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Noelle laughed, stopped short, and then looked up at him with surprise. “Oh, you’re serious. Asher, don’t worry. I promise people will bid on you. And if for some crazy reason they don’t, I’m sure Willow will. That’s what best friends are for, right?”
“Right.”
The way things are with Willow right now, I’m not sure she’ll be doing me any favors.A ball formed in his chest.She didn’t really even look at me. “Thanks for the encouragement. I’ll do my best up there.”
Noelle grinned. “It’ll be great. Thank you for stepping in like this, it means a lot! I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
Asher nodded, walked back to where the other bachelors sat, and dropped into a chair. No one spoke. Nerves jangling, Asher planted his elbows on his knees, stretching out his arms in front, and dropped his head forward.
The minute the first guy was called, Asher’s heart began to slam hard in his chest. Clasping his fingers together, he cracked his knuckles.
Going out one by one, the other guys were called until it was only Asher left. Getting to his feet, he walked to the entrance of the stage and stepped out as soon as Noelle called his name.
A sea of faces greeted him. Trying to make them out, Asher squinted, but the sun seemed to shoot its rays directly at his eyes, making them all a blur. Turning to look straight at Noelle, she put one hand out toward him, the microphone in the other.
“And now, we have Asher Webb as our final bachelor.”
A dash of applause broke out, as well as a couple of whistles. Heat built in Asher’s face.
“As many of you will know, Asher helps run Camp Windy Lake alongside his parents.” Another smattering of applause, as well as one or two cheers. “Maybe you’re one of the guests at Camp Windy Lake, and you’ve noticed Asher walking around. Well, ladies, now is your chance!”
Cringing inwardly, Asher tried not to shift from foot to foot.
“He is hard working, with a steady business behind him. I think you’ll all agree, ladies, that Asher Webb is a great catch! And single, too!” More cheers ripped toward the stage. “After one date, who knows what might happen?”
Leaning toward him, Noelle put the microphone down to her side, her voice a low whisper. “You think I sold you well enough?”
Asher’s grin faltered.“Let’s see.”
Noelle squeezed his arm and stepped away. “He’s ready, and so am I, so shall we start the bidding?”
For a second, there was silence. Nausea rolled around in his belly, and he cleared his throat—just as someone shouted out their bid.
“Fifty dollars!”
Relief poured into him, making his shoulders drop as a genuine smile finally stretched across his face.
The worst hasn’t happened. Someone bid on me.
“Fifty dollars!” Noelle smiled widely, tipping her head toward him as a teasing note came into her voice. “Fifty dollars is a great opening bid, but I think Asher is worth way more than that! So far, the highest closing bid we’ve had has been fivehundreddollars. Do you think we can get more for him than that? I guarantee he’ll make it worth your while!”
The panic that had filled Asher only seconds ago suddenly reappeared with a vengeance as he swung his head sharply toward Noelle. Five hundred dollars?Catching his eye, she shrugged and then laughed, clearly enjoying herself.
Taking in a deep breath, Asher set his shoulders.
And I guess I can play around a little.Noelle’s having a good time, so why can’t I?
Someone else shouted out another bid; this time for seventy-five dollars.
Asher shrugged, smiled, and then unzipped his hoodie just a little bit, letting one eyebrow rise encouragingly. He hadn’t taken it off like Noelle had suggested and figured he could use it to his advantage now. A sudden roar of delight went up from the crowd as they realized what he was doing. Another bid of one hundred dollars came in, and Asher zipped down his hoodie just a little bit more. His face was burning, but his grin was spreading.
A bid of one hundred and fifty dollars had him unzipping it just a little more.
“You’ve got them hooked!” Noelle laughed, shaking her head before waving her hand at the crowd, encouraging the bidding. Every time it paused, Asher let his fingers play over his hoodie zipper until another bid came in.
Speaking out of the corner of his mouth, he turned around slowly and wiggled his butt, making the crowd scream with laughter.
She grinned at him, her eyes sparkling with laughter. “Keep going, Asher!” Taking in a deep breath, she gestured toward him, sweeping her hand from the top of his head down. “Only a few minutes left! If you haven’t made a bid, then why not think about it now? Asher is going to give you the best time, and don’t you want him all to yourself?” There was another howl from the crowd. “Do you think we can edge past five hundred dollars?”
