We’re doing this for charity and steak and lobster.
Antonio leans over to me and says, “Don’t overthink it.”
Melvin strolls past us with a Vaseline smile like that man fromThe Hunger Games. “Before we start, tell us what you do and how you met.”
Rachel pats Shins’s thigh. “Since we’re the only couple up here, we’ll start.” She stands and snatches Melvin’s mic. “We’re engaged.” There’s a squeal and a flash of a large rock. “We’ve been together since high school, but we’ve liked each other for much longer. Our families play tennis together. They’re members of the same country club.”
“Country club?” Someone in the audience scoffs. “Girl, this ain’tLaguna Beach.” A wave of laughter flows from one end of the crowded room to the other.
Rachel looks to Shins with a pout. He sighs and takes the mic after telling her to sit down. “We’ve been together for ten years. She’s a real estate broker. I play for the Buffalo Steel.”
The audience whistles for the rugby team.
Shins passes the mic.
“I’m Bread, and this is Kendrick.”
“I’ll take a bite of your loaf, big boy!” a woman catcalls.
“Who said that?” Bread shields his eyes from the spotlight on stage. “Don’t play with me. You sound fine as shit. You can get these gluten-free strokes!”
“Bring the little one too!” another shouts. “I like short kings.”
Kendrick drops his head.
Antonio steals the mic from Bread. “Sit your ass down,” he grits before smiling to the spectators of this circus. “A round of applause for Kendrick and Bread. They both play for the Steel, as do I.”
“Captain, my Captain,” the three rugby players sing.
“Alright, enough,” Antonio chuckles. His face softens. “This is Miriam. She has a PhD in mechanical engineering.”
“Come on, Queen!”
“Let her know!” he shouts.
“Please don’t encourage him,” I groan.
“She’s amazing, and she recently accepted a job at the Jefferson Moselle Community Center. We have a separate donation box for them near the bar. Please show your support.”
I unshield my face from embarrassment. “What?”
He covers the mic. “Whatever we raise tonight, I’ll match it.”
“I—”
“Beautiful couple,” Melvin says. “How long have you two been together?”
Antonio clears his throat. “It’s new, but she’s been my best friend for three years.” His smile is wide. “I had a crush on Miriam for the longest. I first saw her in her high school while visiting a friend. She was on her way to an engineering club meeting.”
“You never told me that,” I whisper.
“It took a while for her to notice me. Years, actually.” He bites his lip and stares down at me through a fan of lashes. “One unfortunate incident on New Year’s Eve became the best night of my life.”
“Aww,” the crowd says.
Rachel’s scoff barely registers. I had no idea that Antonio first saw me in high school. Most of my days involved my nose in a book, but still. I always thought he remembered me from the times I babysat him.
“You two might need to go on another show.” Melvin fans himself. “Let the games begin! Question one. Who is your partner’s celebrity crush?”
