Page 84 of One Pucking Surprise
“Lookoverthere,”Chloesays, nudging me with her elbow as she nods toward the stage.
I glance in the direction she’s pointing and see Zach and Wyatt standing near the stage.
Zach is grinning, effortlessly handsome in his suit, the kind of charm that makes the women in the crowd steal glances and whisper behind their hands. My stomach twists, but I ignore it. Tonight isn’t about nerves. Tonight is about showing Zach I’m ready—I’m finally going to tell Zach I’m moving in with him.
Chloe waves to them and then leans closer, smirking. “Careful, Lainey. I think he’s looking over here.”
“Oh, stop it,” I mutter, taking a sip of my drink.
“Relax,” Janelle says, laughing at my discomfort. “He’s probably just wondering why you’re not drooling over him like the rest of his fan club.”
I shake my head and laugh. Chloe burst into laughter, too.
I glance again. Zach is indeed looking this way, his green eyes locking onto mine for just a beat too long before Wyatt distracts him.
The auctioneer taps the microphone, and the room quiets. The buzz of anticipation ripples through the crowd as the spotlight shifts to the stage. “Alright, ladies and gentlemen, let’s have some fun and open those wallets for a great cause! Tonight, we’re auctioning off some of your favorite players from the LA Knights.”
Wyatt’s booming laugh echoes across the room. “You hear that, boys? Let’s give these ladies a reason to break the bank tonight!”
Chloe nudges me again, beaming as Wyatt steps onto the stage. His confidence radiates as he charms the crowd, his easy grin earning cheers before the bidding even begins. The auctioneer barely gets a number out before Chloe raises her hand high.
“Twenty-five thousand dollars!” she declares, her voice carrying across the room with all the boldness and sass she’s known for.
Laughter and whispers ripple through the crowd, and I can’t help but smirk. Typical Chloe—she’s not here to play games. I catch Wyatt’s face light up as he spots her in thecrowd, and the whole scene is so ridiculously sweet it makes my chest ache a little.
Chloe stands, throwing a wink at Janelle and me, and we both make exaggerated gagging faces at her.
The auctioneer doesn’t even try to drag it out. “Going once… going twice… sold to the lovely lady in the front!”
Chloe laughs and makes her way to the stage. As soon as she’s close, Wyatt scoops her into his arms, spinning her around. The crowd cheers as he kisses her, and for a moment, they’re the picture of effortless happiness.
Janelle nudges me. “Could they be any cuter?”
I can’t help but think about how easy they make it look—the kind of love that doesn’t seem forced or fragile. My eyes drift to Zach again, and the thought hits me: Could I ever have that with someone like him?
The auctioneer’s voice snaps me back to reality, and one by one, the Knights are called up. Janelle gets caught up in the energy of the room, bidding on one of the rookies and winning. She heads up to claim her date. She winks at me as she and her date head into the crowd, clearly enjoying herself.
Then it’s Zach’s turn.
Headjusts his tie while striding onto the stage with the kind of confidence that could only come from years of being adored. The applause is immediate and enthusiastic, and he soaks it all in with that maddening grin of his.
I sit back and smile. I can’t stop my gaze from following him. I can feel my heart racing as I watch him charm the crowd.
The auctioneer doesn’t waste time. “Let’s start the bidding at ten thousand dollars!”
Bids start flying. Someone from the back shouts, “Fifteen thousand dollars!”
My fingers tap against the stem of my glass as I watch, my thoughts swirling. He’s playing to the crowd, his charm on full display, but his eyes keep drifting back to me.
The bids continue—twenty thousand, twenty-five, thirty—but I wait, biding my time. Zach’s gaze sweeps the room, lingering on me for a moment before moving on. My pulse quickens, and I know it’s time.
I stand and raise my hand. “One hundred thousand dollars!”
The room goes silent, the murmurs and whispers building as every eye turns toward me. My hand stays steady, and I keep my expression calm, but inside, my heart is pounding.
The auctioneer’s face lights up. “One hundred thousand dollars! Going once, going twice… sold to the beautiful lady in red!”
The applause is thunderous, and I make my way to the stage, my legs feeling shaky but my resolve strong. I catch Zach’s expression—somewhere between disbelief and amusement. He’s watching me like I’ve just done the most outrageous thing he’s ever seen, and it makes the corner of my mouth twitch into a smile.
