I go through my opening remarks on autopilot. Community center roof. Generous donations. Exciting lineup of eligible bachelors.
“Without further ado,” I say, “let’s start the bidding!”
The first bachelor takes the stage. Sam Hunter. Easy, straightforward. Mrs. Patterson wins him for three hundred dollars.
Second bachelor. Jake. Third. Fourth.
I’m finding my rhythm. This is fine. This is easy.
Then I see the dark-haired woman raise her paddle.
She’s bidding on Theo. Aggressively. Four hundred dollars.
She wins.
Dr. Lucas is next. Same thing. The woman bids—four-fifty. No one challenges her.
She wins again.
Nate Thorn steps up. The crowd murmurs. The woman raises her paddle before I’ve even finished the introduction.
“Fifty dollars,” she calls out.
Someone else bids. Seventy. Eighty.
“Three-fifty,” the woman says calmly.
The room goes silent.
“Three hundred fifty dollars,” I manage. “Going once... going twice... sold.”
Three bachelors. One woman. Who IS she?
My stomach is churning now, because there are only two bachelors left.
Milo. And Elijah.
I glance at my lineup card even though I’ve memorized it. They’re last. They’re the grand finale because they’re the most eligible, the most likely to draw big bids.
But now all I can think is, what if SHE bids on them?
The thought makes me physically ill. The idea of this beautiful stranger winning a date with Milo—with his easy charm and warm eyes. Or Elijah—quiet, steady Elijah who carved me heart-shaped vases and taught me to work with wood.
I can’t bid on them myself. I’m running the auction. It would be completely inappropriate.
And suddenly, violently, I understand why Ben refused to participate.
This is what he felt. This sick, jealous dread at the thought of someone else winning time with the person you want. Hecouldn’t stand the idea of going on a date with someone else when the only person he wanted was me.
I get it now. I get it completely.
Milo takes the stage, and my heart drops into my stomach.
Chapter 25
Ben
Milo looks incredible up there.
