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“Oh, that would be wonderful. What’s she going to study?”
“Fashion Design.”
“And she’s choosing to move here instead of staying in New York?”
“Believe it or not, for how much she hated the initial move here, she fell in love with the Evergreen State.”
“Oh, that I can believe,” I tell him. After all, there are few other places I’ve traveled to that I could see loving as much as the Pacific Northwest.
Dinner is served before the silent auction is opened along with the dance floor. While we eat, a few people speak about the charity, the team and the arena back. Including my father, who shows a rare moment of the charming personality he always showed to his wife and daughters. It’s probably good for his players to see, it makes him relatable.
The items up for auction are luxurious. Quite a few are extravagant vacations, but only for two people. Not three. So, I skip over those, as well as items I don’t think any of us will find much use in. The first item that catches my attention is a Cartier Trinity bracelet. Dainty and sparkling with a gold band, a rose gold band, and one encrusted with tiny diamonds. I run my finger along the dainty chain.
“How much do you think it’s worth,” Zander asks, tickling the shell of my ear.
“About three thousand,” I guess, trying to remember prices when I was helping Dad pick out a piece for my mother on their last wedding anniversary.
“You should place a bid. It’s the right piece.”
“I don’t know, it’s so expensive,” I say. The starting bid is set twenty-five hundred and it’s been upped twice. Currently, it sits at six thousand.
“Not for him, and he’d love to see that on your wrist.” When I hesitate, Zander takes the decision from me. Writing down a ridiculously high number.
“Zander,” I hiss.
“Trust me, Willa. You’re still nowhere close to the number he gave me. Keep looking.”
“You’re joking,” I say in disbelief.
“Not even a little, gorgeous,” Zander answers, wrapping his fingers around my waist to lead us to the next item. “He has more money than he knows what to do with.”
We place bids on a few other items, at much smaller amounts, because it still feels wrong spending his money when he’s not here. When we reach the end of the line, I excuse myself to use the ladies’ room. When I get back, he’s talking to a couple of people I’m not familiar with. He sees me and waves me over.
“Michael is going to take some pictures of us,” he tells me, leading me to the dance floor.
“Okay, does he want us to pose?”
“No, just dance with me. He’s going to take candid shots.” Zander wraps me up in his arms and begins swaying us to the music. Though it isn’t supposed to look like a photo opportunity, it feels like one in subtle ways. He feels stiff around me, uncomfortable.
“Hey,” I say, placing my palm on his jaw. “Relax, it’s just me.”
He drops his forehead to mine and slides his hand lower down my back, nearly to my ass. Yet he doesn’t relax even as the song plays on. As it ends and we walk off, I see Isla looking on, a concerned ruffle on her brow.
Did I miss something?
14
Zander
Me:
Will call has your tickets. Your room is at the St. Paul next door. I’ve already paid for it.
Callie:
Thanks, big brother! Can’t wait to see you.
Me:
