“I’ve always wanted to learn how to make a mean cocktail.”
“Two hundred to number twenty-three!” Lottie calls out.
What? Someone else bid?
I crane my neck, searching for the other bidder. When I see who it is, my eyes widen.
Brett.
My ex stares at me from where he’s sitting a few tables over, his gaze sharp, and his lips pressed into a thin line.
Dread prickles over my skin. If he wins, I’ll have to spend time with him one-on-one. Even a few hours would be torture. Why did I—
Rowan raises his paddle. “Three hundred!”
They go back and forth. Five hundred.
And back and forth. Seven hundred.
And back and forth. Nine hundred!
By this point, I’m sweating through my dress. Our entire table is staring at me, some with amusement, and some with disbelief.
This feels like a civilized version of a duel.
And the thing that makes even less sense is that they’re dueling overme.
“One thousand to number fourteen!”
Holy shit. That’s more than what I earn in a week at Frostbite.
Rowan seems completely calm, but Brett’s face is turning red.
“One thousand one hundred to number twenty-three!”
Rowan raises his paddle and calls out. “Five thousand.”
Hushed whispers travel through the room. I’m stunned. I have no idea what to even think.
I see Brett’s father lay a hand on his arm, stopping him from continuing this madness. Brett scowls but doesn’t bid again.
“The mixology class with Blake goes to Mr. Miller for five thousand dollars! Oh my goodness, how exciting!”
The room erupts in applause and Rowan turns to me. He doesn’t seem at all concerned about the eye-watering sum he just dropped on something I would have given himfor free.
“Rowan,” I choke out. “You’re absolutely crazy.”
“Crazy? No, Sunshine. I just know what I want, and I do whatever it takes to get it.”
I grip the napkin on my lap. “I had no idea you wanted to learn mixology this badly. You should have said something to me earlier.”
His heavy gaze drops to my lips. "What I really want is your undivided attention for a few hours. That's worth far more than five grand to me." A lazy smirk spreads across his face. "And if you manage to teach me something during that time, well then, I'll be impressed."
“Why’s that?” I ask, trying to ignore the heat spreading through my body.
He looks me up and down, his eyes darkening. "Because you make for a very distracting teacher."
A blush rises to my cheeks. I glance down, trying to hide the smile that’s tugging at my lips. Does he have any idea what this means to me? He probably just made my lesson the most valuable item in this entire auction. And he did it in front ofeveryone.
