Great Christmas theme. I’ll add it to the calendar then put an extra note for me. Anything else?
Can you confirm Elsa is going to the auction? She’s supposed to make a bid for me.
I rolled my eyes at the name. Elsa was Blake’s lover. She didn’t want a full-fledged relationship with Blake given he was always busy, but she sure wanted his movie name and status. Why he kept going back to her, I couldn’t understand.
Maybe they were just using each other?
I mean, it wasn’t my business. I didn’t do anything beyond what I was asked to do. And when he wasn’t busy, I had my own world.
That often consisted of pinning after him like a stupid lovesick fool.
Because that’s what I was, duh!
I will confirm. Last I checked, she was going.
You’re the best, T. Thank you for all you do. I owe you.
I read that last message a dozen more times before I put my phone down. I did want him to owe me. I mean, none of what he asked went beyond my normal duties. But what I’d like to have him owe me isn’t what he’d like, of that, I’m sure.
I finally changed, paying for everything, then headed out to have lunch with my best friend. She would snap me out of this haze for a little bit.
“Shopping?” she asked as I walked to my car.
“No, spoiling.”
“Come again?” she questioned, lifting a brow.
“I bought a dress for the auction, Melody. See?”
I carefully lifted it out to show her and she let out a whistle.
“Holy shit, Tessy, you’ll look amazing in this. Oh, please say I can do your hair and makeup for this night? Is this like your game plan? Oh, oh, oh, is this Christmas Auction Operation to land the biggest, baddest, hunkest man you’ve laid eyes on?”
I stared at her, quite shocked by her giddiness. Here I thought she was trying to push me away from wanting him and now she was all for it. That wasn’t like her, and I had to tell her as much.
“It wasn’t that I didn’t think you’d be cute,” she told me, putting the bags away and locking my car up, before leading me to the café for lunch. “Personally, I think you two would be a stunning couple. It’s that you pin away for him but never step up when I think you should. So, to know that you’re actually making a plan, even if it is a secret, is music to my ears. And yes, as your best friend, I’m here for it and want to support you. So, can I do the works on you?”
“Fine, yes, you can. But there are guidelines. I have to look good, and it has to compliment the look. I didn’t spend money on this dress to look extra.”
“Trust me, Tessy, I promise you’ll look amazing. And Elsa, with all her fakeness won’t even hold a candle to you. Honestly, bestie, you’re not as mousy and plain jane as you think you are. Especially when you choose to get dolled up and be pushed out of your comfort zone.”
I took a deep drink of my iced tea, thinking over her words. I was glad for besties like her, but it was still tough to believe. Iplayed dress up when I had to, looked the part of professional when needed, but more times than not, leggings and tank tops were my go-to clothing line.
With a sigh, I smiled at her. “I’ll be so out of my comfort zone for this damn auction, and he better freaking ass like it when I bid all I can.”
Chapter 2
Joshua
Istraighten my little Santa tie, wishing I hadn’t said yes to this parade of man meat. I never cared for auctions, but this was for a good cause. And though I didn’t need it, Tessy said it would be good for my image. Plus, all the money was going to a charity I supported, so it was a win-win in my book.
“I hate Christmas,” Elsa muttered, and I glanced over at her. “I just hate all the people who think they need more handouts just because it’s the holiday.”
I frowned at that thought. Christmas was always my favorite holiday. No matter where I lived, there was something in the air that always called to me. Growing up, my mom made sure to make it super special for all of us as well.
“I don’t see it like that. It’s a great holiday.”
She rolled her eyes, quickly grabbing for a glass of champagne and downing it.
