Page 111 of One Little Mistake
My man.
“Yeah, GG. Yeah, I think I am.”
“Hot damn,” Betty Anne hollers from the next room. “’Bout time. Let’s go get that hunka man candy.”
“Did you know Betty Anne was in there?” I grumble.
“Betty Anne’s my partner in crime, girly. Course I knew she was there. She missed the weddin’, she didn’t want to miss this, too.”
I stare from GG to her best friend with the blue-tinted hair and laugh. “Only in this freaking town.”
“Let’s go, let’s go. That Westbrook auction is starting at one. We can’t be late. I’ve saved all month for that man,” Betty Anne squeals.
“Betty Anne! He could be your grandson,” I admonish.
“I’m old, chica, not dead. Now let’s go.”
Peace washes over me as I take these two old biddies out to the truck. I’m going to get my man.
Lexi: I’m ready.
Chapter 42
Easton
Lexi: I’m ready.
“Holy shit.” My voice booms out over the crowd.
Fuck. I forgot I’m mic’ed up for this stupid auction. Okay, it’s not stupid. Colton is a crazy genius because Baker has never seen so many people at the Summerfest kick-off, but Christ. Lexi is ready. Wait, I hope that means what I want it to mean.
Easton: Does that
No!
“Preston,” I yell into the crowd, “my phone died. Give me yours.”
“East, this place is ready to revolt. You have to get the show on the road. Good luck. I’m headed to the kissing booth. Tell Halton to try not to look like he has to take a giant shit on stage, okay?” Colton slaps me on the back, then nudges me toward the front of the platform.
I don’t get stage fright, but I scan the crowd, searching for her. I can’t find her on my first or second pass over the people inching forward.
“You okay?” Halton mumbles, and I force myself to concentrate.
“Thank you all for coming today,” I address the crowd, but my heart is seeking its mate. “My family and I are so honored to be here, sponsoring Summerfest’s first annual Hollow Hearts fundraisers. We’re looking forward to expanding into Burke Hollow and working with you all to revitalize the town and bring forth the qualities that make it so special.
“Before we begin with the auction, your lovely mayor, John Baker, would like to address some concerns.”
A collective groan rings throughout the predominantly female crowd as Baker takes the stage.
“I have to find Lexi. If I’m not back by the time you’re done, just introduce Halton,” I whisper before handing him a microphone and the notecards Colton prepared for me.
“You got it, kid. Good luck,” he yells before turning to the impatient crowd.
I hear him speak, but I’m on a mission to find my wife and weave my way through the throngs of people.Where the hell are you, Locket?
There’s too many freaking people here, so I make my way to the outskirts of the audience and stalk the perimeter. Between her height and mine, it shouldn’t be this hard to find her. Just as I’m about to turn around, I spot her. Then I nearly knock over three people in my quest to reach her.
“Locket,” I sigh when she’s finally within reach.
