I stand up and give a small wave. “Sorry.” People’s heads swing in my direction.
“There she is!” the emcee says. “Come on up!”
Everyone seems to be staring. My lungs constrict under the weight of their gaze. The air feels thin.
Donotpass out!
It would simply be too humiliating to faint. Besides, this isn’t a romance novel scenario when a hot hero catches the fainting heroine! Not even historical romance novels do that cliché anymore.
I walk to the stage, trying to hide the way my legs are shaking. I’ll be happy if I get at least two thousand dollars for the shelter. I’d prefer to get more, of course, but if Dana only got two…
Finally, I stand on the stage. The light’s bright, and blood roars in my ears. I try to smile—I think I manage it. The ballroom seems to grow in size, then shrink abruptly. Is it me, or is everyone staring and whispering?
My gaze roams everywhere. I don’t know exactly what I’m searching for. But then I see Nicholas in the crowd.
He’s looking at me with a small, concerned frown. My whole body stills at the sight of him. He mouths something as he holds my gaze calmly.
Breathe.He gives me a slow nod. It meanseverything’s going to be okay.
His soundless reassurance wraps around me like a shield. My attention focuses on his self-possessed and confident presence. Suddenly, the tightness around my chest eases. The air trapped inside whooshes out. I inhale and my head starts to clear. The emcee is done with my intro. I’m pretty sure she made up something that sounded good to get the auction going, since I’m a last-minute substitute.
“Ten thousand,” a familiar voice calls out before the emcee gets to ask for the first bid.
Jack?
Oh, no. Praying it’s just a guy who sounds like my boss, I scan the crowd—and spot Jack in the back. I didn’t see him earlier, but then, there are more than enough people to fill the huge ballroom.
Ah, crap. I’m glad the shelter will get at least ten thousand, butJack? Really? He’s going to try to get ten thousand dollars’ worth of touching.
My skin crawls. The champagne in my belly churns like an agitated sea.
“Five hundred thousand,” another voice calls out.
That’s Elizabeth’s uncle Salazar I met after Nicholas whisked me away from Ted. Salazar says something to Ceinlys, who’s sitting next to him, and she slaps his shoulder with a smile. I let out a relieved breath.
“One million,” Nicholas says flatly.
Murmurs go up in the air.
I cover my cheeks and mouth with my hands.Unbelievable.My head is ringing, and I stare at him, trying to process what’s going on.
“Oh my goodness! One million dollars for dinner with the lovely Molly,” the emcee says breathlessly. This is the biggest bid so far.
“One point one,” Jack shoots back.
What?He can’t possibly have that kind of money.
The emcee starts to fan herself.
I begin to feel faint. Trembling starts in my hands and legs. Men simply…don’t fight like this over me.
“One point two.” Arturo gives a loud, derisive snort directed at the other bidders.
Didn’t he say his father cut him off? Where is he going to get that kind of money?
“One point three,” Salazar counters, unfazed by Arturo’s attitude.
My time isn’t worth that kind of money, even if it’s for Furry Haven. Did somebody fill the air with hallucinogens or something?
