Page 44 of Just A Little Magic

In my fantasy room, I would have a dark academia vibe with dark greens and black with brass accents, folklore fairies and gnomes, and dark furniture. There would be an adult-size crib, a changing table, and a soft faux-fur rug for me to play on. Naturally, there’d be a double-size rocking chair big enough for two adults for, you know, reasons. The night sky would be painted on the ceiling. It wasn’t a typical nursery with bright colors, but it was what I loved. I might be forced to play alone, but there was no harm in dreaming.

Within a few days of our mountain whatever that was, the soreness of my body dissipated to nothing. The more it faded, the sadder I became over losing the tangible connection to Barrett.

I sometimes dreamed I was back in the caretaker’s room with Barrett as my Da. But when I fully woke, I’d realized I was still alone. Elizabeth was always there with me, though, which helped. In hindsight, being with him that one time made this all worse. Now, I knew exactly what I was missing. Ignorance had been bliss.

“Hey, Owen, they’re calling everyone for the auction,” one of the banquet staff said when they popped their head intothe office.

“Thanks, I’m on my way.”

I tucked my board into the filing cabinet drawer reserved for me in Barrett’s office. Silly, maybe, but being in his space allowed me to pretend we were together. His woodsy cologne hung in the air, and I felt cocooned. When I got chilly, and I always did, I’d borrow his jacket so his scent would stay with me for hours.

I wound my way through the back hallways of the club until I found myself in the Rumpus Room reception area. As always, we had cookie decorating and a coloring station with appropriately themed pages. This time, we’d also set up a craft station where people could take photo booth pictures and create a frame for them. Judging by the mess, it was a big hit. For the middles, we’d added a video game console area where they could take turns competing in racing and skill games.

The charity chosen for the fundraiser was the preservation of historic neighborhoods around the city. Gabe was heavily involved in the organization so he was serving as emcee. Rory was at a table off to the side, along with Jakob and his Papa. All three of them were cheering and clapping for all the auction items. Their enthusiasm was sweet and wholly expected.

Naturally, Barrett sat next to the only empty seat. I knew I was expected to join the table, and I would, but this was the exact scenario I tried to avoid at all costs. If I was humiliated by no bidders on my vanilla offering, the last person I wanted to witness my embarrassment was Barrett. Ironically, he was also the only one I would want comforting me.

I made my way around the tables and said hello to the people I recognized, as well as the staff, and finally reached the table where Barrett had saved a chair for me. I wanted to reach out and touch him. I desperately wanted to confess that I had no desire to date anyone but him. My creation of these blurred lines had bit me in my own ass.

“All right, everyone, what we have up next is a pretty fantastic date with our very own Owen Howe,” Gabe said from the stage. “His auction item is design and a date. You’ll get a wonderful companion along with a consultation. For those who don’t know, Owen is the genius designer behind all the parties we have here. Every single one is absolutely gorgeous. Anyone lucky enough to get a consult with him will end up with an amazing space. I’m also happy to say this is one of our biggest items—both in number of bids and amount raised.”

While thrilled by his words, I wanted to curl up and die at the idea that an entire room watched me while Gabe spoke. Everyone at the table looked my way, too, and hooted and hollered the loudest in the room. That was never what I wanted.

Some people wanted the spotlight, but I much preferred the shadows. As a designer, my goal was never to be the star attraction. Designing without the added pressure of selling myself was why I loved being at Barrett’s firm. I fully intended to stay there forever.

Gabe was trying to give me kudos, but I still wanted to crawl under the table. Barrett’s fingers found mine under the cloth, and immediately, my nerves settled, as did my bouncing knees. The warmth of his touch and grasp of my fingers felt like a lifeline.

The hardest part was I knew everything would be okay because Barrett’s touch soothed me instantly. I loved it and hated it. His fingers entwined with mine, and it only made me want to snuggle into his arms and never let anyone but him near me again.

“Friends, the winning bid for Owen’s design date is none other than our own Barrett Strega! Please join me in a round of applause for his generous donation. I have no doubt he will put it to good use. Congratulations, Barrett and Owen.”

“Why did you bid on me?” I hissed at Barrett.

“Easy, I wanted one of your designs.”

“You literally own my designs.”

“Only for the company. Your private clients are yours without restriction, and that’s what I want.”

“Barrett, if you want a consult, tell me, and I’ll do it. You don’t have to bid for me. That is best-friend stuff you do for free because you love them.”

Barrett’s expression turned thoughtful. “You still love me?”

“That’s a ridiculous question.”

“It’s an unanswered question.”

“Yes.”

“In that case, it’s not a discussion we can have here. This is absolutely not the time or the place for it. Do you really want to stay?” Barrett asked.

As the club owner, I knew he was expected to stay. Hell, as an auction participant, I was supposed to be there too. But the last place I wanted to be was surrounded by littles cuddled up to their Daddies when I didn’t have the option of doing the same. No, I didn’t want to stay.

“Let’s go.” Barrett grabbed my hand and tugged me out of my chair with a wave to Jakob and Rory, who looked on with surprise. Barrett shook Reed’s hand. “Sorry, guys, I’m suddenly not feeling well. We’re leaving.”

Without another word, Barrett tugged me away from the table and pulled me down the hallway with my hand still in his. Before I registered what was happening, we were on the sidewalk with dark clouds threatening rain at any moment.

“Where are we going?”

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