“Oooh, he’s funny too!” The auctioneer chimes in. “Come on, ladies! What’ll you bid for this sharp-dressed man? I think we’ll start the bidding at five hundred!”
I search the crowd, trying to find the only woman I want to see again.“Well, I went down to the Grundy county auction…”The vaguely familiar country song sinks in, and I stare daggers at James.“Hey, pretty lady, won’t you give me a sign? I’d do anything to make you mine, all mine…”
James is so damn fired.
But then I see her, leaning against the back wall in that sexy-as-fuck little dress. I sure as hell never had a teacher who looked like that.“Ruby red lips, blonde hair, blue eyes. I’m about to kiss my heart goodbyeeeeeee!”
For the first time in my entire life, a country song hits me right in the feels. I lock eyes with Chelsea and tap my chest and mouth the words to the song.“I’d give anything to make her mine, all mine.”
Paddles are flying. “One thousand, two hundred and five dollars to the lady in blue! Do I see one thousand three hundred?”
Chelsea grins sheepishly, her shoulders rising in an adorable shrug as she holds up a little purse, as if to say, ‘You think I have two grand in here?’
“Whew! I have two thousand from the woman in red, paddle 34. Do I see two thousand one hundred? Come on, folks! Those kids need their tech! No one? Two thousand going once…”
No. If I’m going on a date, it will not be with some random woman. No. It’s going to be with the sinfully sexy teacher. “Ten thousand!” I blurt out.
The crowd goes absolutely silent. The only sound in the hall is the country song, which seems to go on forever and ever.
Hey pretty lady, won’t you give me a sign…
James waves his hands in front of his neck, giving me the “Oh my god, fucking stop whatever you’re thinking” gesture. I really should have thought this through, but there’s no time. It’s now or never, and I’m not walking out of here without her.
The auctioneer gives me the side eye as she recovers. “Well, this is a new one for me, folks!” She laughs into the microphone. “You’re going to… date yourself?”
Going once, going twice, I’m sold to the lady in the second row…
I lean over into her microphone. “No, I want a date with the teacher in the back.” I point right at Chelsea. Her eyes go wide, and she claps a hand over her mouth.
There’s a rustle in the hall as people twist in their seats, craning necks and whispering. I didn’t mean to cause a scene. Hell, I didn’t even want to be here tonight. An hour ago, I was plotting the best way to drop off a check and slide out the side door. I’m so fucking glad I didn’t do it. I don’t know what it is, but Iwanther. I’ve never wanted someone this badly in my whole life.
Ruby red lips, blonde hair, blue eyes… I’m about to kiss my ego goodbye.
4
CHELSEA
Oh god. Everyone is staring at me. The auctioneer, the audience, even Olive is gaping at me. The hall is filled with whispers and uncomfortable giggles, but I can’t take my eyes off him. This has to be a joke and since no one else is diffusing it, I guess it’s up to me.
I cup my hands around my mouth and try to keep my voice from wavering. “I think you’re confused about how bachelor auctions work!”
People laugh, relaxing in their seats. But Matt lifts an eyebrow and grins. Even from here, I can see the dimples sinking in his cheeks, and they make my heart flutter all over again.
He leans toward the auctioneer’s microphone, and she holds it out for him, her eyebrows higher than the space station. “Fifteen thousand,” Matt counters.
I cross my arms and shake my head. “I’m pretty sure you can’t do that!” I holler back. My heart is racing in my chest, and I’m not sure if I should be annoyed or flattered.
Olive smacks me on the arm. “Oh my god,” she whispers. “Just go to dinner with him already.”
“No!” I smack her right back. “I’m not the one for sale. He is!”
“Twenty thousand,” Matt offers from the stage. “Twenty thousand dollars for one date.”
“Maybe we need Mr. Acevedo to lose the jacket and tie,” the auctioneer teases.
I shake my head, my eyes wide, but Matt shrugs, cocky grin in place as he unbuttons his suit coat and slides it down his shoulders. He tosses it at the man who catcalled him earlier, who catches it and waves it over his head triumphantly.
The bachelorette party to my right screams with excitement. Several of them climb on top of their chairs and cheer on the striptease. “Take it off! Take it off! Take it off!” they chant.