Page 19 of 21 Week Hiatus

“Come on, pucker up princess because you’re about to get some good ole fashioned smackeroonies.” Vee adds animatedly and I feel a surge of panic inside me. The last person to kiss me was Logan, and even though it may seem foolish because we broke up almost five months ago now, I want his lips to remain the last ones to kiss me. It’s silly, but I feel, if Iallow another man to kiss me, it will somehow erase him and that thought terrifies me.

“Vee, I’m not letting random strangers kiss me. I don’t need to remind you what happened the last time you two coerced me into kissing someone.” I grumble fixing the both of them with a pointed look.

“She's right, Vee,” Hannah agrees, and then her eyes light up. “Wait, I have an even better idea!” I let out an audible groan as Hannah’s mischievous expression becomes evident, and she starts bouncing on the balls of her feet with excitement. “The charity auction will start soon. Vee and I will both sign up too, so you can’t say no,” I groan inwardly, already anticipating where this is going. A date is definitely preferable to kissing a bunch of strangers, especially when it’s for a good cause. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Young Hearts Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising money for St. Bart’s Childrens Hospital and their new wing for cancer patients. The thought of helping sick children tugs at my heartstrings and I reluctantly agree to participate in the auction.

I raise my hands in defeat, “Alright, alright, I'll do the stupid auction. But just know, I'm only saying yes because it's for a good cause.” Vee and Hannah both let out excited squeals and tug my disinclined ass toward the stall to sign up for the auction. Hannah hands me the pen after she signs her name and I stare at it warily, chewing my lip while I reconsider my decision. “Wait, what if no one bids on me? God, that would be so humiliating.”

“Don’t be ridiculous Bitty, who wouldn’t want to bid on you, you’re fucking gorgeous.” I’m not convinced, and I know it reflects on my face, but I bite the bullet and reluctantly sign my name on the sign-up sheet.

It’s for the kids, Savi. Just think of the all the sick kids and the families this will help. You can do this.

I nervously pace back and forth behind the curtains, my heart racing in my chest as I wait for my turn. I'm the last one on the list, so I've been anxiously waiting for over thirty minutes. Vee went before Hannah and me, raising five-hundred dollars and winning a date with a handsome guy. Though, I got the vibe that they already know one another.

As Hannah is called up next, I am filled with admiration and amazement as she confidently struts across the stage, twirling and blowing kisses to the audience. Her efforts certainly paid off when she successfully raised a whopping seven hundred and fifty dollars. However, my jaw almost hits the floor in shock when I seeAndre, my junior Coordinator, approaching the stage as the winning bidder for her date. It's almost unbelievable. I mean, just call me cupid because did I predict this or what.

“All right guys,” the MC says, addressing the audience. “We have saved the best for last. Savannah West, a stunning twenty-one-year-old who is currently on the market and hoping to find her forever person.” My heart drops as I hear my name being announced. I'm going to murder Hannah when I see her. I try to calm my racing heart as the MC continues, “And get this, not only is Savannah a treat to the eyes, but she's also the event manager behind this entire organisation! Talk about talent! Let's give it up for Savannah West!” Oh boy, this is nerve-wracking.

As I step onto the stage, I can feel all eyes on me.

Oh, Lord, here we go...

“Dude, I’m genuinely surprised. I did not think this was your scene, not that I’m complaining becausedamnI feel right at home here.” My friend Jack remarks as he takes in his surroundings and smiles charmingly at a group of women standing less than a hundred feet away while sipping his bottle of Budweiser.

Much like him, my eyes scan the crowd, but my eyes are searching for one person in particular. A certain, five-foot-three blonde goddess who has captured my heart. I have no right to be here for the reason I am, I know. I chose to break up with Savi and told her to go and find the happiness she deserves with someone who can give her everything she wants, but if I’m being honest the last four months have been like hell for me. I knew it would be hard, but I figured eventually with time I would be able to move on. I’ve tried. I really fucking have, but it doesn’t matter what I do, or how much time has passed, I’m still crazy about her.

My heart and mind refuse to move on. She’s on my mind twenty-four-seven. I miss her like crazy. So, despite fighting with myself to leave her alone here I am at her event hoping to at least catch a glimpse of herand even if I can’t be there by her side, I’d like to at the very least support her from afar.

Knowing Savi, she's probably worrying and doubting herself instead of having confidence in her abilities, especially with this being her biggest event to manage independently so far. Though, I must admit I’m once again in awe of her. She has outdone herself with this event. She’s managed to transform Valentines Park into a romantic paradise, with twinkling lights and lanterns hanging in the trees. In the centre sits a large stage glowing with colorful lights where musicians are serenading the crowd as they sway along with the music. Food and drink trucks line the perimeter, the menus illuminated by string lights and there’s even a sleek cocktail station serving all the classic cocktails you can think of.

Right now, there's a charity auction happening where single women take turns coming on stage and interested men bid for a chance to have a date with them. The person with the highest bid wins the date and all the money raised will go towards funding a new cancer wing at St. Bart’s Childrens hospital. That has Savi’s name written all over it.

“All right guys.” While I’m admiring Savi’s production, I vaguely hear the young man up on the stage addressing the audience. “We have saved the best for last. Savannah West, a stunning twenty-one-year-old who is currently on the market and hoping to find her forever person.” My ears perk up at the mention of her name and my attention is immediately on the MC walking across the stage.

Did he just say Savannah West… as inmySavi is up next to be auctioned? There’s no way.

“And get this, not only is Savannah a treat to the eyes, but she's also the event manager behind this entire organisation! Talk about talent! Let's give it up for Savannah West!”

Oh yeah, he said Savannah all right.

The crowd cheer, whistle and applaud at a deafening volume as Savannah takes the stage. My heart rate spikes and my stomach ties itself into knots the moment I see her beautiful face. That face I have been longing to see since the moment I let her walk out of my life allthose months ago. Her cheeks flush with color, betraying her nerves under the intense spotlight. I'm too far back in the sea of people for her to notice me, especially with the blinding fluorescent lights beaming down on her.

“Savannah, before we start, me and everyone present today would like to take a moment to thank you for working so tirelessly to put together such an incredible event. Am I right?” the MC says turning to look out at the crowd who again cheer and applaud. Savi smiles and nods, humbly accepting the merit for all her hard work. The MC holds the microphone to her so she could speak, and I sense her nerves from halfway across the park.

I am fully engaged in Savi's graceful speech, as she expresses her gratitude to the audience for attending the event and to those who have contributed to the auction for raising funds for sick children in need of medical care. “...and none of this would have been possible without all of you and the support of my amazing team, so thank you all once more.”

“All right let’s get the auction started, shall we?” the MC says sliding his arm across Savi’s shoulders. My jaw clenches and I find myself glaring murderously at his arm. “I’m starting off the bid at one hundred dollars. Do I hear one-fifty?”

So many hands go up and that knot in my gut tautens. I’m not sure how I feel about Savi going out on a date with another guy. Actually, that’s a lie I do know how I feel… en-fucking-raged.

“Can anyone offer two-fifty?”

The bids keep rising and my neck vein starts throbbing.

“Seven-fifty going once... going twice...”

I can't take it anymore. At the next bid, my hand shoots up.

“Yowza! One thousand dollars!” The MC exclaims, and Savi stands there gaping. “Can anyone offer eleven hundred?”

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