Page 81 of Auctioned to the Billionaire Surgeon

“Gentlemen, I’m sure you can understand that I’d like to dance with my beautiful date.”

They all laughed and called out several reasons why Jelly should be with them instead of me, and it was all very good-humored.

I held out my hand to her. “Dance with me?”

She smiled, nodded, and put her hand in mine. I pulled her into my arms and began dancing with her.

“Are you having a good time?”

She looked up at me, a glint in those blue eyes. “You’re kidding, right?”

I did a double-take, looking at her in surprise. “You’re not?”

“It’s fine,” she shrugged. “It’s just those guys didn’t expect me to have a brain, you know? I was just supposed to stand there and look pretty.”

“Get used to it, babe,” I said as I spun her out and back to me, “that’s the main role of society wives and girlfriends.”

“I seriously doubt Carmen or Gloria Salazar stand around and look pretty on their dates’ arms.”

“They’re the exception, not the rule, darling.” I gave a chin nod to a couple of guys I knew.

After a few moments of realizing I was looking around the room and dancing on autopilot, I glanced at Jelly. She was being uncharacteristically quiet.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

She smiled and nodded, but it looked forced. The smiledidn’t light up her eyes like her genuine ones did.

Was this still about her name? I was about to press her further, when the song ended. The organizer of the event took the stage to talk about the charity and give thanks to the Salazar family for hosting. I walked Jelly off the dance floor.

I had seen my parents at a table and knew I had to introduce her to them.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Paolo

I walked over to my parents’ table, dreading the introduction I had to make. Hopefully, they were somewhat decent to her at least.

Mom and Dad were presenting a united front. Both looked underwhelmed by Jelly, though I’d seen Dad’s pervy old eyes scanning her face and body. It made me want to punch him.

“Paolo,” Mama stood up to give me air kisses as she held both my hands. “It’s so good to see you.” She stared at Jelly. “Please, sit down. You and your lovely date.”

There was something in the way Mama said ‘lovely’ that made me glance at her sharply, but Jelly seemed to take it in stride.

“This is Ann Ray,” I said.

“It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Lanetti,” she said with a sweet smile.

“You as well, dear,” Mama’s voice was much less sincere.

Dad just gave her a head nod and what might pass for a smile in some circles.

The four of us sat there for a while, the silence growing a bit uncomfortable. “You’ll come for dinner this week,” Mama said.

“Oh.” Jelly glanced at me. “I’d love to. Thank you so much for the invitation.” She had impeccable manners. In fact, hers were better than the rest of ours. I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was perfect.

Maybe that’s why I didn’t see the woman who joined ourtable until it was too late to prepare myself.

“Paolo,” Mama fussed, “help the lady with her chair.”