Without hesitation, I tell Tammy that I’ll do it. Host the auction, that is. I’ll think about anything further – even just dinner – in my own sweet time.
“Great,” she says. “I’ll talk to Brian about it.”
She’s mentioned this Brian guy that she’s with, but I’ve never met him. He’s new to Bloom, but she was completely swept off her feet by him, apparently. He’s rich, smart, handsome, successful, and completely devoted to her – why can’t these things ever happen to me?
She says they can make all the arrangements and call me back in a few days. After I hang up the phone, I go back to baking. I’m anticipating having another busy day, so I want to make sure that I have extra batches of everything in stock.
I can’t help but keep thinking that I made a good decision by going through with Tammy’s idea. It seems like a quick and easy way to make the money that I need. Though it’s an unusual method of going about fundraising, I really see nothing wrong with it.
I don’t know why I was hesitant about it on the phone. Probably because it’s something that I wouldn’t usually do.
I’ve never been the type of girl to do wild and crazy things. But desperate times call for desperate measures and all of that – when you’re in a situation like I’m in, sometimes you have no choice.
As I continue baking, I start to have doubts and second guess myself. I wonder if I should have talked to someone else before agreeing to host this crazy auction.
But who would I have asked?
There is always Aunt Barbara. I can always count on her when I need an honest opinion about something. I decide that I’ll think about it. She has a lot on her plate right now and I don’t’ want to worry her with any more of my problems.
Plus, it’s a bit crazy of a thing to discuss with my aunt, even if she’s been open-minded and understanding about me being a young, single mom. This billionaire auction thing would be something else entirely!
Eventually I stop worrying about it and lose myself in baking, which is one of the many things I love about it.
Before I know it, it’s time to open the store. I have a good number of customers coming in today, just like yesterday. By closing time, I can’t wait to go home and curl up on the bed next to Maxim. Though I won’t get much sleep, it’ll be nice to lay down for a few minutes at least.
As I lock up for the night, I worry about my son. I hope he wasn’t too much of a handful for Barbara tonight. I’m eager to get home and see how he is doing, and relieve her from her babysitting duties. Even though she always says she’s a willing volunteer, I feel bad.
Plus, I miss him – and I miss her. I’m grateful she stepped in to help me, since my own mother thought me unfit.
As I drive home, I feel how tired I am, down deep in my bones. I force myself to think about what Tammy said – that this opportunity will make me a lot of money, and that’s exactly what I need right now.
I was shocked that I found the idea so exciting. My mind wanders as I think about the things that might take place at an event like that. I feel myself blush and try to think of something else.
I imagine the delight I would feel at getting the hostess fee. The look of shock that would cross my uncle’s face once I paid all his money to him like that. It makes me want to do it even more. I could find excitement and give Maxim and me the life we both need and deserve.
I’m suddenly anxious for this auction to happen, even though I was originally scared. I’m impatient to make money and see what it’s all about.
The thought crosses my mind that I might meet my own handsome billionaire there. But I push it back to the corners of my brain, telling myself that’s too much to hope for. I’ve never had any luck with love or sex.
Let’s just stick to the money-making goals, shall we? I told myself, as I finally arrived home, still looking forward to seeing my son, my aunt, and my bed.
Chapter 7
Derek
A week later, I walk into the bakery where the auction is being held. I was surprised that Brian was able to pull something together so quickly. He’s putting me in charge of this auction, since it’s located in my city.
As I walk into the bakery and look around, all I can think is that this is a strange place to have an auction. I guess that’s what happens in a place like this where there’s no billionaire auction club established, though.