The room was nearly full, but at least I wasn’t late. A buzz of excitement hung over the elegant crowd. Fear sliced through me at the thought of actually bidding.
Just then I spied the closest bar. Wine. Yes, that’s what I needed. Anything to chase away the attack of jitters growing inside me.
The cute bartender handed a drink to a blonde woman wearing the coolest glasses ever. She oozed confidence and efficiency but appeared even less enthusiastic about being here than I did.
“Nice dress.” She flicked her gaze up and down my gown before taking a sip of whatever she was drinking. I’d been thinking wine, but seeing vodka on the rocks in this woman’s hand, I decided to go all in.
“Lemon drop martini, Ketal One.” Drink of choice when me and Bernadette used to go out. She’d always said it would get us started. God, I missed her. I forced my thoughts away from my ex-roommate.
“I love your glasses.” I couldn’t help myself. This day had become surreal. “I’ve never been to one of these before.”
The other woman shook her head. “My first and so help me God, it had better be my last.”
Cute bartender handed me my drink. When I went to pay he shook his head and winked. “Hosted.” I dropped my money into his tip jar.
Sweet, tart, icy cold. I forgot how good these could be. He’d made it with fresh lemons… I could always tell the difference. I immediately felt the warmth of the vodka in my veins.
“It’s a good cause though.” I shrugged and took another sip.
“True.” The other woman nodded and then as the announcer’s voice sounded over the speakers saying the event would begin shortly, she winked. “Good luck.”
I laughed and drifted away. “You too.” I didn’t want to sit down yet but my time was running out. I finished my drink and handed the empty glass to a passing waiter. My favorite bartender caught my eye and raised a brow questioningly. Another? Sure, why not. I nodded.
By the time I made it to table four, my smile came more naturally. An elderly couple welcomed me but the others seated were caught up in their own conversation. I recognized a few of them as local newscasters.
“Are you bidding?” I smiled at the older woman.
“Oh, heaven’s no! I’m Gert, by the way. My grandson is one of the bachelors. And this is a wonderful cause.” She patted the hand of the older gentleman beside her. “I doubt Ralph would want me bidding on any of these rogues, anyhow.”
Ralph, whom I guessed to be her husband, shook his head and smiled affectionately. They seemed like a sweet couple. Maybe this evening wouldn’t be so painful after all. The others at the table settled into small talk when the salads and then prime rib dinner was served. I’d apparently made an impression on the bartender. Every time my glass got close to empty, he sent another one over for me.
Thankfully nobody asked me about myself: why I was there, or who I was. Gert kept me entertained with stories of her courtship with Ralph. I loved talking with older people and Gert was priceless.
When the lighting dimmed and a spotlight landed on the stage, I realized I hadn’t even looked at Star’s instructions.
Fumbling a little, I opened the envelope and pulled out the paper. I recognized her scrawl immediately. Her handwriting was worse than a doctor’s, but I’d seen it often enough to decipher her words.
Win, don’t just bid on, but WIN (Underlined three times) bachelor #5. Or was that a six? Oh, a six. Definitely a six.
I located my paddle sign and sat it in front of me. Gert smiled conspiratorially as the lights dimmed. She leaned forward. “Wouldn’t it be romantic if you found the love of your life tonight?”
“If I do, I’ll invite you to the wedding.” I smiled at her whimsy. Now that would make a good story for the grandkids.
We both settled down as the master of ceremonies stepped to the front of the stage with her microphone.
This event was thrown to raise money for local animal shelters and increase awareness of the atrocities of puppy mills and breeding practices. Various dignitaries made a few speeches and then a woman auctioneer explained the rules for bidding. In no uncertain terms, she emphasized, all sales are final. I sipped my drink and thought back to my run in with Mister Key West earlier that day. I doubted any of these men would hold a torch to him. He’d just been…so huminahumina.
What if I had taken him up on his offer? Was it even possible such a man could live up to those kinds of looks? Confidence oozed off him. Even after I’d turned him down, he’d seemed to know I regretted it. Why hadn’t I spoken up? Asked for that rain check? Except really, what would he do if I turned up at his apartment?
I took another sip of my martini and pictured his eyes again. I’d never seen a man with such beautiful eyes.
He’d probably already forgotten about me.
But if he hadn’t… What would a night be like with such a man? At such insane thoughts, I pressed my thighs together. I needed to pay attention to what was happening on stage. Already they were on bachelor number four. I had to admit these guys were pretty hot– most would catch my eye even if they weren’t paired with adorable shelter dogs.
The bachelor up there now paraded across the stage with a precious yellow lab. How could anybody give up such a sweetheart? He knelt down and rubbed the dog’s head and back. A number of women frantically waved their bidding signs. The auctioneer assisted them in driving the price to over five thousand dollars.
I glanced at Star’s instructions again and squinted in the dark. Number five. Six? No, five. My bachelor was next. Before I had time to come up with a plan he stepped onto the stage.
