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“You got me there.”
He looks back toward my date. “So... is this you giving up, then?” He seems pretty annoyed that I came here with someone else.
I laugh. “Hellno. I told you, she’s it for me. I’m just giving her space to figure that out for herself.”
He purses his lips and nods slowly. “I see. You’re trying to expedite the process with jealousy. Bring around a bunny so you can woo my sister. Makes perfect sense.”
I mean, when you put it that way . . .
“You’re a fucking idiot,” he says before walking off.
He’s not wrong.
* * *
Sitting through dinner is a master class in patience. I have to sit with the team and Nikki. Dinner is excellent. I haven’t had a good home meal since Bridget lived with me. Even my stomach misses her. Though, I’d probably be enjoying this steak more if she was sitting next to me. Though my appetite isn’t very present tonight.
As fate would have it, our tables are next to each other. She’s in my line of sight and it’s hard to keep my eyes off her. She looks incredible. In the middle of my gawking, Nate whispers something to her. Whatever it was, she wasn’t into it. I cock my head and narrow my eyes. I know we’re playing this little tit for tat, but seeing her next to him is bad for my blood pressure. He can play pretend all he wants, but his date is going home with me.
Dinner wraps up and the auction begins. We have a few Lakes player items like private lessons, player-led tours of the arena, dinner with the team, season tickets, game packages, etc. Obviously, those don’t need my bids, but when they begin auctioning a trip to the Maldives, the five-night stay on a private island in a romantic water villa for two perks up my ears. I start at seven grand, and Nate jumps in with eight. I respond with sixteen.Fuck all the way off.I’m sure he imagines taking Bridget there, he’s probably envisioning how sexy she’ll look swimming through crystal-clear azure waters. And she absolutely will. I’ll be sure to send him a postcard.
I lean back in my chair while my fingers trace lazy figure eights on the tablecloth. The price continues to climb, it’s for a good cause. Somehow Nikki seems to think my bidding has something to do with her. She’s finding more reasons to touch me; lean her head on my shoulder, whisper something in my ear, intertwine our fingers. Everything I specifically asked hernotto do. I forgot how flirtatious she is with a glass of champagne in hand.
When I bid twenty-five thousand, Nikki slides her fingers into my hair and presses a kiss to my neck. Anger flashes on my face and she quickly pulls away, but it’s too late. When I peer at Bridget, the hurt on her face tells me the damage is already done.Damn it.Between bids, I unlock my phone and order a rideshare for my date. I win the auction at the bargain price of forty-two thousand dollars, but after Nikki’s little stunt, it may have cost me much more.
After the clapping dies down and the band strikes up, I escort her down the hallway.
“Are you taking me to the Maldives?”
“No, I’m taking you to your Uber.”
“What, why?”
“I told you when I got here, not to put your hands on me. We are not a thing. You knew the deal.”
She picks up her pace alongside me and whines that I’m not fun anymore.
“This was a mistake,” I mutter to myself.
Pushing open the heavy doors, I’m relieved to see the waiting car. Like a gentleman, I help her in, confirm her home address with the driver, give him a cash tip, and send her on her way.
Good riddance. What was I thinking bringing her here? She was rude all night, constantly cutting down other guests and playing fashion police.Did I really used to put my dick in her?Doesn’t matter, she’s gone. I need to find the woman I came here for.
* * *
Climbing the shallow outdoor steps to return to the ballroom, I hear the band playing inside. I know this song. The memory of it is so fresh in my mind. This is what played in the background when I made love to Bridget. My fingers threaded in her hair, our bodies completely in sync. I’ll never forget that desperate look in her eyes. The zap as our gazes met—it was as if the significance of that moment had sealed our fate. At that moment, I knew I would never love another like I love her.
I reach the entrance doors the same time Bridget is hurrying out. Head down, she runs right into me. God, she’s even more gorgeous up close. She immediately apologizes, but when she looks up and sees it’s me, her face freezes. Her eyes are glassy. It’s like déjà vu. Same song. Same big eyes. Same love.
“Bridg.” There’s so much I want to say.
She plasters on a fake smile. “Good seeing you. Have a nice night.”
“Where are you going?”
She tries to rush past me, but I grab her elbow.
The smile on her face turns sad. “Why her? Of all people?”
