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“You need to start a family. Thank God it’s not going to be with that dreadful Michael.”
There it was. An heir. My parents wanted the perfect Hallmark Christmas card, something else to brag about in social circles. I wanted to retort against her comment about my ex, but this time I couldn’t disagree with her.
Jackie was unable to keep from laughing. I gave her a nasty glare, turning around so I didn’t crack up. I loved my mom, but she was as old-fashioned as they came. “Mom. I gotta run. We’re being called to the stage.”
“Have fun, dear. Find a nice boy for a change.”
I ended the call and immediately pulled my phone against my forehead.
“Your mother is something else,” she said, still laughing.
“Then you take her. Why am I doing this?”
“Because you adore animals. You’ll help provide hundreds, thousands of meals and toys for the shelter. And you’ll save their poor, innocent lives just by suffering for a few hours with a nice boy that maybe you can marry and pop out children with.”
She backed away, knowing I was about ready to take a hard swing in her direction.
“Go ahead, lay it on thick. Using the animals as defense is no fair.” Granted, I’d selected the charity and they really needed the money. Donations had been down for over a year, more dogs and kitties dumped at their door. It burned me to think what might happen to them. “You’re right.” I powered down almost the entire glass, ready to paint on a plastic smile.
“Who knows. Maybe you’ll have fun.”
“As long as the guy doesn’t take me to McDonald’s.” I rolled my eyes. I’d also allowed Jackie to convince me to buy a sexy red dress for the occasion. I was a redhead and the color usually clashed but I had to admit, the slinky frock was gorgeous. Maybe too much so.
I glanced at the clock on the wall and grimaced. It was time for the big event to start.
“I guess I should take my seat. Who knows. Maybe I’ll bid on one of the hot guys.”
Huffing, I threw her a look. “Like you have the money.”
“You don’t know all my secrets.”
“You forget, ladybug. Yes, I do.”
“Where are you going?” she asked when I made a beeline away from her.
“I definitely need another drink.”
Her laugh followed me as I walked toward the bar. The other girls were headed toward the staging area, eager for the event to begin. I had bad feelings about it. When the bartender gave me a onceover, his white teeth flashing, I almost took out my anger toward Lachlan on him.
Why did I have to race out of the room with my tail between my legs? That wasn’t my personality.
Because you really like him.
Like hell I did. Never.
But the man could kiss. I’d give him that. And his touch was scintillating. And his cologne was intoxicating. Geez.
As the bartender poured another glass, another ugly thought slipped into my mind.
I’d enjoyed the night with Lachlan.
God help me.
* * *
Lachlan
“You’re really going through with this auction?” Grant asked, taunting me from the other end of the phone call.
