My mouth lifts, but I keep my attention on Cobie.
“My father’s wise words made me think of my mom,” Cobie reveals.“Would she be proud of me?Would she look down on me from Heaven and…” Again, she hesitates and wipes the corner of her eye.“Sorry.”Her laugh is pathetic at best.“We’re here today to honor my mother and anyone else who was taken from their families before their time should have been up.And, as a way to honor each and every one of them, I felt…inspired”—she smiles—“to set some pretty wild goals that, with your help this evening, I think we can achieve.”
“Woo-hoo!”Someone from the crowd yells.
Cobie’s smile widens.“Every dollar spent tonight will go directly to helping families who have lost someone to drunk driving.Families like mine, if we hadn’t been lucky enough to have a hardworking father who not only put a very fancy roof over our heads, but food on the table every day.”
I scan the crowd once more, unable to help myself.I’d be lying if I said I was looking for Bryan.Nope.My gaze falls on Ford again.In a white button-up, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and the top button undone, revealing just enough tan skin to leave a girl curious.Slouched in his chair, he sips an amber-colored drink from a crystal glass, his sandy brown hair looking tousled and effortless in a way that isn’t fair.And just like before, his expression is locked down.I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking.Is he remembering his mom?Does he miss her?How old was she when she was taken from him?
I can’t imagine losing my mom.At the idea alone, tears prickle behind my eyes before I can stop them.I let out another slow breath, determined not to ruin my makeup, AKA all of Lexie’s hard work.She’d probably kill me.
“Remember,” Cobie continues, “the women who are generous enough to offer their time this evening have also volunteered three additional hours that will be mutually agreed upon by the bidding winners and themselves.If you need any specific details concerning what each bid entails, and what may or may not be approved, you’re welcome to check the brochure everyone received when checking in to tonight’s event.And now, on to the fun part.”
“Woo-hoo!”another person cheers.
With a grin, Cobie announces, “First, we have the lovely…” She looks down at her tablet resting on the podium, “Sadie Sinclair.”A tall brunette with long legs that go on for miles walks onto the stage with her head held high.“Sadie is a Cappa Pi.She’s also an excellent yogi who enjoys yoga in the park every Saturday morning.Sadie enjoys philanthropy of any kind, and when she isn’t volunteering her time for charity events such as this, you can find her on the sidelines cheering on HHU’s basketball team.Let’s hear it for Sadie!”
Whistles ensue.
I let the curtain fall back into place and lean against the cinderblock wall, attempting to ease my anxiety.
Mirth dances in Violet’s pretty gaze as she watches me.“You okay?”
“Okay, I’m maybe freaking out a little.”
“It’s going to be fine?—”
“Says Jagger’s girlfriend.”I close my eyes to center myself.“No, you're right.You’re totally right.It’s going to be fine.I’m just going to walk out there when my name’s called, keep my head held high, and pray I go for more than twenty dollars.”
“Twenty dollars?”She snorts.“I bet you hit five hundred.”
I pry my eyes open.“Five hundred?Are you insane?”
“Lexie was right earlier.You look hot, and those knockers?”She wags her fingers at my cleavage.“Even the guys from the very back of the room will be able to see those ladies.”
“I thought you said it wasn’t that revealing!”
“I lied.”She laughs.“I one hundred percent lied.”
I cross my arms to cover the knockers in question, giving her a mock glare that should make her cower.She only laughs more.“I couldn’t help myself, okay?And like I said?—”
“Next, we have Violet Reeves!”Cobie calls.
“Shit.”Pasting on a brave face, Violet squeezes my arm, then steps onto the stage.
“Violet is majoring in Public Policy and is a star scholar at HHU,” Cobie announces.“When her nose isn’t stuck in a book, you can find?—”
“Five grand,” a low voice booms.I don’t have to look to confirm who it belongs to.Good ol’ Jagger Harden pulling his weight.I’m not surprised.Although…five grand?A quiet whistle slips past my lips.Yeah, that’ll do.
I pity whoever goes after her.There’s no way they’ll hit five hundred, let alone five grand.
“Going once?”Cobie says.“Twice?”
“Six grand,” someone calls.
What?
Reaching for the edge of the curtain, I peel it back a few inches and glance through the crack.Who in the world would bid six grand on Jagger Harden’s girlfriend?Do they have a death wish?I scan the crowd only to find Lexie’s older brother with his hand raised.
