Page 64 of Best Friends for Never

“Five thousand.”

My head whips toward Parker, who is staring down at Leonard with sharp eyes and a face that saysTry me.

“You can’t do that,” he tells her, fuming.

“What? I can’t donate to a good cause?” she challenges.

“Yeah, can’t she donate too?” someone says.

“Let her bid!”

The volume kicks up, and everyone agrees that Parker should be allowed to play along with everyone else.

“But you ... you ...” Leonard stomps his foot. “Ugh! I’m out.”

Parker smiles victoriously. “Well, there you have it. Noel Carter, sold to the highest bidder—me.”

She bangs the gavel, making it official.

I was wrong. I’m not going on a date with Leonard. I’m going with Parker.

And damn if I haven’t been more excited for anything in my life.

Chapter Ten

Parker

This night is not at all turning out how I thought it would. I thought I would come in here, mingle with the guests while I avoided Noel, auction off the bachelors, then head home to comfort myself with a bottle of wine and fall asleep on my couch for the sixth time this week.

But no.

There was no avoiding Noel. He waltzed into the party looking ridiculously handsome—and completely overdressed—in a tux that clung to every inch of his body he clearly spends a lot of time working on. I knew right then that tonight would be my undoing.

A small part of me was relieved when he followed me into the stairwell. If we were going to talk about my little outburst last week, at least we’d be doing it behind closed doors.

I just didn’t expect to be doingitbehind closed doors too.

But he kissed me. He kissed me, and I was a goner—straight putty in his hands. I was wrong if I thought he was a good kisser at eighteen. It’s nothing compared to the way he kisses me now—like he owns me.

Then his touch drifted lower, and there was no way I could tell him to stop. I couldn’t have mustered the words if I tried. The way he touched me with such care and such need ... It was unlike anything I’d experienced before. I’ve made myself come plenty of times on my own,but nobody else ever has. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that Noel was my first. He always knew me best.

“Really, Parker? Five grand?”

I snap back to the present to find Noel grinning down at me as the audience goes wild.

I just bid on Noel.

And I won.

“Little steep, no?”

“It was for a good cause.” I shrug, trying to play it off like I bid only for the theater project and not because I couldn’t stand the thought of him going out with someone else, especially not Leonard Figgins.

Sure, I know it wouldn’t have been an actual date, and I have no doubt Leonard would have spent the entire evening badgering him with questions or trying to get a story out of him, but still, that wasn’t the real reason I bid.

I wanted Noel.

No.

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