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He knows me too well.
Dazed and taking extra care not to trip over my dress, I take the steps onto the stage, unable to see the crowd anymore. The lights are blinding. Nora kisses me on each cheek, and I pinch her arm for good measure.
“You’re evil,” I say, never breaking my smile.
“All for a good cause, dear.”
A good cause, my ass. She’s taking pleasure in this.
She rattles off a spiel like I’m at a cattle mart. The lights dim and I wish they’d stayed on because I’m being ogled like a heifer, too. With the city skyline as our backdrop, it’s the most beautiful cattle mart I’ve ever seen.
“Ladies and gentlemen, our finest item of the night, and we’ll start the bid at one thousand dollars.”
I can’t help it when my mouth falls open.
“Nora,” I whisper-yell. “No one—”
“One thousand to the gentleman in the back.”
What?
Rearing back, I scan the crowd, but another hand rises before I can see who made the first offer.
She really should have warned people that my dancing skills aren’t worth this much. I’ve got two left feet.
“Two thousand.”
Another hand goes up to the left of the room.
Interesting.
He’s attractive.
But I don’t want to dance with anybody because the only man I want to dance with is standing with his hands in his pockets, enjoying the show while I hyperventilate.
The further the numbers go, and more hands rise in the air, the more I’m beginning to sweat, but my stupid smile never falters. And I’m about to do exactly what Jake told me not to do.
I hold my hand over my mouth, acting shocked at the amount of money someone will pay for me to step on their toes.
I am shocked, but I’m also biting the flesh of my palm, so I don’t break into hysterical laughter.
“Ten thousand. Going once.”
It’s the sweaty man, and I can’t even look to Alex or Jake for help because who in their right mind pays that much money for a dance?
“Going twice.”
I’m going to be sick.
My eyes land on Jake. I don’t expect him to help, but I know just looking at him will calm my trembling hands.
Our stare locks, and with a slow wink, I melt all the way to my feet.
“Thirty thousand.”
There’s a collective gasp, but mine is the loudest. Hushed whispers follow, and I’m pretty sure I’ve become the envy of every woman here.
I couldn’t care less.
