Then she jumps off the stage and stalks through the tables like my daughter didn’t justbidfor a date with her—on my behalf.
FOUR
SYLVIE
Itry my best not to react to what just happened, but my brain does not want to comply.
Even though technically Opal was the one to make the bid, she’s legally unable to ‘take’ the prize. She’s a minor, so it would fall on her dad. Technically, it could mean a forfeit of the donation and thus thedate.
From the corner of my eye, I catch Hunter and Opal striding to the back table where Lydia Sterling sits taking the donations. I pray he’s telling Lydia he won’t be taking the date.
Best-case scenario, he still makes a donation but declines the mystery date.
Worst-case scenario? I go on a date with the guy who has made his dislike for me well known.
There is a small part of me—tiny, though who am I kidding, definitely growing—who wants to spite this man and make him fall for me. I’m Sylvie fucking Madden. I was born a force of nature. My siblings and I are the kinds of people who fight for what they want and won’t let anyone tell us otherwise. The big-shot lawyer, the rockstar, and me: the bitch who holds us together.
I am lovable, hardworking, and pretty dang cute. Tonight proved there were plenty of people—men, specifically—willing to go out of their way to pay for a night in my company. And I’ve been in town only a few weeks with many more offers to go on dates, check out what the town offers, and more. There are plenty of men who want to date me without donating nearly four hundred dollars to do it.
Granted, I have had men pay that much on first dates. That’s beside the point, though.
Hunter very much does not want to date me.
He and Lydia talk quietly while Opal stands there looking sad. I can’t help myself. I’m not a kid person, and I never have been. But there’s something about this girl that calls to me. Maybe it’s because she reminds me of myselfwhen I was her age. Maybe it’s because, although she loves her father more than anything, she doesn’t quite fit into this world. Opal is a girl who yearns for more than a small town and has loads of ideas and plans.
I also don’t want her feeling bad about getting excited. She might be a teen, but she’s still a kid.
As I make my way towards the table, I watch Hunter set down his credit card. I don’t know much about his financial situation, but I doubt he’s in a position to drop nearly four hundred on a date.
“Lyd,” I say, “don’t worry about it.”
Hunter stiffens, jaw clenching. “I’m a man of my word.”
“I’m not saying you’re not,” I reply. “But with all the technicalities, it’s no issue.”
Deep sky-grey eyes land on me. I hate the fluttery feeling that always appears whenever he looks at me. “You don’t want to take me on your mystery date?”
I know he’s trying to lighten the mood—despite how bad he is at it—because Opal looks a little more worried. “Hey, Opal.Could you do a final round of donation collection for me? I’m pretty sure the oldies are about to get picked up by the bus, and I have a feeling their pockets aren’t dry yet.”
A timid smile appears on her face, but she grabs a bucket and rushes off. Hunter watches her go without a word before turning those intense eyes back on me. It’s hard to think he’s nearly forty when he doesn’t look that much older than me. The only parts of him that give away his age are the fine lines around his eyes and the peppering of grey in his hair and thick beard.
For a lumberjack ex-firefighter, he takes good care of himself—and cleans up well. I hate to think it, but he’s a fine-looking man. Even if he’s only in slacks and a nice button-down.
“It’s not about the date,” I tell him with a roll of my eyes. “It’s the fact that Opal did the bidding on your behalf, which can be voided. And I don’t expect you to drop so much money.”
“I already intended to make a donation today,” he mutters, pushing his card in Lydia’s direction. “You and I both know what’ll happen if we don’t complete our end of the bargain. Opal has already planned to boycott the house if I don’t follow through.”
“Boycott?” I can’t help but laugh as I watch the teen glide between tables like the natural powerhouse she is.
Hunter grunts in response. “Yeah. She’ll go stay with Finn. That’s the last thing I want. So, mystery date it is, then.”
My cheeks warm as I look back at him. He doesn’t look thrilled about the idea at all, and I don’t blame him. This clearly isn’t his idea of fun.
“Well,” I say, clearing my throat, “it’s still a work in progress. Requires a little help. But don’t worry. That gives you time to prepare for the inevitable.”
“The inevitable?” Hunter quirks a brow as Lydia puts his details into the machine.
“Yes,” I reply. “You’ll inevitably realise Iamthe best at what I do. And you won’t be able to help it when you finally admit youdolike me, Hunter Gates.”
