Page 53 of Be My Valentine

When the actual auction began, Mark took her hand and finally sat down.

“You looked like a worker bee; you’ve been buzzingaround like crazy.”

“I hope that’s a compliment.” She laughed.

Mark kissed her on the lips, and she instinctively recoiled.

“Not here, in front of all these people!” She scolded him.

“It’s actually necessary. Too many people are looking at you… with good reason I would say…”

Kate felt his gaze settle on every inch of her skin. She shuddered and the next instant blushed violently.

Mark looked at her smugly.

“Sounds like a great start to me.”

Kate turned away embarrassed and was chilled by Annie Carson’s presence. She was pointing at them, like a hawk pouncing on its prey. She didn’t look angry, just waiting to snatch someone, her probably, and sink her talons in until she bled.

“I’m here.” whispered Mark to her “You’re safe.”

Kate tried to relax. She followed with bated breath the bids rising from the guests, the committee members taking turns as auctioneers, amused at wearing those unusual robes. She was happy, everything was proceeding as she and Emma had planned, yet she was still left with a subtle uneasiness, which she knew who to blame.

Suddenly she saw Emma beckoning to her.

“I’ll be right back; your sister is calling me.” She whispered to Mark.

Emma had a contrite face.

“I didn’t want to bother you, but my mother seems so busy right now!” She looked at her guiltily “I have to pee.”

Kate laughed and took her by the arm.

“Why do we women always go to the bathroom in pairs?” She mocked her.

Emma huffed.

“I really don’t know. Habit?” she attempted “If someone didn’t tango on my bladder, I probably wouldn’t need to.”

“Wow!” said Kate opening the door “Even the bathrooms are killer here. I’ll go in with you if you need me.”

“I’ll manage, don’t worry, just make sure no one opens the door.”

“There’s a key.” She obeyed.

“I don’t want to lock myself in. What if I pass out and can’t open it?” she saw her friend become alarmed “I’m fine, I’m just saying.” And she finally walked in.

Kate took the opportunity to check her makeup, thinking that Emma had downplayed the scare she’d had just a few days before. She should have told her brother.

The door opened and Annie Carson made her entrance. She had the bearing of a queen making her way to the throne and Kate bit her tongue, refraining from pointing out that, as luxurious as they were, they were actually toilets.

“Wonderful evening, perfect organization.”

Something was up, Annie Carson wasn’t normally complimentary, or at least not to her.

“You’ll have had a chance to meet a lot of people, contacts that may be useful to you in the future.” she continued “No one ever turns down a favor to a volunteer so dedicated to a cause.”

“No one owes me anything, I just did my job.” Kate replied dryly, the implication that she had done it for an ulterior motive bothered her, in fact, everything that came out of that mouth was unbearable.