Page 19 of Merry on the Mountain
Once the amount crosses the thousand-dollar mark, it’s between the mystery woman in the back and a woman at the front of the crowd. I give the woman a brief smile, so she doesn’t think she’s wasting her money on an ass, when suddenly there’s movement to her left, and I see Willa step forward.
“Fifteen-hundred,” she says with a lift of her paddle.
The auctioneer looks at the other woman who had been bidding on me to see if she’ll counter. She shakes her head in defeat and scowls at Willa.
I, on the other hand, want to jump off the stage and attack her with so much gratitude. It’s not just that I want to spend more time with her. It’s also that she’s saving me from a night of stilted conversation and dodging any kind of romantic offers.
I jump offstage and wrap my arms around her in gratitude. “Thank you so much.”
She returns my hug, and it’s the first time I’ve felt her body against mine. “Do you know when I’m supposed to pay?”
“Now, I think. Let’s go find someone and ask. Maybe Ava is around here somewhere.”
“She’s right there.” Willa points over my shoulder.
I turn and see Ava with her paddle raised to bid on Ben. “I knew it.”
“Knew what?”
“There’s something going on between those two.”
“Who is he?”
“That’s my friend Ben; he’s one of the guys in my friend group. In fact, he’s been friends with Aiden since they were kids. They’re both originally from Holly Ridge.”
“And now his little sister is bidding on his best friend?” Her brows raise.
“Not only that, Ben is the principal at the school where Ava teaches.”
“Oh, scandalous. I thought she worked for the animal shelter.”
“Nope, that’s just where she volunteers. She’s actually an art teacher.”
“Maybe they just have some sort of an arrangement like we do.”
I go still and turn all my focus back on her. I might have told myself it was just an arrangement between us. That I wanted her to bid on me so I wouldn’t have to spend an evening making small talk, but now I know that’s not it.
IwantWilla Baker. And I think she wants me.
“This might have started as an arrangement, but I think we both know it’s more than that.”
“Do we?” she challenges me with a hint of a smile.
I stay quiet while I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear and lean forward to whisper, my lips brushing the shell of her other ear. “I’m going to give you your money’s worth, you can count on that.”
She tilts her head, lashes falling closed briefly, as she rests her head in my palm. “Promises, promises.”
“More than promises.”
“Is there a money back guarantee?”
I dip my lips to her neck, grazing the spot where her pulse beats rapidly. “Better than that, I have a one hundred percent satisfaction rating.”
She laughs and pushes me away. “You’re too much. I’m going to go find where I need to pay.” She pulls her phone out and checks the time. “Then I’m heading out. Maya probably needs to be let out.”
I let her go because I need to go get Izzy as well. Part of me feels bad leaving before checking in with the guys, but this is thefirst time Izzy’s been left with someone other than family or Ava. I’m anxious to see how she’s done.
“Goodnight, Daddy. I love you.”
