Yes. Yes. I needed out of here. I leaned toward Gert. “Thank you so much for keeping me company tonight.”
And to Ralph. “Keep her out of trouble.”
He winked at me. What did they think of me? A harlot. They must think I’m some sort of a harlot to bid on their sweet grandson.
Said Grandson then somehow got me out of my chair, helped me gather up the huge bag of Star’s lingerie and steered me to an exit. I followed with no will of my own. My life was over.
Well my job was.
Could they take me to court for something like this? And oh, wow, I wanted to lean into Hunter forever.
“Did you know your grandparents almost didn’t get married?” Gert had told me the sweetest story over dessert. “Since Ralph had been married before, the Catholic church wouldn’t marry them. They were sitting in a bar one day and in walks the priest. After a few beers Ralph mentioned to the priest that his ex-wife had been married before he married her. The priest decided that Ralph’s marriage didn’t count so they paid their tabs, walked over to the church and married that afternoon.”
He looked at me funny. “Gran told you that?”
I nodded.
“Hunter? What’s your last name, Hunter?” I mumbled the words as coherently as possible. We were in an empty hallway now, ah and then fresh air. How had he known this was here? A magical courtyard in the middle of downtown Denver. I tipped my head and stared up at the stars as he led me to a bench.
“DeLuca.” He pointed at the bench. “I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.”
Where would I go?
I nodded solemnly.
“Okay Hunter Deluca,” I sang my acquiescence. Definitely too many Lemon Drops.
After he left me alone I wondered if I’d imagined the entire thing. The bench felt pleasant but a patch of grass beckoned even more.
Oh, nice and cool.
And soft.
“Holly?”
“Over here!” I volunteered. I then rolled onto my back and slipped off my shoes. “This feels so good…” I stretched and then opened my eyes “…I’ll just stay here forever.”
He was standing on the grass, just staring down at me. Even in the dark his eyes sparkled. Like a Sea God, I imagined how he’d look walking out of the ocean, rivulets of water dripping down his chest.
So much yummy goodness wrapped up in a sexy tuxedo. I couldn’t help but imagine the yummy goodness hiding underneath.
“You said you were in trouble.” He tugged at his trousers and dropped onto the grass beside me. He then took hold of my hand and slapped a cold bottle of water into it. “Drink.”
I didn’t like being told what to do, but what with my brilliant bidding skills, he may soon be my only friend. I sat up and downed some of the cool fresh liquid before screwing the cap back on and opening my purse. Locating Star’s piece of paper, I unfolded it and held it out to him. “What number does that look like to you?”
He squinted and tilted it toward the light. “Six?”
I groaned. “But it could be a five, right? Look at it again.”
One corner of his mouth lifted and he shook his head. “The rounded parts are darker. Pretty sure it’s a six.” He scanned the note again and then the truth of my situation donned on him. “You bid on the wrong bachelor!”
And then.
The man of my dreams.
Mister Key West himself.
Burst out laughing!
