Tilly snorted.
“You make such a fuss. Sam’s a sweet guy. I don’t know why you keep running away from him.”
“I said no. That’s a full sentence, isn’t it?”
“Anyway, that’s not why I stopped you. Marley and Jason have got something set up after the first dance. They need all of us ladies to be on the dancefloor as soon as they’re done.”
Paula frowned.
“What for?”
“Stop arguing and come with me! Marley wants you to be involved.”
“Can’t someone else take my place.”
“Nope. Now come on!”
Tilly tugged Paula by the wrist back to the dancefloor. Paula tried to pull her hand back, but she forgot how strong Tilly was. She just couldn’t get away. What was going on? What was Marley up to?
If there were dances with the bridesmaids and groomsmen, she was out. Not happening. The thought of Sam touching her like that again made her feel sick.
She couldn’t believe that her friends were so thick-headed.
The first dance stopped, and the applause afterwards made Paula’s head hurt. Her instincts were on high alert. Something bad was going to happen, she was sure of it.
Marley and Jason whispered something to each other, and they were kissing again when Charlie appeared at Jason’s side. A moment later, both men moved away, and Marley went to the DJ, who handed her a microphone. Then she turned to the guests, raising the microphone to her mouth.
“Hey, guys! Again, I want to thank everyone for coming to our wedding. It’s been perfect, and I appreciate how everyone has made it to be. But now I have something special for you. Especially all the single young men out there.”
Paula stiffened. This did not sound good.
“Now, I want my bridesmaids to join me here.” Marley beckoned the girls over. “Lisa, Jessica, Paula and Amy, let’s go!”
“She wants you now.” Tilly started pushing Paula towards the dancefloor. “Go on, don’t keep her waiting.”
Paula caught a smirk on the maid-of-honour’s face. She did know what was going on. She wanted to run away, but curiosity got the better of her, and Paula found herself lined up beside the other girls who had been part of the wedding party. They were all looking at each other with sly grins, and they kept looking at Paula. She wanted to squirm.
What were they up to?
“Okay, boys,” Marley started walking around the dancefloor like she was a ringmaster. “We have four lovely ladies up here. Four very single ladies. And they’re all looking for a guy to have fun with tonight. This is for the single guys only, I might add. No adultery here.” She giggled. “You’re going to bid on each bridesmaid, and whoever wins the highest bid will get to have some fun. The money, if you’re wondering, is going to go towards our honeymoon and my future with Jason. We will really appreciate the money you give. And you guys get to spend time however you want with some gorgeous girls.”
Paula’s blood was rushing through her head, her heart pounding in her ears. They were actually putting the bridesmaids up for auction? They had to be insane to think this was a good idea.
Then she saw Sam. He was now sitting at one of the tables at the front, looking right at her. There was an intense look in his eyes, a slight curve to his mouth. He looked almost smug, as if he was saying she had nowhere to run anymore.
Oh, God. They had set it up so Sam would finally get her and she couldn’t run away. Paula felt like she was going to be sick. Her chest was tightening. She couldn’t breathe.
Where was Charlie? She needed to get out of there. This couldn’t be happening. She wanted to run, but her feet were rooted to the spot. Paula couldn’t move.
They had trapped her. And from the satisfied look on Marley’s face, they thought they had won.
* * *
“Can I go out with my friends tomorrow, Dad?”
Michael looked up. Natalie stood in the doorway, her phone in her hand.
“Where are they going?”