He looked as sexy as hell in that black tux. It fit him so perfectly that it could have been sewn onto his skin. Reed’s face was slightly stubbled and had a rough and smooth look: unlike that day at the club when he’d been clean-shaven. One eyebrow was arched, something I’d always found sexy. It was the way he’d look at me when I had disappointed him. And believe me, that happened a lot when we were together.
While Jasper was speaking with Mr. Peters about the dangers of motorcycles, I raised my glass toward Reed in salute. He responded by mirroring the action. I didn’t miss the way Phoenix looked back and forth between us, wearing his signature smirk.
Sipping my drink, I turned away as Reed placed his hand around his date. Bastard.
I managed to feign disinterest.
The other items flew by. Someone secured Reed’s football, and even the Gorman silverware set ended up going for four hundred bucks: an elderly man with gray hair and a huge forehead was the lucky winner of that. I shot Jasper a look that said it all, and he shook his head, stating that at least cutlery wouldn’t result in me ending up in the hospital. Like he gave a shit, it was all about appearances with him.
And then everything went hushed in the room as Mr. Burns read out my name and asked me to come to the stage.
Lot Ten.
Jasper stood smiling at our audience. I was surprised all the women over sixty didn’t burst into flames as he pulled my chair back and helped me to my feet. They all started doing that clucky, ‘aren’t they a lovely couple’ thing I hated.
I didn’t dare glance towards Reed’s table, but I knew he was looking at me; I could feel his eyes drilling into my cheekbone. Would he bid on me? Surely not? He already said at the club that he wasn’t allowed to draw unnecessary press, something a date with me would surely do.
As graciously as I could, I accepted the kiss Jasper dropped onto my cheek before making my way towards the stage. I played the part, just like I always fucking did. The rock on my finger suddenly felt like it was cutting off my circulation.
Mr. Burns held out his hand to assist me with the steps, my heels wobbling slightly as I got to the top. I smiled at Daddy, and he beamed back, looking his usual proud self. My mom sat next to him, putting on a brave act. I was surprised she wasn’t half-cooked already. Things hadn’t been the same between them since my father told her about the affair.
“So, ladies and gentlemen. Again, this year, we have the lovely Miss Summers, who is always a good sport at these events. For Lot Ten, you are bidding on a date with our ex-mayor’s lovely daughter. This will, of course, be a planned event and willdraw the interest of our local news. So, if you’re camera-shy, maybe sit this one out. I am going to start the bids at three thousand dollars.”
As I stood there under the lights, the center of attention, I felt empowered. I had never shied away from people looking at me. In school, I used to love it. In college, not so much, but I was changing as a person, peddling my brains instead of my looks for once. Something that had lifted me out of the peer group that was the popular clique, but hadn’t quite placed me in with the nerds. I’d been in limbo, not knowing where I slotted, and then when Reed left, it got even harder. I’d still graduated with flying colors.
Reed.
I could only see his table in the background. The lights on the stage were so bright that they cut off anyone apart from the first few rows.
After Mr. Burns’ request, I turned on the stage, allowing everyone to see what it was they were bidding on. It wasn’t serious, it was fun, and I wiggled my butt slightly, and the crowd went wild.
And then the bidding war kicked off!
I caught sight of Jasper at one point, and he wasn’t even looking. He was on his cell, messaging someone. That pissed me off even more.
“Do I hear four thousand dollars?”
Things started to escalate, with several older members of society making a bid. If I ended up with another Cumberworth type, that would probably be my last year of sacrificing myself forthe cause.
Eventually, my worth went up to sixteen thousand dollars. Mr. Worthington was in the lead. He was a widower and owned real estate in Newport. He was old, but at least he was usually minty fresh.
The entire room was alive, and the adrenaline was pumping through my veins. I had helped to raise sixteen thousand dollars!
Just as the gavel was about to drop, another husky voice echoed from the back of the hall. I shielded my eyes from the lights and attempted to see.
“Excuse me?” Mr. Burns said, shock dripping from his voice.
There was a strange ringing in my head.
“You heard me. Fifty thousand dollars.”
You could hear a pin drop. Everyone was quiet and turned towards the sound of the man who had just bid almost three times the previous offer.
That man was Reed Prescott.
I swallowed, feeling faint, but I managed to stand my ground. I glanced briefly at Jasper as Mr. Burns slammed the gavel down with gusto. His mouth was drawn in a line as he glared across the room at Reed’s table. Oh dear.
“SOLD!” Burns boomed. The guests went nuts! A sea of people pushing to their feet and banging their hands together. They had raised the lights at the back of the hall. Those at Reed’s table were all congratulating him, apart from the blonde who had her arms folded over her non-existent chest.
