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He made a face as if he’d just taken a large bite out of a lemon. “Hard not to.”
He had a point. All the local television stations as well as the Providence Gazette had run stories over the past several weeks. It had also popped up all over social media sites too.
“I take it you’re going?” The I-just-ate-a-lemon look remained on his face.
“Mom purchased tickets for the four of us. It’s for a good cause.” She’d tried rehearsing a speech last night and this morning, but no matter what, nothing sounded right. “And my friend Derek is participating in it.”
“Not surprising. It sounds like something he’d do.” A tinge of sarcasm laced Trevor’s voice.
“Actually, he’s only doing it as a favor to his aunt. And since he really doesn’t want to participate, he asked for my help.” Trevor’s comment annoyed her, and her voice took on a defensive tone.
The tiny crow’s feet near his eyes deepened as his eyebrows furrowed. “It’s a bachelor auction, correct? How can you help him?”
She licked her bottom lip. “Well…” She paused and took a sip of her iced tea to combat the sudden dryness in her mouth. “This is going to sound crazy, I know.” She cleared her throat and took another drink while she searched for the words. “His ex purchased a ticket and will be there.” A little fib right now allowed her to avoid the true reason. “She wants to give things a second try. Derek doesn’t and he’s afraid she’ll put in the highest bid, forcing them to spend time together. The highest bidder gets four dates with the bachelor they win.” Pausing again, she took another long sip from her drink. “Since she’ll be there, he asked me to make sure I’m the highest bidder when it’s his turn.”
“Dishonest but effective, I guess. Since the auction is Friday, the rest of the weekend remains open for us.”
Either Trevor was the most understanding man in the world or he didn’t completely understand what she was telling him. Regardless, she needed to make sure he fully understood what she’d promised Derek. “True.” She pushed up her eyeglasses. There was no sugarcoating what she needed to add. “The media is going to be all over this event. Everyone’s going to expect Derek and me to go out on some romantic dates. If we don’t, people will suspect it was a charade.”
His hand slipped away from hers and he cleared his throat before he spoke. “I see.” Trevor fell silent, but his severe frown conveyed his feelings.
Whether or not it was his intention, Trevor’s expression made her shift in her seat, unable to meet his eye. “Derek and I have been friends since college. I’m only doing this to help him. And it won’t be much different than when we spend time together now. After the required dates are done, the media will be happy and things will go back to normal between us.”
Trevor folded his hands together, his frown still locked in place making him look older and reminding her of the twelve-year age difference between them. “And while you help him, your life goes on hold? Is that how this agreement works? Sounds like Sherbrooke is getting the better end of the deal. Or do you get something in return?”
For the first time since she’d met Trevor, she didn’t like him. Even if there was some way for her to benefit from the agreement, which there wasn’t, why did he assume she would? She never helped a friend because she expected something in return. “I’m helping Derek because he’s a good friend, and he’d do the same for me. And no, my life won’t be on hold. I can still spend time with other people.”
He looked away, a clear indication he’d heard the annoyance in her voice and realized how much she disliked his questions. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s a rather peculiar situation.”
“That’s a great way of describing it. And I understand if you’re having second thoughts about seeing me again. But either way, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone else about this.” She didn’t know who he was well acquainted with, but one word to the wrong person could spell disaster.
Trevor reached over and took her hand again. “I’d never betray your trust like that, Brooklyn.”
Relief swept through her, and her body relaxed.
“Despite your odd arrangement, I want to see you again soon.”
She’d expected a different answer from him, perhaps even hoped for a different answer. Brooklyn ignored her disappointment and smiled. “Great.” Look on the bright side. Dad has only one reason to give me hell.
***
“Scott is waving us over,” Jake, holding his three-month-old son, Garret, said nodding toward the opposite side of the room.
Derek glanced to where his cousin and his father stood. He hadn’t spoken to either in a while, but before he got pulled into any other conversation, he wanted to check on his sister. Actually, he’d been searching for her since he arrived, but for the last forty-five minutes, he’d been greeting the many family members filling his dad’s house instead. Every living Sherbrooke and their significant other was in attendance for tonight’s pre-wedding party. Even his cousin Brett, who rarely made it to family events because of his military obligations, had made it this weekend. Of course the fact that the youngest daughter of Warren Sherbrooke, the President of the United States, was the one getting married probably helped his cousin get to Rhode Island.
But with his and Jake’s conversation interrupted, he intended on dodging any further ones until later this evening. “I want to check in on Allison first. I haven’t seen her yet. Tell Scott I’ll find him later.” He clapped his cousin on the shoulder. “If I don’t see you again tonight, I’ll see you at the wedding tomorrow.” He left the room and ducked into the hallway before anyone else stopped him.
Several minutes later, he entered the library and spotted his sister and her boyfriend, who held Kendrick, sitting with Addie.
Across the room, his cousin Sara spotted him and waved. He returned the gesture but continued toward his sister, who accepted their nephew from Rock before catching sight of him and shooting a smile in his direction. Before Derek could return the gesture, Allison looked toward their sister-in-law as Addie spoke. Although still too far away to hear what they discussed, the way they suddenly glanced at him as they spok
e made him think he was somehow the topic of their conversation. Something he didn’t want to be tonight.
“You didn’t tell me about the bachelor auction! And how in the world did Aunt Marilyn convince you to do it?” Allison asked before he could say hello to the small party. “What about Alec? Did she ask him too?”
It sounded as if she’d just learned about the upcoming fundraiser. He’d assumed she’d heard about it already from either a family member or the media. It wasn’t like it was some kind of secret or anything. As for not telling her himself, he didn’t even care to think about it, never mind talk about it. Rather than answer her right away, he clapped Rock on the shoulder. Although not the type of guy he’d imagined his sister ending up with, Rock loved Allison and made her happy. “How’ve you been?”
“Good. Trade these things in soon for a cane.” Rock touched the crutches leaning against the sofa. “You?”
