her standards.
“Let’s get the bidding started,” the MC says.
At least ten paddles raise in the air immediately.
I let out a relieved breath as Lauren sits there, the paddle with my number still on the table beside her as we watch the bidding quickly sore to the highest number of the night.
The waitress brings over another drink for me, and I’m thankful for her perfect timing. I swallow down my hatred for whatever woman is the lucky winner of Mauro.
“Do I hear nine hundred?” the MC says, and no one raises their paddle. “Eight fifty?” A woman raises her paddle in the air. “The brunette in the corner has the bid.”
Just like Cristian, Mauro squints, trying to see who has the winning bid and I have no idea if he can actually see past the spotlight.
“Going once…” The MC looks around the room and the woman in the corner is already celebrating with her girlfriends.
I loathe her, and I don’t even know her.
“Going twice…”
The brunette is biting her lip, her eyes roaming over Mauro again like he’s a tub of Ben and Jerry’s and Aunt Flo has come to visit.
“One thousand!” someone calls out and when I look in front of me I realize that Lauren is standing holding her paddle in her hand.
“Whoa! One thousand to the lady in the back.”
“Lauren,” I scold but she pays me no attention. Does she ever?
“Do you counter?” the MC directs his question to the other woman whose smile has fallen.
Great. Now I feel bad for her. She thought she had him and Lauren stole him away.
Her friends are all whispering, and I wonder if they’ll pool all their money together. Lauren stands there, her paddle still raised in the air.
The other woman shakes her head.
“Then sold for one thousand dollars!” He points the gavel at Lauren.
Mauro turns and heads off the stage.
Lauren tosses the paddle in the middle of the table. “You can thank me on your wedding day.”
“I didn’t want Mauro,” I argue, even if my stomach is too busy flipping and fluttering at the thought of a night alone with him.
“Yes, you did. This is your chance. Either you find out he’s a complete douche and stop comparing every man you meet to him or you find out he’s everything you ever thought he was. Either way win-win.”
“Okay, I need to be filled in here,” Vanessa says. “Especially since I’m supposed to be going out with his brother.” She points to Cristian’s bio in the book and narrows her eyes at me.
“Later,” I say.
“Fine. If this is the way we’re going to play it…” Vanessa turns away from our conversation and fixes her attention on the MC.
“If you lost out on the first two Bianco’s, the third time’s the charm with the youngest or baby Bianco as he’s referred to by his brothers. If you love a bad boy who can’t keep it in his pants, then Luca Bianco is the man for you! Be prepared to dance the night away while swatting away the competition. Don’t bid unless you can handle yourself in a cat fight.” The MC chuckles. “Luca Bianco!” he says with flourish and points to the curtains.
Luca comes out like he’s walking the catwalk of a fashion show, full of cocky confidence. He’s wearing his formal EMT outfit and he unbuttons his jacket, sliding out of it, swinging it over his shoulder as he spins around. His smile is flirtatious as his dark eyes scan over the women in the crowd.
Where Cristian looked uncomfortable and Mauro looked a little irritated, it’s clear that Luca is in his element. He nods to the MC to get the bidding going.
Paddles raise in the air as soon as it starts. Some lowering as the price steadily goes up.
“Eight hundred?” The MC asks, and Vanessa raises her paddle behind Lauren’s head.
“Eight to the pretty blonde in the back.” He smiles at her like he’s got a chance with her himself.
Luca smiles too, and I wonder if it’s because he can see who’s bidding on him.
“Eight fifty!” A woman shouts out from three tables over.
“Nine hundred!” Vanessa stands.
Lauren whips around, grabbing the paddle from Vanessa’s hands.
“Don’t you dare.” She pulls on the paddle, but Vanessa pulls harder in the other direction.
“Okay, ladies, no fighting,” The MC says.
“Nine twenty-five!” the other woman yells.
Vanessa wrenches the paddle back and Lauren lurches forward. “Nine fifty!” Vanessa stands and smiles, raising the paddle high in the air like they’re playing monkey in the middle.
Lauren steps on