Cannon laughed again. “Whatever. Have fun pretty boy. I’ll see you around six then.”
“Yeah.” And then Cannon hung up.
I rolled my shoulder. Three surgeries hadn’t slowed down my pitching but a day of golf and I needed to ice it.
Stupid.
My contract mandated that I didn’t ski, kayak or rock climb– all shit that I’d loved when I grew up here. Damned if I would give up golf too.
After snagging an ice pack, I threw myself on the couch and opened the email with tonight’s details on my phone. I needed to wear my tux and basically just stand around with one of the rescue dogs while people bid for a date with me. The Rangers’ P.R. office had already set up the date which was…– I scrolled down the email– no fucking way. A weekend?
Stanley Hotel, two nights, hiking, ghost tour… Holy shit I should have read through this thing earlier.
All sorts of nightmare scenarios taunted me.
I didn’t like to spend that much time with anybody, let alone some random crazy woman who’d actually pay for a date.
It’s for the dogs. I reminded myself. I scrolled down further. At least the weekend for the date was flexible. Maybe I’d get lucky and some corporation would bid on me– I could be a tax write off.
I moved the icepack to the back of my shoulder and groaned. Lately I hadn’t had that kind of luck.
Damn if Cannon wasn’t right. I had drawn the short straw on this one.
CHAPTER THREE
Holly
“Sign here foryour bidding placard Miss Mercer. You’re at table four. Right up front!” The volunteer attendant smiled at me conspiratorially. As though I had seriously come here to bid on a date for myself.
I took the little sign with my number on it and tried not to feel out of place. I’d driven by the Worthington Hotel hundreds of times but never guessed at the opulence within. The building had been a landmark downtown for as long as I can remember and although much of the décor seemed authentic, the pristine details had obviously been restored.
I’d managed to drop the files off for Dan before my hair appointment but didn’t have enough time to stop at FedEx and ship the lingerie.
Even carrying around a huge bag of lingerie, I felt like Cinderella.
Monique had helped me stuff Star’s undergarment returns into a large paper bag before I left her shop. Much easier than toting around boxes.
I’d thank her again on Monday.
I’d told her I didn’t want anything fancy, but she refused to listen. She declared that it was her job to dress me as she saw fit. After one glance in the mirror I realized why Star paid this woman to choose her clothing.
Because, oh Mercy! The dress she’d chosen knocked my socks off. Held in place with flesh colored netting, the bodice consisted of deep green embroidered vines winding around me, emphasizing my boobs and butt, but also somehow making my waist look tiny.
So not me… even though I loved it! The soft lace material, which made up most of the dress, ended at my fingertips where the asymmetrical hem was its shortest. The other side dropped to just below my knee cap. Since the dress was so intricate, Monique insisted we keep everything else simple. She chose me a pair of five inch evergreen pumps and a teardrop emerald necklace.
Not three inch, not four inch, but freaking five inches of heel! I needed the taller pumps since I was so short. Your legs, she’d insisted, we need to lengthen your legs.
With my hair pinned up and makeup I could never replicate, I barely recognized myself. I felt like a different person. I guess that’s what happens when you put on a three thousand dollar cocktail dress.
I looked over my shoulder to examine myself in one of the mirrors hanging in the foyer. I’d never worn anything half as sexy. The embroidered leaves set perfectly against my skin, showing off most of my back without looking slutty.
Three freaking thousand dollars for one dress! No wonder Star said wanted to return it Monday. When I signed the receipt, I’d decided then and there I wouldn’t eat anything while wearing the gown. The risk wasn’t worth it.
And now this place!
I looked up at the high ceiling and counted the sparkling chandeliers. Three one way and four the other… Twelve of them illuminated the ballroom with a soft golden glow. And so many people!
Of course, Star’s seat would be front and center. I shivered at the thought of who else might be sitting at Table four. Famous people. Or rich ones. I wished I hadn’t had to come alone. Bernadette would have loved this. At the thought of her that cold fist squeezed my heart.
