“Oh, you’ll still be one,” Clarabelle said. “Just not one with powers. You’ll be a figurehead only.”
“Fuck that,” Stone said. “If I can’t have a wand, I’m not keeping the title.”
“That’s why we’re here,” Ryder interjected. “Do you want out?”
“Out of the magic business?” Stone asked.
“Out of it all.” Montgomery clarified. “Out of security, out of magic, out of all the things that have been your steadfast reasons for why you couldn’t pursue Sophie.”
Stone sighed. “I’m not turning my back on my family for a woman. Even if I have fallen for the girl. We’re the three musketeers, abandoned by family once, but never again.”
They all smiled. Except him. Stone didn’t smile.
“We’ve got a plan,” Clarabelle said.
“The kind that’s going to require groveling on your part,” Ryder said. “But we’re pretty sure you can pull it off if you put your heart into it.”
“What your brothers are trying to say is we’ve figured out a way for all of you to have your cake and marry it too.”
For the first time in three months, Stone found himself harboring hope. “I’m listening.”
“Before we go any further, do you love Sophie?” Clarabelle asked.
“I do.” Stone had no idea how that had happened. He’d been so careful not to get emotionally involved with her. But despite all his efforts, she’d stolen his heart.
“Do you trust Sophie?” Ryder asked.
“Absolutely.”
“Then here’s the plan,” Montgomery said. “You’re going to go up on the auction block as one of her book boyfriends. If she loves you, she will move heaven and earth to win you at auction.”
Stone made a buzzer noise. “She doesn’t have money to spare. There’s no way she could bid even if she wanted to.”
“Darling, I have spoken with Ms. Birdie, and we have come to an agreement,” Clarabelle said, not looking him in the eyes.
“What kind of agreement?” Stone asked, suspicious.
“With Ms. Birdie’s help, Sophie will be able to bid on you at auction.”
“How?”
“Sophie will participate in the silent auction. She will offer a bundle of all her T-shirt designs. Ms. Birdie will offer to match the highest bid and give that money to Sophie. You are going to covertly be the highest bidder.”
“Me?”
“Your bid will be outrageous,” Clarabelle said. “So incredible that Sophie won’t even think twice about worries she can’t afford to spend money bidding on you. Her only thought when you’re up on the stage will be if she wants to win you at auction.”
“And Ms. Birdie has approved this idea?” Stone asked.
Clarabelle nodded. “The only thing we can’t control is the choice Sophie makes when she sees you on stage.”
Stone ran a hand over his beard. “Trust me when I say she won’t want to. The last thing I said to her was I’m a bachelor for life and you should leave now.”
“You’re such a moron,” Montgomery said. “I can’t believe we’re related.”
“Fuck off,” Stone sneered.
Clarabelle made a tsking noise, but Stone’s mouth stayed free of soap.
