Page 36 of The Boyfriend Effect (Frisky Business 1)
“I’d laugh, but let’s be real. You’d never leave Riverside.”
Surprised, I blink. “Why do you say that?”
“You did all of this. You spent the last month working your ass off to, what, quit and move on to something else?” he murmurs, releasing my hand to cup my cheek. Our feet stop moving, our eyes dancing as we gaze at each other. “That’s why you’re special. Work has never been about money to you. It’s always been about how much you care, dove.”
When I’m speechless, Hayes smirks and goes back to swaying with me in his arms.
How is it that every time I try to have a light, casual moment with Hayes, it always turns into this? This smoldering, heart-on-fire, can’t-catch-a-breath feeling?
“You know me pretty well, don’t you, Hayes Ellison?” I whisper, searching his eyes for some sort of sign, some clue that I’m not imagining this all-consuming fire between us.
“I pay attention, Maren Cox.” His thumb caresses my cheek, his eyes fixed on my lips.
Please kiss me. Please kiss me.
“Hayes—”
“Maren!” calls a female voice from behind me.
I swallow my words, turning around to see Peggy waddling toward us, waving a legal pad in the air.
“Maren,” she says, panting, “I’ve been looking for you.”
“What’s wrong?” I ask, trying my best to ignore the sensation of my date’s fingers, still pressed against the silk of my gown.
“Nothing is wrong.” She beams, her teary eyes threatening to spill onto her rouged cheeks. “I’ve just tallied up the final list. It’s a miracle. Look!”
The paper she’s showing me is the list of highest bidders. I follow her finger down the length of the page, landing on the final auction item: 2016 World Series Cubs v. Indians Memorabilia. A familiar name is scrawled next to a number with far more zeros than I think I’ve ever seen outside of an episode of Mad Men.
“Gene and Miriam Westwood . . . sixty thousand dollars?” I gasp, the music and chattering of the room only white noise to the beat of my hammering heart.
“I was wondering if you’d like to do the honors of rewarding the highest bidders, my dear,” Peggy says, reaching out to squeeze my hand. “You deserve it. The stage is yours.”
Glancing back at Hayes and his encouraging eyes is enough to solidify the truth I’ve been praying for. Riverside is saved.
“I would love nothing more.”After the last guests have said their good-byes and left for the evening, Hayes and I stick around to clean up whatever we can.
I’m on garbage patrol, limping around with sore feet and a giant garbage bag, tossing the debris of the evening inside. Hayes, meanwhile, helps a handful of volunteers disassemble the stage and carry the tables to the storage closet. He stripped off his tuxedo jacket when we began to help, and it’s impossible not to stare at that muscled back. A low tingle in my belly reminds me what else the night has in store for me.
We stop by the car to pick up my tote bag, which contains pajamas for me, my toothbrush, and an extra I picked up for Hayes earlier this week. Leaning against the car in the cool night air, I toss my creepy donor-stalking binder into the back seat. When I reach for the bag again, Hayes intercepts me.
“I’ve got it.”
“You know, you don’t have to do the whole gentleman act still,” I say before leaning in to whisper, “I think the fancy part of the evening is over.”
“Oh, in that case—”
Hayes swings my bag around and around, threatening to dump all of its contents onto the parking lot.
“No, Hayes!” I laugh, reaching for him. “Okay, okay, five more minutes of gentlemanly behavior, and then you’re free to be a savage.”
Hayes sighs dramatically, muttering that five minutes is too long. He straightens his shoulders, threading one arm through the loops of my bag before offering me the other to lean on. Smirking, I wrap my hand around his firm bicep and shuffle alongside him toward the hotel.
It only takes minutes to sign in and get our room key. In the elevator, I lean against the wall, a small smile on my lips at how well tonight’s event went. Hayes leans against the opposite wall, watching me.
“How do you feel?” he asks, his voice so tender it should be illegal.
“Exhausted.” I sigh, cocking my head to the side to give him a tired smile. “Happy. Free.”
“Free?”
“It’s like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders,” I murmur, closing my eyes. “It’s like I’ve been underwater this whole month, and now I can finally breathe again.”
When I open my eyes, Hayes is looking at his wristwatch.
“I’m sorry,” I say with a huff. “Am I boring you?”
“Not at all.” He smirks, but his eyes stay locked on the silver accessory.
“Then what are you waiting for?” I ask, rolling my eyes.
