“Yes. Of course, I do.”
“Then go through the back door.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “I'll see you there. Be sure to get there before seven.”
Gerri gave him a wink before she turned and waltzed herself out of his office. He stared, looking at the ticket, praying that he didn't screw this up entirely. He hoped he had a chance to fix this, to fix everything.
He headed home soon after to shower and shave. He was sure to style his hair before he stepped into his closet, looking for his best suit.
He glanced at many and finally landed his eyes on a full black suit with a silver tie. He didn't wear it often. Silver wasn't a color he liked to wear. But it was his best-looking suit. He decided to go with it.
After getting dressed and checking himself several times in the mirror, he headed out. He made sure he had his ticket in his pocket before he headed for the charity event.
Upon arriving, he did as Gerri said. He headed toward the back door and handed his ticket over to the man guarding the door. He glanced at it before he smiled back at Jake. “Enjoy the event.”
Jake stepped in and stopped when he took in a room filled with men. He was confused. What the hell was going on? He turned back toward the guard at the door. “Which way to the event?”
The man smirked like it was a question he'd heard several times already. “Wait until your name gets called.”
“My name?” He looked at him like he was nuts. “Why would I wait for my name to be called?”
“Jake.” Gerri's voice cut through, and before he knew it, she was pulling him back inside and down a hallway. “You're running late. I told you to get here a little before seven.”
“Late for what?” he asked, still confused about what was going on. Gerri didn't explain anything, though. She just smiled as they stepped onto the backstage of the event.
“The bachelor auction, of course. The winner gets a free dance.”
“What!” His eyes widened.
He didn't get a chance to process her words before she shoved him, making him step out from backstage, right up front and center. The lights were blinding, and he winced, unable to stare at anyone.
“Let's begin the action with Jake Gillespie. He is roughly six foot ten inches. But don't let his size fool you. He's a soft-hearted man just waiting to pull you off your feet. Ladies, don't you want to dance with this spectacular man? The prize man of our event, he certainly has that striking look, doesn't he ladies? Better start placing your bids.”
He tried to see, but the lights made it nearly impossible, but he could hear people. The bid grew higher, and he was unable to keep up with the number or the voices. He had no idea how many people were bidding on him.
Suddenly, he heard the woman's voice cut over the intercom after a few minutes. “Sold! To the lady in the back.”
Someone came up from behind him to guide him off the stage. He looked around, finally able to take in the crowd. He was stunned by how packed the room was. The round tables were each filled with at least ten women, and everyone was looking at him. He wondered who the woman was that won his hand in a dance. Who bid on him? He felt his stomach twist as he was turned to the back, where he stopped to see Gerri holding a smile. “Evening, Jake. Wasn't that fun?”
He looked at her, confused. “You bid for my hand?”
“In a way.” She laughed and stepped aside. His eyes landed on Casey, who looked stunning in a plum dress. Their eyes locked, and he felt like he'd been kicked in the gut.
“She won your hand for the dance tonight,” Gerri said, stepping closer to him. She dropped her voice. “Don't screw this up a second time, Jake.”
Gerri stepped away, leaving him staring at Casey. He swallowed. He wasn't screwing this up. He was making things right.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
CASEY
The world felt like it had slipped into slow motion.
Casey couldn’t tell if Jake was taking a long time to walk to her or if her perception of time had been completely skewed. It was weird because her heart was racing. The people around her seemed to be moving at normal speed, but she was in a strange bubble that defied the laws of physics. Not just because it was taking eons for Jake to walk to her, but because her pulse was racing so hard, she almost couldn’t see.
Casey was so lightheaded the room seemed to fade out and swim away. She realized she was holding her breath and let it out in a rush, filling her lungs immediately. Her head still swam.
If he touches me, I think I’m going to pass out.
Jake’s dark brown hair was tousled, just slightly, falling across his forehead in a neat shock. The bright points of the nearby lamps shone in his blue eyes, making them look like warm oceans she could dive into. Waters that would caress every inch of her skin and steal all the tension and sorrow from her bones.