“Now remember, each man will commit to one date with the highest bidder on their basket. These women chose you based off your interests and the many items you placed in the basket. We’ll start with number one.”
Bee went through each basket before stopping at the last three. Smiling to herself, she glanced over her shoulder at Coast, who was tittering on exhaustion with the sun still beaming down on her. She was ready for a shower and some air conditioning. A medium build, espresso-skinned man with a row of diamonds covering his bottom teeth lingered near the edge of the stage. With his fitted hat turned backward, he winked at Coast, which made her uncomfortable. Brows cinching together, she turned up her nose and faced Bee but spotted Mozzi out of the corner of her eye. He too was focused on the man near the stage ogling her, with a deep scowl carved in his handsome face.
“Now, we’ve reached the final three, and I personally bid on this next one. For the good of the cause, I am going to send my niece, Coast, in my place,” Bee announced, grinning over her shoulder at Coast, who suddenly had all eyes on her. “The basket I bid on belongs to a young man I have watched grow up along these streets practically all his life. Mozzi Blackmoor.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Coast mumbled with an eyeroll.
There was all kinds of chatter in disappointment among the other ladies in the crowd, but Mozzi pumped his fist.
“That’s what the fuck I’m talking about!”
“Coast, come grab the basket,” Bee encouraged.
Reluctant, Coast dragged her feet to where Bee stood with the microphone and handed her Mozzi’s basket.
“Now, moving on to the second to the last. Inari Jacobs, looks like you are the winner, and your date is Moose Blackmoor,” Bee went on.
Cheers erupted along with more disappointment from the groupies who bid as Inari’s keen eyes took in the crowd. Moose simpered beside Kong and chucked his chin at her.
“Last, but certainly not least, Miss Ayla Jacobs is our final winner, and her date is Mr. Kong Blackmoor,” Bee concluded, catching both Kong and Ayla by surprise.
He stood beside her as the kids licked their ice cream nearby, and a shy smile toyed with her lips. She was only bidding to give a donation. She was a good sport and didn’t expect to win. Knowing that it was Kong she bid on now had little balls of apprehension swirling in her stomach.
“Ladies, feel free to present each man with his basket. We appreciate everyone for this year’s participation!” Bee yelled into the mic before starting an encore of clapping and cheers.
Inari quickly turned her attention from Moose, and Dane nudged her shoulder.
“Check you out. Going on a date with Moose.”
“I had no idea that was his basket,” Inari clarified.
“That’s kind of the idea.” Moose’s husky baritone cut into her conversation with her son. “You chose my basket based off what exactly, though?”
“The disposable camera,” Inari replied. “Back in the day, we didn’t have cell phones at our fingertips like that, and it was nothing like we see today with social media. We had to snap our selfies the old-fashioned way. I think I also spotted an iPod. It was nostalgic. Simple.” She shrugged.
“So, when do I get to occupy some of your time?”
Moose was enjoying this a little too much. Clearing her throat, she glanced at Dane, who lifted both brows and studiedher. She knew she was doing a terrible job pretending not to be attracted to him.
“Don’t look at me. I ain’t your parent.”
Moose chuckled, and Inari nudged her son away from her.
“Go find your friends before I send you back home.”
“Moose, take her somewhere nice.” Dane ignored her and turned to his new homie. “I can’t remember the last time she been on a date. All she does is sit at home, watching old crime shows, meal planning, going to the gym, and nagging me.”
“Boy, get the hell out of here!”
Dane chortled, strolling off to find his friends, and his mother shook her head after him.
“He’s… exaggerating. A lot of my time is filled with work and driving him all over town for basketball and other shit.”
“I get it.” Moose bobbed his head. “So, give me a date that works for you, and I’ll accommodate it.”
“I’ll have to look at my calendar,” she lied, eyes sweeping over the ground.
Moose rattled her core, changing the air she breathed in and making her pulse race. It was that old school, butterflies in the stomach, stars in her eyes type of emotion that hadn’t been evoked in her in a long time. She didn’t know it was even possible. Dane was right about one thing; she hadn’t dated in a while because the pickings were slim. She’d been abandoned and forced to stand on her own. Depending on yourself left you with little faith in people because you were always waiting for them to disappoint you, anyway. So, Inari lived in survival mode.
