Violet smiles.“Lex, June, this is Jagger’s little sister.She’s staying with them.”
Lexie nods.“Nice to meet you, Cobie.”
I offer a small wave.“Hi.”
“Hey,” she returns, turning back to Violet.“So will you help me?”
“With what?”Violet questions.
“The fundraiser,” Cobie explains.“After I told my dad I want to stick around long-term, he said I need to prove I’m part of the Harden community, and what better way to prove I’m part of it than by spearheading a fundraiser?”
Lexie’s nose wrinkles.“That sounds promising.”
“You have no idea,” Cobie grumbles.“The problem is, it’s kind of hard to find volunteers when you don’t know anyone in town.So what do you say?Want to help me?”
Violet’s gaze bounces from Lexie to me and back again before finally landing on Cobie.“I mean, we’re happy to try.What do you need?”
Picking up the flyer, Lexie begins scanning the logistics.
Meanwhile, Cobie explains, “Okay, so there’s this auction, and?—”
“Yeesh.”Lexie grimaces.“You picked the one thing that makes me and my friends useless.”
I don’t miss the way Lexie says, “friends,” as in plural.Warmth spreads through my chest, and I smile against the straw of my coffee.It’s not that I’m entirely caught off guard.It's just…Lexie’s a little like a snapping turtle.Seemingly harmless, but with a bite that could take off a finger.Knowing she’s accepted me so wholly feels good.Really good.
I’ve never really had friends.That sounds pathetic, but it’s true.I’ve always kept my friend circle small, but when my best friend in high school moved during our junior year, I decided that keeping my head down was probably the best course of action moving forward.And it was going well.Focusing on school and work and baking and the occasional volunteering opportunity, and I was happy as a clam.Then, my recluse of a roommate was replaced with Violet a couple of months into the new school year, and the rest is history.I finally clicked with someone.Two someones, actually, since Lexie and Violet are basically a package deal.Not that I’m complaining.I kind of love their friendship.And the fact that they’re willing to make their duo a trio?Yup.I officially have warm fuzzies.
“What Lexie’s trying to say is that we don’t exactly have any spare cash, and we also don’t really have anything to donate for the auction,” Violet clarifies.She snatches the flyer from Lexie and begins scanning it.“Is there anything else we can do to help?”
“I actually don’t need your money,” Cobie rushes out.“What I need are volunteers.One evening.Three hours.”She pauses.“Okay, technically two evenings.One evening for the actual auction to take place, then another evening when the bidder cashes in.But still.Easy peasy, lemon squeezy.You in?”
My brows furrow in confusion.“And…what are they cashing in on?”
“Our time,” Violet answers for me.She sets the flyer back onto the table and looks up at Cobie.“That’s what the flyer says.Am I right?”
“Exactly,” Cobie beams.“So, what do you say?”Her gaze bounces from one person to the next before finally landing on me.“Want to help a girl out?”
“Uh…”
Lexie lifts her hand, saving me from forcing out a response.“Does the volunteer have any say in what they’ll be doing during the time they’re donating?”
Cobie pulls on the sleeves of her light sweatshirt, bunching the extra fabric in her palms.“I mean, technically, it’s whatever the winner wants.They provide all of the accommodations to make the volunteer comfortable during their service hours, but?—”
Lexie laughs.“Yeah, because the people of Harden Heights don’t already have maids and landscapers and everything else.”She leans forward.“You know what this really is, right?”
“What is it?”I ask, feeling so out of the loop, it’s not even funny.
“It’s a dating auction.”
Violet’s jaw drops.“Is it?”she asks Cobie.
The girl has the decency to look sheepish.Tugging at the sleeves of her sweatshirt once more, she folds her arms.“I mean, technically, the bidder has the freedom to request anything they want—I mean, within reason—it’s not like we’re allowing prostitution or whatever, but technically speaking?—”
“You’re going in circles, Cobie,” Lexie points out as if they’re already good friends instead of complete strangers.
“Okay, yes,” Cobie blurts out.“Technically?—”
“There it is again,” Lexie mumbles.
