“Yeah. It’s ridiculous, right?” Ross replied.
“Well, if you’re looking for someone with good penmanship, I’m your gal.”
Without a word, he handed her the card and pen, a feeling of relief passing over him.
“Is there anything in particular you want me to write?”
“I don’t know. Just say,thanks for bidding on this ring.”
“You’re standing with the sweet-talking, people-pleaser here, remember? I’m sure we can do better than that.” She lifted her lovely eyes to the ceiling in quiet contemplation for a few moments before bending over the table and writing words in elegant swoops across the card’s blank surface. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, possibly because his handwriting had never swooped in his life.
When finished, Mia read, “Congratulations on winning this original gold and pearl twig ring. It was designed by local craftsman and talented artist, Ross Manasse of El Dorado Jewelry, who was inspired by the natural beauty of our city, the pearl of the Sierras. Your donation is helping at-risk youth and supporting local artistry. Thank you! El Dorado Jewelry.” She glanced at him. “What do you think?”
Ross was amazed at Mia’s ability to retrieve words with ease, as if they were books on a convenient shelf, waiting to be plucked at a moment’s notice. Was her mind filled with beautiful phrases all the time? He could have spent a week and not come close to her level of finesse. “Yeah, it’s fine. Although, I don’t think anyone has ever called Placerville the pearl of anything. And it’s probably not necessary to pat them and myself on the back.”
“You’re lucky you have someone like me to do the dirty PR work for you.” She set the card and pen beside the El Dorado Jewelry display before turning to him, her eyes glittering. “I also added,P.S. Mia, the ring looks gorgeous on your finger. And you just scored a great deal on jewelry that’s just as amazing as you are. With great respect and friendship, Ross.”
“Uh-huh,” Ross responded. He was sure she was egging him on, but this time he didn’t mind. She remained rooted in place with a coy smile fixed upon her face. He drew nearer to inspect the auction clipboard on the table. “And what do you meangreat deal? Just how much do you think an original ring from the talented Ross Manasse is worth bidding?”
Mia’s eyes grew wide at her mistake. Using her body as a shield, she blocked his access to the clipboard. “Now, Rosso, you know I would bid a million dollars if I had it. That’s really all you need to consider.”
His arms snaked around her, trying to get a hold of the information he sought. “I think I would prefer the truth, rather than your fancy diplomacy talk. What are you hiding, Russo? Obviously, something shameful.”
In response to his efforts, Mia leaned across the table with Ross looming over her. His fingers managed to claim the corner of the clipboard before she placed a flat hand on it, preventing him from gaining further territory. She wasn’t going to make this easy for him, and, at this moment, he didn’t want it to be.
A calm expression graced her face, not appearing at all on the losing end of this real-life Stratego, despite her disadvantaged position. “I’m a hardworking lady. What do I have to be ashamed of? You know what is shameful? Your relentless curiosity on something which is none of your business.”
“It’s my item. I think that makes it my business.”
“I’m pretty sure this is against the rules. You’re not supposed to be naming and shaming bidders. I don’t think you’re allowed to look.”
He tried to claim the clipboard again, but she held him off, maintaining an expression of cheerful defiance. His own lips tugged in a smile. “It’s called a silent auction, not a secret auction. It must be terrible for you to be so embarrassed.”
“I’m not embarrassed.”
“What is it? Twenty bucks?”
Mia stopped and gawked, her expression transforming into one of fake outrage. But she was unable to hide the sparkle from her eyes. “How dare you imply I would only bid twenty bucks? I am not that low. I find your arrogance and assumptions and…and…and your face offensive.”
“What does my face have to do with this?”
“Isn’t it obvious? That’s where all the arrogance and assumptions are coming from.”
Ross barked out a laugh, which led to Mia’s dimple indenting deeper.
“Excuse me.” Ross and Mia’s heads swiveled, finding an old, impatient woman nearby. “Are you kids going to take much longer on this item? I wanted to take a look at it.”
He realized how bad it appeared with Mia practically laid out on the table, and his limbs entwined around her. “I’m so sorry. Yes, she’s done.” Ross sprung upright, pulling Mia away from the table. He made sure to get a good look at the clipboard before moving away. “Thirty-five dollars, Mia? Really?” Ross followed behind her.
Despite her secret being revealed, Mia remained unperturbed. “Do you want to look inside my wallet? I, literally, had fifty-five dollars, and I used twenty dollars to get in here. And blocking the clipboard was my only strategy at keeping people from outbidding me. But now that old lady is making a bid. She’s going to bereallyconfused when she reads the personal postscript I put on the card.” Mia lifted one of the other auction items, a wooden cutting board with cutlery as if considering making another bid.
“Thank you for writing the card, Mia.”
She eyed him before returning to her inspection of the cutting board. Deciding against it, Mia replaced it in its original spot before moving to the next item. “And?”
“And what?”
“I was hoping you’d say,Thanks for writing the card, Mia. How can I repay you for your amazing PR skills?”
