Page 4 of Secret Baby Daddies
She waved Hunter off. “What’s this I hear about rich men?”
Hunter ignored my wide-eyed look. “Harley begged me to get her on the auction list at the club. I did it and it’s her turn this weekend but she’s already chickened out once, so I’m worried she’s going to do it again.”
Instead of looking scandalized, Susie hurriedly closed the gap between us and cupped my face in her hands. “Oh, honey. Am I not paying you enough? What do you need?”
“You know you pay me enough, Susie.” I pulled her hands away and hugged her. “I just have a few things I’d like to do and the extra money would help.”
Being reassured she wasn’t the reason I was struggling for money, she went back to being her happy self.
“All those rich men…I’d do a lot for a rich man. When they open that auction up to old ladies, sign me up.”
I grumbled unhappily. “I don’t need a rich asshole. I just need a little of their money.”
Hunter rolled her eyes. “Both of you stress me out. I worked last night and didn’t get to see Micah so I’m going to wake her up with flowers and see what kind of brownie points I can get. Mom, I love you. Be your own rich man. Harley, I love you. Woman up and show up at the auction.”
“Tell her I say hello.” Susie reached over and tapped me on the nose, redirecting her attention. “The auction will be good for you. I have a feeling.”
My face flushed. “Susie, I’m selling my body for money. Shouldn’t you be horrified?”
She put her hands on her hips. “Sex work is the oldest profession, young lady. There’s nothing wrong with what you’re doing. I happen to think you need the sex, too.”
Hunter, on her way out, stopped to cackle. “Too true.”
I hadn’t told them about my night of insanity. I’d been too embarrassed. “I need cake.”
“I brought you a slice. It’s in the fridge.” Hugging me tight, Susie reached up to pat my head. I was at least half a foot taller than her. “Maybe you’ll find your happy ever after.”
I snorted. “You’ve been reading romance novels again, haven’t you?”
She blushed. “The steamy scenes are so good!”
Of course, that started an entire morning of her telling me all about the best sex scenes she’d read and what all her romance book couples were up to. She kept me entertained while I built a few sample arrangements for a bride coming in the next morning.
“I think you’re going to do just fine this weekend.” Susie changed the subject abruptly, jerking my gaze up to hers. “You’re a tough cookie. I know you’re nervous but you’re going to go and you’re going to do great.”
I bit my lip to stop myself from giggling. Eventually I lost the battle though.
“You’re the best person ever. You know that?”
“Yep.” She hesitated. “I know how you are about rich guys but I think you need to be open. What if you meet the love of your life this weekend but you shut them down because of your…thing?”
“My thing?”
She took a deep breath. “I don’t know the full story about your dad but I know that every time a man comes in who looks wealthy, you get this look on your face like you just sucked on a lemon. I’m just saying that you should keep yourself open this weekend. Having a man with a little money wouldn’t be a bad thing. I mean…things are tough these days…”
My stomach dropped straight down to my feet. “Susie? I feel like you’re trying to say something that you’re not saying.”
She fiddled with the strings of her apron. “No, but the shop isn’t doing as well as it did once upon a time. I just don’t know how long I can keep it going.”
“Oh, Susie…” I dropped what I was doing and rushed around the table to pull her into a hug. My heart was racing with the selfish fear over what I’d do if she closed the shop but it also broke for her. The shop had been her life for over two decades. “Is there anything I can do?”
She rested her hand on my arm and sighed. “You do everything perfectly already, Harley. You have a way with the flowers. I’m not making any big decisions now. I just want you to be open to love this weekend. Even if you find rich men repulsive.”
I moved back around to my side of the table and gently ran my finger over a rose petal. “I’m not going to find love at the club where I’m auctioning off my body. I know this is going to sound…hypocritical? Judgmental? I don’t want to live off of some man who has the money and power to sweep me under the rug if and when he gets tired of me. I know I’m doing a version of it this weekend, taking their money after they use me…but I get to walk away.”
Susie just watched me for a few moments before looking away. “You’ll have to tell me the full story about your dad one day, honey. I don’t know what he did but I know it wasn’t good. Not all men like your father are like your father, though. Just remember that.”
CHAPTER 5
