Behind him, he heard Isabella announcing authors and books.
“Emily Henry,Funny Story. J. J. Knight,Single Dad on Top. Lucy Score,Things We Left Behind. Lauren Layne,Made in Manhattan. Pippa Grant,The Bride’s Runaway Billionaire.”
Where was Sophie? With her credentials, she’d be able to come backstage if she wanted.
“Annika Martin,Most Eligible Billionaire, Emma Chase,Tangled, Claire Kingsley,Falling For My Enemy, Sara L.Hudson,Anyone But The Billionaire, and Penny Reid,Love Hacked. Let’s give them all a round of applause.”
The cheers were deafening, the atmosphere electric with admiration and excitement. Behind the authors, larger-than-life cardboard cutouts were placed, each depicting the fictional heroes whose personas had been brought to life that night.
Before Stone could go in search of Sophie, Ziggy shoved a T-shirt at him.
“We need to get this on you ASAP,” Ziggy said as he removed Stone’s tie and started unbuttoning his shirt.
Stone knocked his hands away. “I’ve got it.” He quickly undressed and tugged the shirt over his head.
“Bachelors, please return to the stage and stand next to your cardboard cutout.”
“That’s your cue,” Ziggy said when Stone didn’t budge.
Each participant re-emerged onto the stage with waves. They were now wearing theirhe saidT-shirts that Sophie had designed.
From where he stood, Stone couldn’t see Sophie in the audience. Was she waiting backstage for him?
The crowd hooted and whistled, a cacophony of appreciation for the literary and the living embodiments of beloved characters.
Amidst the applause, Ms. Birdie took the microphone, her voice commanding the room. “And let us not forget the brilliant mind behind this year’s theme, the talented Sophie E. Clark.” The crowd clapped and that’s when Stone finally saw the professional daydreamer herself as she was ushered onto the stage, a blush coloring her cheeks.
Unfortunately, once she took her place next to Ms. Birdie, all he could see of Sophie was her back.
Ms. Birdie continued, “Thanks to Sophie’s innovative idea, between the silent auction and the bachelor auction, we’veraised a tentative total of…” She paused, glancing down at the note handed to her, “An astonishing $8.9 million for our charity!”
Stone stepped away from his assigned spot and managed to position himself where he could see Sophie’s profile.
Her smile was tentative as she stood beside Ms. Birdie. The audience’s appreciation was palpable.
“Now ladies, if you purchased a bachelor, they will be in contact with you tomorrow to set up your date. Please stop by the cashier table and pick up your receipts for your purchases.”
While Ms. Birdie continued to explain the finer details, Stone was swept along by the tide of bachelors leaving the stage. They were all apparently anxious to exit through the back door before being bombarded by the women who had not won them at auction.
Stone looked back, searching for Sophie, but his view was obscured by the moving bodies and shifting shadows. The next thing he knew he stood outside on the sidewalk. He turned to go back into the venue, but the door had locked.
“There they are,” a woman shouted, and a gaggle of women rounded the corner and ran toward them.
“Hurry. Get in,” one of the bachelors shouted at Stone.
Swallowing his frustration, Stone jumped into a limo right as the driver pulled out into traffic.
Sitting beside the single-dad bachelor, Stone pulled out his phone and texted Sophie.
Meet me on the rooftop. —Mr. X
Chapter 34
Acharming limo driver dropped Sophie and Poppie off at their apartments a little after midnight. A lot had happened since they’d left to go to the bachelor ball—a life-changing lot. So much so that, as if by agreement, neither of them had spoken of it on the drive home.
Now Poppie, with his cane and tuxedo adding a distinguished touch to his weathered charm, offered Sophie his arm as they walked slowly toward their building. His cane tapped rhythmically against the pavement, echoing the silent excitement of the night.
It wasn’t until they were standing in front of their respective doors that the silence was broken by Sophie, who had a sudden fit of giggles.
