“Congratulations to the winners and let’s put our hands together for our amazing bachelors and bachelorettes,” Raven said. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your generosity. For everyone atWalk a Mile, we are so grateful. Homelessness is a problem that we can solvetogether. You’re welcome to stay in the ballroom or continue your party at the hotel bar. Would the winners please rendezvous in the salon behind me? You can meet your date and exchange contactinformation.”
“Wait!” Melissa hurried onstage and snatched the mic. “Someone was added with a starting bid of fivethousand!”
“Great,” Raven exclaimed. “Could that person join us onstage?”
“It’s you.” With an exuberant smile, Melissa addressed the audience. “Before we start the bidding, please help me thank Raven for emceeing. Didn’t she do a fantasticjob?”
While Melissa led the audience in applause, Jagger pushed off thewall.
“Gentlemen, this is your opportunity to spend time with one of the sweetest, smartest and most generous women I know,” Melissa continued. “And she’s beautiful, too. Take off your mask so our audience can see who they’re biddingon.”
“My mask?” Taylor squeakedout.
Melissanodded.
As Taylor removed her mask, her confidence fizzled. She hadn’t gone on a date in a long time, and she had no interest in going on one with astranger.
“Do I hear a bid of fifty-one hundred?” Melissabegan.
“Happy birthday, Jagger.” Maverick nudged him. “Place your bid or you’ll loseher.”
“Fifty-one,” yelled a masked man seated near thefront.
“Six thousand,” calledanother.
“Jesus, do I have to bid for you?” Maverick thrust Jaggerforward.
Now standing behind the last row, Jagger raised his hand. “Sixty-five.”
“Seven,” hollered the firstman.
“Seventy-eight,” Jaggerreplied.
“Eight,” said the firstman.
“Nine,” Jaggershouted.
“Ten,” the other bidderyelled.
Jagger had had enough. Time to shut down this bidding war. “Twenty.”
The room went silent. Everyone spun in their seats. Jagger’s smile was more reactionary than sincere. He’d stunned himself. It’s not like he didn’t have the money, it was more about the fact that he wasn’t about to let Raven getaway.
“Great Zeus!” Melissaexclaimed.
Raven’s mouth droppedopen.
“Going once,” Melissa said. “Going twice.” She paused. “Going thrice to the handsome gentleman standing in theback.”
“Ohmygod,” Raven murmured, the mic catching hershock.
“That was one hell of a finale, wouldn’t you agree?” Melissa asked, and the audience broke into laughter andapplause.
When the room quieted down, Melissa continued. “On behalf ofWalk a Mile in My Shoes, we are extremely thankful. One hundred percent of tonight’s proceeds are earmarked for the homeless. Please check our website to track where your donation goes and for those who would like to pledge a donation, we welcome any and all contributions. No amount is too small. Again, for those who’ve won, please join us in the salon. Thank you, safe travels, and good night.” And with that, Melissa switched off themic.
Maverick slapped Jagger on the back. “I’m happy to split this with you. I didn’t think that guy would push you likethat.”
“It’s not about the money,” Jagger said. “What in the hell possessed you to dothat?”
