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“Hey you.” An arm wrapped around her shoulders, and she turned to see Jessica.
Leila cleared her throat and pulled her gaze away from the show across the tent and gave Jessica what she hoped was a sincere smile as she tried to look like she was focusing on the clipboard in her hand. “Hey. I just got a last-minute donation from Barry. He donated a gold watch and some jewelry—a matching gold necklace with a diamond pendant and matching earrings.”
“That’s awesome and so generous.” Jessica glanced quickly at the new items on the table in front of Leila. “So, are you going to bid?”
Leila’s eyes went wide. That was laughable. She couldn’t afford the starting bid on the jewelry, and what would she do with something that fancy? “Yeah, no. I can’t afford that.”
“I’m not talking about the jewelry. I’m talking about what had your attention across the tent.” Jessica gestured with her head in Adler’s direction.
Leila glanced across the tent again, and she bit the inside of her cheek to hold back the emotion that threatened to spill from her eyes. He was so handsome. He had on jeans and his typical tight T-shirt. His back was facing them, and her eyes traveled from his tight glutes up his V-shaped back to his sculpted shoulders. Her fingers tingled as she thought of the warmth of his skin beneath her touch, and that familiar tingle started in her groin.Wake up, Leila.She shook her head hard.
“Maybe you should. You want to talk, and you can’t keep your eyes off him. It would force him to give you the time of day.” Jessica replied as she squeezed her arm tighter around Liela’s shoulder.
“He can’t be that upset about us. He ran back to her.” Her voice was quiet.
“I don’t think so. When you were talking with Barry, he was watching you.”
Leila’s head shot around to Jessica. Her eyes wide. “Seriously?”
Jessica nodded.
Leila bit her bottom lip. Maybe she should bid on his lessons. She had some apologizing to do anyway. It was her fault they weren’t together. Her gaze traveled across the tent as Adler and Desiree left. He was no longer touching her, and before they left, he turned casually, and their eyes met. His gaze was void ofemotion which ripped at her heart. Her stomach summersaulted as he walked away.
Leila spent the early afternoon working with Charlotte and Marge in the silent auction tent. People strolled in and out, often wandering around the tables and writing down their bids. Leila walked around, checking on how things were going. She was pleased at all the money items were already bringing in, and it was still early. The silent auction closed at five, right before the live auction started.
“Look who it is, Skylar.” Tom’s voice bellowed through the murmur of voices in the tent.
Leila turned and her face lit up when she saw Skylar. She took her from her father. “Hey, Sky.” She showered her daughter’s face with kisses.
Diane hurried up to them. “My gosh. I think I might spend our mortgage in this tent. There are so many great items.”
Tom wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side. “Yeah, I think I may need to keep you close. Our bank account is important, and we need to be able to afford that mortgage payment.”
“You’re right.” Diane kissed his cheek. “But did you see how much my hair salon’s gift certificate is already up to? That’s almost double what a cut and color would cost.”
Leila beamed. This day was already so successful for the pregnancy center.
“So,” continued Diane. “Think you can get a break and come eat something with us?”
Leila glanced around. It was quiet, and Charlotte had just gotten back from her break. She didn’t see why that would be a problem. “Sure. Let me go tell Mrs. Parks. Could you order me a cheeseburger and fries with a Sprite? I’ll be right there.”
Leila talked to Charlotte and passed her the clipboard, then wandered to the picnic tables. She wanted to eat in the sunshine. She’d been under the tent all morning.
She sat down on a picnic table with Skylar as she waited for her dad and Diane to join them. She glanced around the park. People were wandering everywhere. Many of the vendors had full tents of customers, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. She beamed. This was part her vision, and she loved seeing it come to fruition. Maybe event coordinating was something she should look more into.
Her stomach let out a low roar. “Dang. Did you hear that Sky?”
Skylar’s eyes grew larger, and she leaned away a little. She chuckled at Skylar’s expression.
Leila didn’t realize till now how hungry she was. She was starving. She’d been working hard all day and was so busy the day flew by. She hadn’t even had a snack today and hardly touched her eggs at breakfast. “I hope your grandad gets back soon. I could eat a whole house.”
She tickled Skylar’s side, and she giggled and tried to wiggle away. “I love you Skylar.” She said, laughing. Skylar started bouncing with joy, up and down. “Wow, what are you so excited about? Is grandpa coming back with our food?” Leila turned to tell her dad thank you and grab the tray of food from him but stopped suddenly, and her heart fell in her chest.
It wasn’t her father that caused the excitement Skylar just experienced. It was Adler. He stood close to the table. His large brown eyes caught hers and held on. Leila’s heart caught in her throat. Her breath stopped. What could she say to him? What should she do?
She did the only thing that came naturally and smiled. “Hey, Adler.”
He walked slowly over to them “Hi.” Skylar held on to the finger he held out and smiled her gummy smile. “You look just as beautiful as ever, little one.”
