Tammy’s brow furrowed, not quite sure what she meant. ‘Excuse me?’
‘You are the lucky lady. Some lucky fellows will be bidding to have an hour-long date with you this evening at the charity auction.’
Tammy blinked, her mind racing to catch up. ‘Charity auction?’
Pamela nodded. ‘Yes, do you remember me telling you about your parents and the auction? Well, you are the chosen woman from the community. You’re our nominee this year.’
Tammy’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘Oh, I... I don’t know if I can—’
Pamela cut her off gently. ‘It’s all in good fun, Tammy. And for a good cause. It will be commencing very shortly.’
Tammy’s eyes widened in alarm, but Pamela was already gently propelling her towards the makeshift stage before she could object. This was not an ideal situation if Richi was lurking around somewhere.
‘O-oh, I’m not sure...’ Tammy stammered, but Pamela waved off her protests.
‘Nonsense, the crowd will be thrilled! What sweetheart wouldn’t want the chance to win a date with our town’s newest darling?’
Before she knew it, Tammy found herself smiling awkwardly under the hot sun as the auctioneer called her name and recited a glowing—if rather exaggerated—description of her many charms and talents using flourishing language.
As expected, Declan and Pharis immediately leaped into fierce bidding, attempting to outspend each other. Under different circumstances, Tammy might have found their competitiveness over her flattering. But right now, she was just desperate for this circus to be over with.
The frantic bidding war waged on. Each bid was a testament to the chemistry she had felt with both of them, and her heart raced as the numbers climbed higher and higher.
Mixed emotions churned within Tammy. On one hand, she felt the undeniable pull of attraction toward both Pharis and Declan. On the other hand, her heart was still scarred from the wounds of her past with Richi, and the fear of being hurt again gnawed at her.
Each was standing on the opposite side of the field and heads were turning left to right, as if they were watching a tennis match as the bidding war raged. Declan and Pharis shot each other heated glares while the crowd watched, enthralled by their rivalry.
Just when Tammy thought the price couldn’t possibly go any higher, a new voice called out casually, ‘Five hundred pounds’ from the back of the crowd. Tammy’s stomach dropped into her feet—that cocky tone was unmistakable anywhere.
Sure enough, to her horror, Richi emerged from the throng flashing an insolent grin. Pamela clapped delightedly at the unexpected donation as Declan and Pharis exchanged stunned, worried glances. They both recognised that this mystery bidder spelled trouble.
Cheeks burning, Tammy had no choice but to go through with the ‘date’ as Richi swaggered to the front. He grabbed two beers from the drinks table Declan had been manning and strolled past him with an arrogant wink.
‘I’ll take it from here, buddy,’ he muttered, loud enough for Declan to hear. Tammy saw Declan’s jaw clench, but he held himself back with effort, shooting Tammy a sympathetic look.
Richi wasted no time steering Tammy toward an empty picnic table, where curious eyes followed their every move. Tammy saw her Uncle Ben storm over to Pharis and start talking to him. Her heart thundered in her chest and her palms felt clammy. ‘You’re looking as gorgeous as ever, Tam,’ Richi said as he sat, leaning into her space.
Tammy recoiled from his cloying cologne. ‘Let’s not make small talk Richi,’ she said tersely. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I actually came here on business, then I spotted you in Seagull Bay.’ He looked around at the crowd with a patronising glare. ‘I never expected you to lower yourself this much, running off to this little backward seaside town.’ Tammy bristled.
‘Well, what I do is no longer your concern, so now you can leave,’ Tammy said coldly. ‘We have nothing more to discuss.’
At that, Richi’s facade of charm instantly crumbled. ‘You don’t belong here. I see that now. You need to come back with me—I want you back. No, I need you back. The business is struggling without you.’
Tammy scoffed, astonished by his audacity. He’d thrown her away like garbage and now things weren’t so good he thought he could reclaim her. ‘No. I’ll never set foot anywhere near you or that business again.’
Richi grabbed her wrist in a painful grip. ‘I’m giving you one chance to forget this backwater place and come back where you belong.’
In her peripheral vision, Tammy saw Declan and Pharis both moving forward towards her, but Tammy quickly yanked her arm from Richi’s grasp and stood up. ‘The only place I belong is right here, as far from you as possible,’ she retorted, voice shaking. ‘Now get out of my sight, before a seventy-nine-year-old man puts you to shame.’ Tammy looked over at her Uncle Ben who was poised ready to jump to her aid at any moment.
For a second, she thought Richi might get physical. Declan and Pharis appeared by her side simultaneously, their expressions fierce and protective. Declan’s command was firm. ‘Let her go!’
Pharis’ large hand appeared and clamped firmly down on his shoulder. Richi didn’t even get a chance to protest before Pharis swiftly escorted him away. Tammy blinked back angry tears as Ben rushed to her side.
‘Are you alright? Who was that scoundrel?’ he asked worriedly, scanning the dispersing crowd for the man’s face.
‘No one worth the trouble,’ Tammy answered quickly. ‘I’m fine, Uncle Ben, truly.’ She hugged him, hoping to keep him from pursuing Richi.
