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Wait, what? Who the hell is DJM? I don’t recognize the company name from previous years.
“If a representative from DJM could make their way to the auction table at the back of the room, we can arrange for you to receive your prize.” The woman winks at me, and I release an uneasy laugh. My overwhelming emotion is relief. I may not know who DJM is, but I know who they aren’t. If Chantelle was the winner, she would have wanted everyone to hear her name announced.
“Thank you to all our bidders tonight and thank you to Mr. Carlson.”
I nod in the direction of the organizer, wave to the audience, and exit the stage quickly. The woman barely takes a breath before moving on with her announcements. “The next silent auction prize is a week-long stay in the Bahamas at the …”
I stop listening when I arrive back at the table. I’m more interested in gloating to Logan than rushing off to find out who won me. Honestly, it sounds like a company wanting to book me as a guest speaker for some business function. It’s happened in the past.
Now, that would be the perfect result.
Dana holds out a glass of whiskey to me, and when I thank her, she quickly looks away. Maybe our earlier close dance has made things awkward between us.
I shake it off, turning my attention to Logan instead. “Well, that wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. And I broke your record, which makes me king of the silent auction.” I grin like a clown, knowing that will piss him off even more. We’ve had to put up with him making that claim all year, and payback feels sweet.
Still grinning, I look down at Dana, but instead of her laughing along like she normally would, she seems more intent on twisting the corner of her linen napkin into a point.
I would have expected a little more enthusiasm over my win.
Chapter nine
Dana
“Damn,” was all I heard from Allie when the winner of the date with Jason was announced. And my suspicion that my friends were the other bidders in the silent auction was confirmed when Katie mouthed across the table, “Sorry, hun, we tried.”
It was sweet of them to try to help bring Jason and me together. But what they didn’t count on was my determination to help myself. Step two of my putting-myself-out-there plan done. So why, then, am I panicking? I won a date with Jason like I wanted. A trickle of sweat runs down my cleavage, and I quickly dab it away with my napkin.
Jason appears beside my chair, his hand resting on the back of it near my bare shoulder, and goose bumps skitter across my damp skin. All I can manage to do is hold out the whiskey I ordered for him.
For the second time tonight, I have to tell myself, there’s no turning back. It had seemed like a good idea, bidding on Jase in the auction, but I should have known that any plan hatched lying on my bed in the dark after a few drinks was bound to end badly. Especially when I’d come home from a late after-work dinner with Jase—not unusual and always fun.
I twist the napkin between my finger and thumb, worrying what his reaction will be when he finds out. I guess I could pretend it was a joke. No, that doesn’t feel right.
I’m so caught up with the conversation in my head I don’t even hear what he just said.
Lucky for me, Logan has plenty to say. “I see you can’t wait to brag about beating me,” he jokes.
“No, just wanting to remind you that you lost our bet. I assume you will be transferring your donation through soon.”
Logan’s only response is to chuckle. He’s never going to mind donating, and like all the Carlsons, he is happy to share his wealth with the charity. I knew about their side bet, which is why I bid that bit higher.
“Who’s DJM?” Allie asks.
Jason shakes his head. “Don’t know, but at least it’s not Chantelle.”
“Dodged a bullet there,” Hunter chimes in.
Jason smiles back. “I guess I should go find out.” He places his glass back on the table, then leans down and says, “I won’t be long.”
He’s been more attentive tonight than some dates I’ve had in the past. I hope I haven’t blown everything with the auction. “Wait.” I stand up on shaky legs. “I can come with you.”
His eyes search mine, and I hope he can’t see the shadow of concern hovering in their depths. I duck my head, letting my hair fall forward as he waits for me to lead the way. The light touch of his hand on the small of my back is not helping to calm my nerves.
When we’re far enough away from the table, he draws me closer with his hand on my hip. “You know you didn’t have to come with me, but I’m glad you did.”
Surprised by his admission, I stop and place my hand in the center of his chest. “What, you mean the big, tough Jason Carlson has lost his confident swagger?” It’s like his acknowledgment of being less than his usual cocky self has bolstered my confidence.
He laughs at my words. “Between you and me, I’m a little bit worried that the winner is going to be another Chantelle.”
