Page 13 of Eggnog and Edging
“And then, Molly.” She moves her finger down. “You helped make sure she was included, just like you made sure I was. Now we’re going to return the favor.”
We give her a second, then I say, “Dating’s a crapshoot, Bellamie. You don’t even know if Krampus will show up on Sunday.”
“Or why he won’t tell you his name.” Jolene steps toward the door.
Bellamie’s shoulders slump.
I give her a hug. “Ready to give the auction a chance?”
“Yes,” Bellamie says definitively.
“She’s in, Laz!” Jolene calls through the open door.
All of the extra time we had pours into getting Molly ready when she arrives.
We’re all friends with her, but she’s new in town and very private about her past. Not wanting to create a false narrative about why, I’m simply happy for her to participate and have a dream future.
Roxy shows up with the dress and we put the finishing touches on a very grateful, slightly shell-shocked Molly.
With minutes to spare before Jolene takes the stage, I pull everyone in for a group hug. “I have to admit, I thought we were going to break the auction, but here we are, and with Molly.”
She tears up and Bellamie whips a tissue out from somewhere. I’m not surprised, Bellamie is always prepared. “Quick, dab so you don’t smear your makeup.”
“I don’t know how I’ll ever repay all of you.”
“No repayment necessary,” Bellamie says.
“We’re always here for each other, and we’ll be here for you too.” I hope she learns to trust us. Whatever baggage she’s carrying, we’ll help with the burden.
Laz calls Jolene to be the first one to take the stage.
We wish her well then wrap our arms around each other as we listen to the bidding take off. It’s a defining moment when she’s officially won.
I celebrate with Bellamie and Molly. “It’s really happening. We get our happily ever afters!”
A few more details about Jolene’s winner reveal that she was won by one guy, not a harem or even a ménage, and he happens to be her brother's best friend, who she’s swooned over for years.
He’s happy. She's happy. The charity will be happy about the $1.5 million donation the guy made for her.
I nibble on my fingernail. It's my turn to take the stage. I didn't expect to be this nervous. My knees threaten to give out. I keep pulling my fingernail out of my mouth. I can’t figure out where to look, so I settle my gaze on Jefferson, the emcee.
“Let’s hear it for Starla.”
Wow, the clapping and cheering is loud. I smile while pretending to look at the awaiting bidders, but can’t focus on anything.
Another voice booms through the PA system. Numbers. It’s the auctioneer. It’s so surreal to be on stage. To be the center of attention. To finally give up on the silly fantasies that mystepbrother was my dream guy or that Cullen would risk his lifelong relationship with my father.
"Six hundred... Do I hear seven?" the auctioneer works into a repeated ramble of asking for seven.
Why is my starting amount so low?
"We have seven. Who's going to take us to that million mark? Don't be shy... who's in it for eight?"
It’s a pretty big leap from seven hundred to a million. As I try to make my steps across the stage look more like a seduction than nervous pacing, the auctioneer’s numbers start to make sense. He meant six hundred thousand.
A lightness washes over me.It's going to be fine. Everything's fine.I keep repeating it in my mind until a ruckus in the back of the room causes a halt in the bidding.
Cullen is at the back of the room arguing with an attendant.
