Page 111 of Best Year Ever
Out steps Rori in a short black sequin dress, waving to the crowd. Her hair is up in a simple twist, with a few curls escaping. Her makeup is just enough to make her green eyes stand out. She looks amazing. She looks perfect. Perfectly Rori.
As she takes her spot next to Grace, she continues to glance around the crowd and finally her eyes hit mine. I see her face change for a moment, first in recognition, and then in something I cannot identify. But then she schools her features.
In the meantime, my heart is in my throat. I’m not sure how I’m breathing.
Yeah, I’m not over this girl. Not one bit.
“Let’s do this,” yells Johnson from the table. What the hell is his problem?
Grace laughs in response. “Okay, we have some eager bidders here tonight, Rori. Let’s get started, shall we?”
“Starting bids at $500,” Roderick announces. “An awesome package from Rori, and all for a good cause. Do we have any bidders?”
The bids begin and suddenly I’m in a panic. I notice a lot of guys have their paddles raised. Some other dude is going to hang out with Rori tonight? Will I even be able to talk to her? Do I want to?
“Okay, great, we have a bid for $550. Do we have $600? Oh we do, excellent. $600 to the gentleman at table 3. Do we have $650?” Roderick says as he drives the bidding.
“I bid $2,000,” shouts Johnson, holding up his paddle. A collective gasp goes through the room. I see Rori’s startled eyes jump to Johnson and then to me.
“Wow, you must really want those tennis lessons,” Roderick says into the microphone. “Okay, we have $2,000! Do we have $2,100? Again, this is to build the new community center, and the Blunts will match, on top of the time with Rori here.”
I don’t know what’s happening. Now Rori, Grace, and Johnson are all looking at me. Rori with a mix of hope and pleading, while Grace and Johnson with a look of expectation.
Suddenly, another bid comes in. “$2,100,” says a local real estate agent I recognize. He’s big in the luxury home market, so he has the money.
I feel like a thousand-pound weight is on my chest. I also know two things with certainty at this point. I want a chance to talk to Rori, and all these other men sure as hell better stay away from her.
“$3,000,” I say loudly, holding up my paddle. The crowd roars with approval at the high bid, and Roderick claps his hands.
“Well, isn’t this fun! $3,000 for Mr. Battle. Do we have another bid?” Roderick says.
“$3,100,” comes a voice from the crowd. This time a woman, the owner of a restaurant franchise in the area.
“$4,000,” shouts Johnson, the smirk on his face directed entirely at me.
Oh hell no.
“$10,000,” I say back. Pointing to Johnson, I add in a voice only he can hear, “and she’s mine.”
The crowd is now in a tumult of cheering and appreciation for the dramatics.
Roderick quickly confirms that Johnson is done bidding. “Is that it? $10,000 to Mr. Battle?”
Johnson shakes his head and puts his arms up in surrender.
“Okay, the bid winner is Mr. Battle. Enjoy that time with Rori!” Roderick says.
“Oh, he will,” shouts Johnson.
I’m going to kill him.
Until he turns to me and speaks in more normal tones. “Don’t worry, brother. Even if you had chickened out on the bid, I would have won and handed the prize to you. Grace gave me marching orders.”
I still don’t know what’s happening. But then it hits me that I’m in the same room as Rori and I’m going to be able to talk to her.
I bring my eyes back up to her on stage, as Grace is starting to transition to the next phase of the evening. Rori is still looking at me, but now it’s only hope I see in her expression. A small smile touches her lips.
And I begin to hope myself.
