Page 53 of Checking Mr. Wrong
Asher steps away from the group, leaning in just close enough so only I can hear him. “You forgot to tell me to sayethics,” he teases, his voice low and warm. Then, as if this whole evening isn’t ridiculous enough, he glances down at me, winks, and mouths,Bid on me.
Before I can think of a comeback, or maybe a way to wipe that smug grin off his face, he straightens up and saunters off, leaving me standing there, phone still in hand, mouth slightly open.
The lights dim slightly, and the buzz of conversation dies down as Ashlyn, acting as auctioneer, steps to the podium. The bachelor auction has officially begun, and the energy in the room hums with anticipation. Unfortunately, my table is no exception.
“Oh, he’s such a charmer,” my mother gushes, her eyes fixed on the first bachelor being introduced. Her book club friends nod enthusiastically, whispering and giggling liketeenagers at a boy-band concert. “Are you going to bid on him?”
“I meant it when I said I couldn't." And I do. “It’s a conflict of interest.” Never mind I made out with one of the bachelors who will take the stage at some point tonight. These are things she doesn’t need to know.
I take a slow sip of my sparkling water, trying to tune them out, but when Suzette leans over and starts speculating on the size of the guy’s biceps, I decide it’s time to bail.
“I’ll be right back,” I mumble, grabbing my clutch. My mother barely notices.
I weave through the crowd, finding sanctuary by the cupcake table at the back of the room where Neesha stands, her arms crossed as she surveys the proceedings with an amused grin.
“Couldn’t handle the thirst-fest?” she asks.
“Not for another second,” I reply, tossing my clutch on her table. “I love my mom, but her friends are a lot.”
Before Neesha can respond, Fiona appears beside us, her face glowing with excitement. She leans in conspiratorially, glancing around like she’s about to deliver state secrets.
“Hey, remember when you texted me the picture of that bird?” she whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of the auctioneer introducing the next bachelor.
I cast my mind back to Maple Fest, the day I spotted the elusive Blue Rock Thrush myself. “Of course. I mean, I wasn’t sure if it could help, but…”
“Oh, it did,” Fiona says, fighting to keep her voice calm. “I double-checked. It’s still on the endangered list.”
Neesha claps her hands together, her smile widening. “Oh my gosh, you guys, does that mean you might have an answer for this whole MacDonald land-grab situation?”
“I don’t know.” I pause, thinking it through. “I guess we’ll have to get in touch with Washington Fish and Wildlife,” I say slowly. “Find out where it nests, what we’re supposed to do next.”
“Do you really think we may be able to get some of the land protected?” Fiona asks no one as the three of us grab hands, squeezing tightly as we stifle squeals of excitement. It’s a quiet but fierce moment of victory, one that feels as sweet as the frosting on one of Neesha’s cupcakes—if not sweeter.
The sudden burst of cheering from the corner draws my attention. A group of young women, decked out in head-to-toe Seattle chic, are hooting and hollering like they’re at a concert.
“Oh, them,” Neesha mutters, following my gaze. She rolls her eyes so hard I’m actually concerned they’ll get stuck. “Just a bunch of girls from Seattle. Total pain in my butt.”
Fiona shakes her head. “Ever since they arrived, they’ve acted like they own the place. They actually scream over everything, even taking selfies. It’s exhausting.”
The group erupts again as the current bachelor on stage flexes his arms. They’re practically falling over each other in a competition to see who can scream the loudest.
I watch them before sighing and turn back to my friends. “Not my monkeys, not my circus. Ladies, I think I’m just going to head?—”
“Next up,” Ashlyn announces, “we have our sugary-sweet Canadian bachelor, Asher Tremblay!”
I freeze mid-sentence as the name echoes through the room. Fiona nudges me with her elbow.
“Oh, pass me some popcorn,” Neesha murmurs, smirking my way.
I turn toward the stage, just in time to see Asher step into the spotlight. His easy smile and confident stride draw a wave of cheers, louder than anything that’s come before. And then, his eyes lock on mine and I hate that it makes my pulse race for all the wrong reasons.
I shake my head, crossing my arms as I try to fight the heat creeping up my neck. Is there a part of me wishing I could bid on him tonight? Yes, there really is, however not on my salary. I’m also still unsure about the return on investment, as well.
“Maybe I don’t want to stick around and watch the man I kissed the other day go out on a date with someone else,” I mutter under my breath.
Fiona’s head whips toward me, her eyebrows shooting up. “Why aren’t you bidding on him?”
“Because I’m not going to bid on a guy,” I reply, exasperated. “Shouldn’t I be the prize here? And anyway, if I brought him home, my mom would probably faint from excitement.”
