Moments later, Ella, Tony, and Michael sneak up and squeeze the life out of me in a group hug.
“Y’all are the worst,” I huff as I try to regain my breath.
“And you love us anyway,” Ella sings.
I really do. These people have become like family to Micah and me and I’m never letting them go.
“She doesn’t really have a choice. We’re locked in,” Tony adds.
“But also, you did not tell me how many fine women would be in attendance tonight,” Michael says as he surveys the room.
“And why would she do that when none of them would want your ass?” Ella teases.
“Who asked you, Two Scoops? I’m leaving here with at least one number tonight, watch.”
“It’s Tanya’s homegoing and you worried about getting numbers. Degenerate,” she tsks.
I interrupt. “Right. Michael, have you met Christian? And Ella, have you met Evie? Ireallythink y’all would get along.” It would most likely be disastrous, but I’m willing to risk it for the sheer entertainment potential.
I point out their doppelgängers and tell them to introduce themselves at some point before I head over to the auction area to check the lists.
Bailey is going to walk away with Tanya’s mom’s music box. That is so perfect for her.
One of Tanya’s cousins is taking Victor’s glass-covered rose.
Auntie Joyce is going to win Micah’s portrait of Tanya. I couldn’t be happier with that turnout.
Christian is standing off to the side with a sour look on his face.
I walk over to Evie and tap her on the shoulder. “What’s up with him?”
She snickers, so I know she’s up to no good. “He’s just mad because no one has bid on his little date.”
“No one at all?” I say, shocked. Christian may be a bit much for my tastes, but he’s attractive. I can’t believe no one would bid.
“I mayyyy have paid whoever came up to his clipboard to walk away.”
I slap her arm. “You ain’t shit. That money is for charity.”
“Please, I’m good for it. But that look on his face is worth its weight in gold.”
We cackle when Christian perks up at the sight of another woman walking over to his bidding table, all to deflate as she walks away quickly.
“Oh, and by the way,” Evie adds, “I was told to give you this tonight.” She reaches into the breastplate of her dress and pulls out something small and folded.
When I unfold it, I realize it’s a small swatch of sandpaper. My head flies up, searching for Micah, but I don’t see him anywhere.
“Who told you to do this?” I ask, though there’s only one person it could be.
“Mmm, I was told if you asked that to simply say, ‘I’ll be your sandpaper.’ So, that’s all I got for you.”
My vision becomes blurry, but I don’t wipe the tears away. I wear them like a medal.
While I’m searching for Micah, I bump into Slater, and I’m shocked to see who he’s with. “Hi, Slater. Thanks for coming. And, Kelly. I am … surprised to see you here.” She looks stunning in a gold floor-length dress.
“I misjudged Tanya, so I wanted to show my support.”
“It took you this long to realize you misjudged her?” My curiosity is too great not to ask what convinced her to come.
