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"Well, thank you, Smarty, for believing in me. And I'm sorry that your daddy left."
She smiles at me before she focuses her attention back on the podium. My mind is racing a thousand miles per hour, trying to figure out how a father could leave his flesh and blood.
I watch as Alisha takes over from Amanda, and when she calls out Emma's name, I look at the podium. She enters the stage, and my breath halts. She's stunning, but it's clear she is uncomfortable by the way she's biting her lip.
"Okay, gentleman. Let's start the bid at five hundred dollars for a date with the gorgeous and talented Emma," Alisha says.
"Oh, Mommy looks pretty. Don't you think Giant?" Charlotte asks me, but I'm pondering over another question.
Where is the fiery woman that called me an arrogant, insensitive jerk?
Emma’s eyes sail our way, and when they fall on Charlotte, they beam, and when her green irises penetrate mine, my body goes haywire under her gaze. I can't control its response. My pants have become uncomfortable. A hand shaking my arm pulls me out of the trance.
"What's wrong, Smarty?" I say, breaking eye contact with Emma and bringing them to meet Charlotte’s, whose eyes swarm with tears.
"The man that's bidding on my mom has a weird smile."
Right away, I focus on what Alisha is saying.
"Okay, we have seven hundred dollars from the gentlemen in the middle, but come on, guys. Do I need to remind you that the money will help sick children?"
The bidding goes up to a thousand dollars.
Who's bidding? My chest tightens when my eyes land on George Waltman. He's an older, successful advocate with a weakness for young, beautiful women. I pinch the skin of my throat at the thought of him taking Emma out.
"Giant, please, you need to stop that man from bidding on my mom." Charlotte's lower lip trembles.
Shit.
I stare at the podium, where Emma is fiddling with her dress. It seems she's close to running off stage. What should I do? I sit up straight when Alisha speaks.
"Okay, we have five thousand dollars going once... going twice..."
"Ten thousand dollars."
"Okay, ten thousand dollars for a date with the lovely Emma goes to Number one-one-one," Alisha says as she slams the hammer. When I glance sideways, Charlotte is staring at me with an open mouth.
"Giant! You bid on my mommy!"
