you call the icing on the cake?”
“Despair,” I deadpan.
Weston frowns and shakes his head. “No, I think it’s called buttercream.”
Asher peeks through the backstage curtains. “Neesha looks like she’s going to murder the girls in the front row—or maybe just poison their desserts.”
I try to peek over his shoulder, but with so many hockey players crowded around the curtain, I can’t see past their big heads. “Who are they?”
“Those rich girls from Seattle whoknow Noreen’s niece,” Asher confirms. “And then Brittany Beeson showed up fifteen minutes ago and befriended all of them so she could get a seat in the front row.”
“The Seattle gal pals,” Weston says. “Rumor has it they’ve got Daddy’s credit cards and instructions to spend big.”
Great.
I nudge Asher out of the way and scan the back of the room until I find Neesha, arranging cupcakes on a display table next to the cash bar. She looks stunning in a strapless, gold dress, her hair swept up in a way that shows off the delicate curve of her neck.
“Is Neesha bidding on you?” Asher asks, checking the audience to see if Mabel’s arrived.
“I told her not to. She doesn’t have the money since she’s saving for her bakery and paying off her mom’s medical debts.”
“Yeah, well, that was probably before Brittany showed up, looking like she’s dressed to kill,” Carson drawls. “And also, she conveniently just broke up with Nate.”
“When did this happen?” I scan backstage, but Nate hasn’t shown up yet.
“This afternoon,” Carson says. “He let it slip at the gym, and you know Nate. He tires easily of his playthings.”
I let out a frustrated sigh, hoping thatanyonebut Brittany bids on me. Not only would it complicate working with Nate if Brittany bought a date with me, it would also infuriate Neesha.
“This is going to be a long night,” I mutter, rubbing the back of my neck.
Several of my teammates go before me, and with each one, the bids are driven higher by the Seattle gal pals. These women are aggressive, throwing out numbers that make many of the locals drop out early, including Mimi’s friends at the assisted living facility.
All I can wonder is what Neesha must be thinking about all this. She’ll have to watch women fight over me while shehelplessly stands in the back. And I’ll be hating every minute of watching her silently endure it all.
After Clément and Weston both go, I hear the dreaded words, “And next up…Lucian Lowe!”
The crowd applauds and the spotlight is blinding as I step onto the stage. I squint against the light, trying to locate Neesha’s steady gaze, but I can’t see the back of the room against the stage lights.
