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If only Geo knew the truth. I’m not scrutinizing Ronan out of judgment. And it’s not out of romantic interest either. It’s out of pure curiosity…well, that and to solve a little mystery of my own.
“Still betting on the busty blonde?” Geo asks as he places the bourbon on the tray. I glance over at the beautiful woman currently greeting Ronan with a simmering smile. There’s something about the way he’s giving her his attention tonight that’s making me think he’s about to go big. I can’t say how I know, but it’s just a feeling.
“One hundred percent,” I reply.
Geo chuckles to himself. “Are you willing to put your money where your mouth is?”
I furrow my brow at him. “Very funny. You know I don’t have any money.”
With that, I take the bourbon neat over to where Ronan is sitting. The blonde walks away just as I arrive.
“Evening, Mr. Kade,” I say sweetly, without making eye contact as I set his drink down in front of him.
“Thank you, Daisy,” he replies, using my name like he knows me, which he doesn’t.
Like every other night when I serve him his drinks, I let my eyes cascade over him for just a moment, noticing the gentle crow’s feet around his eyes and the salt-and-pepper coloration of his hair. Then I stare at his face, really taking in his expression. He seems a little less cordial tonight, his eyes fixed on the stage. He looks determined, as if he’s ready for the auction to start already.
When I return to the bar, I’m feeling a little more confident than before. “Okay…what are we playing for tonight?” I ask Geo.
He chuckles. “You sound confident.”
I glance back over at Ronan. He’s still staring at the stage. He’s definitely in the mood to win tonight. I bet he’s had a rough day at work and doesn’t want to bother with flirting or having to get a date the regular way, so he’s playing to win.
“Loser has to mop,” he replies, while wiping down the bar.
“That’s it?”
“Have something better in mind?”
“Winner gets to pick the bar tomorrow night, and the loser has to buy the first round.”
He screws up his face in anguish. “You’re going to pick the piano bar down the street, aren’t you?”
With one sweet smile from me, he has his answer. Geo immediately rolls his eyes. “Ugh, fine.”
I beam triumphantly, already looking forward to the cheesy Billy Joel covers.
Then, his expression shifts into something contemplative. After cleaning the glass in his hand, he shelves it and looks up at me. “Actually, I have a better deal.”
“Oh yeah? What is it?”
“Okay, if he wins the blonde, I’ll take you to that piano bar. But if he doesn’t pick the blonde, then I win, and you have to get up there.”
He nods toward the stage, and I spin around to see what he’s referring to. The auction is just about to start, but there aren’t any girls on stage yet. The crowd of bidders is growing, though, like it usually does on Thursday nights.
“What? On stage?”
“On the auction block, Daisy.”
My face falls. He’s not serious. “Me?”
“Yes, you.”
I lean over the bar to get closer to him. “Are you crazy, Geo? I’m not getting up there!”
“Why not, Miss Judgmental? I think it might be good for you to gain some perspective.”
“I’m not judgmental,” I argue. “I was just kidding. There’s no way I can get on that stage.”
