Page 63 of An Irresistible Force (Vancouver Vice)

“Your friend is not very friendly,” was all she said before she began introducing me around.

Amanda had arranged our table seating, and I was happy to see that I knew most of the people there. She put Jes and Dori on one side of me, Greg and his girlfriend were there with some friends, as well as Cynthia and James from the Vice game. This whole evening was turning out to be a lot more fun than I had expected. I kept glancing at Amanda too. Not only did she look beautiful, but she was also completely relaxed. It was so easy to be out with her.

Dori noticed me staring. “I like her,” she whispered. “Finally, you’re dating someone nice.”

I shook my head. “We’re not dating— we’re just friends.”

She raised a thin eyebrow. “Really? Not what it looks like.”

I ate my tiny, complicated appetizer in one bite and wondered about that. Amanda was turned towards Greg, who was telling a funny story. Her hair was up and exposed a smooth expanse of her neck and back. I had an urge to run my tongue down her spine, but I settled for resting my hand on the back of her chair. She sensed that and turned to look at me.

“Having fun?” Amanda asked.

I nodded, and she smiled. “I’m glad.”

After a good dinner, the auction began. Oddly, I felt a little nervous. What if nobody bid on my prize? Would Jeannie and Amanda regret having me involved? For some reason, it suddenly felt important that my donation was impressive.

I had bid on a few items in the silent auction—including a local children’s entertainer who I thought would be great for the Mansion. Even if I didn’t win, I had her card. Although Noah would hate it. He was more into rap music than songs about sea creatures.

However, the live auction was for the heavy hitters. Jes agreed. He muttered to me, “Jesus. These people drop thousands without blinking an eyelash.”

“I remember you making me spend that much on a rookie dinner,” I replied.

“Last time you spent that much on dinner. I can’t believe how much money you have, and you’re still so cheap.”

“I’m not cheap, I’m selective. I only spend my money on important things.”

He nodded. “Which is nothing. The Bank of Luczak cannot be penetrated.”

I shoved his arm, and Dori gave us a warning look. No horsing around at a nice event.

“And now we have a fantastic experience—offered here for the first time ever. An exclusive hockey package for two teams to play on the ice at PacTel Arena, complete with spotlights and scoreboard. So this is the prize if you want to be the hero of your beer league team, OR if you want to give your child’s team the chance to experience an NHL facility. But not only do you get ice rental, but the most spectacular part of this prize is that your teams will be coached by two former Millionaire captains—Christopher “Lucky” Luczak and Jesper Larson! With NHL level coaching at an NHL arena, this event will certainly be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the lucky bidder who wins it.”

The auctioneer made my prize offering sound like a BFD, but it wasn’t really that much. The Millionaires promotion department was taking care of everything, and all I had to do was show up and pretend to coach. And beat Jes’s team, of course.

The auctioneer continued. “The ice rental alone for a package like this is worth at least $5,000, but you’re also getting a chance to be on the ice with two of the city’s greatest athletes. So, let’s begin the bidding at $10,000.”

Ten thousand? To spend a couple of hours with me? Who was going to pay that? I felt a huge sense of relief when James held up his paddle. Good man. A few other guys were bidding, and the prize went up to a respectable $12K. I let out a breath and relaxed into my chair. Amanda glanced over and smiled at me. Just when the bids seemed to be petering out, a familiar voice called out, “$12,500.”

Shit. It was Julie. I had no idea who she was bidding for. Her husband didn’t play hockey, but maybe they had a kid who did. But what I did know was that this was exactly the kind of event she’d use to weasel her way back into my life. Calling me to make arrangements, suggesting “lunches” that she would try to turn into something more. Fuck.

The bidding continued between Julie and an older man, going up by hundreds at a time.

She seemed very determined, and I swallowed. This was ridiculous. I was a grown man now, and I could handle even someone as manipulative as her. Still, I felt myself breaking into an actual sweat. I stuck a finger into my collar and pulled out my bow tie.

Amanda was watching me. “Is something wrong?”

“Uhhh.” I hesitated, then confessed. “I’d rather not spend a lot of time with Julie. But, heck, it’s for charity, right?”

A frown passed over Amanda’s face. I saw the older man shook his head at the latest bid. Shit.

“Going once, at $15,000. Going twice—”

Amanda sat up straight and raised her auction paddle. Her clear, low voice rang out, “$25,000.”

There was an excited murmur in the room after that bid.

“Jesus, Amanda. What are you doing?” I hissed at her. I knew she was rich, but how could she drop this much money on an auction item? And as far as I knew, she didn’t even skate.

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