The Christmas Auction (Spice & Seduction #16)

Chapter 1

Tessy

“This is stupid,” I muttered to myself, looking through the fancy cocktail dresses. “So, what if you’ve been saving up for years to make the highest bid? So, what if you cleaned up your cards just so you could max them out for one night? He still won’t see you.”

“Uh, miss, is there something I can help you find?”

I jumped as I spun around, looking at the sales associate who was clearly amused by my one-sided conversation. Who could blame her? I would be too if I was only hearing myself. Well, that’s all it was anyways.

“There’s an auction. I need to look nice. Something that doesn’t scream…plain. Mousy even.”

Hello word vomit.

The woman smiled, nodding her head in understanding and I couldn’t say how grateful I was for that.

“You need something that’s going to draw his eye and make him see you for something else, right?

Name is Anna, and I’ll be happy to assist you.

Black is the greatest color for anything, but you’re more tanned; I’m going to say you have some Latin rolling through your blood.

I have the most stunning peach color cocktail dress that would certainly not make you look plain. ”

“I’ll take it.”

The woman laughed at my enthusiasm, but she gently took my arm, guiding me toward the rack, then pulled the dress, handing it to me.

“How about we try it on, see what shoes you’ll need, and what jewelry, before you say you’ll take it.”

“Right, of course. Must be obvious I don’t shop much for me.”

“Kind of. However, I don’t think you spoil yourself. And spoiling is not the same as shopping.”

“There’s a difference, Anna?”

“There is. Shopping is getting what you need, what looks nice. Spoiling is taking the time to find the right fit, color, style, and then all the sexy pieces that go along with it. It’s not about buying what you need but buying what makes you feel amazing.

So, take this as a spoiling session that you need.

And once the confidence is within you after spoiling, you’ll turn all the heads you want. ”

I couldn’t help but smile over that thought because that’s exactly what I wanted, what I needed. And I had never heard that, but it made total sense. She was absolutely right. I hadn’t spoiled myself.

I quietly slipped into the room and changed, looking at myself in the mirror before stepping out to show her.

I was an average female with a little less junk in the truck, and more top heavy, but this dress showcased every asset I did have to a T.

It slimmed down the waist and pushed up the girls even more.

“Wow, you look stunning. Hold right there. I got the perfect shoes for you.” She quickly left, only to return moments later holding a pair of gold stilettos, a black handbag, and a simple black bracelet.

“You want to highlight the dress. But more importantly, you want to highlight you in that dress.”

I carefully stepped into the shoes then looked in the mirror.

The person staring back at me was not the mousy Tessy Andrews, PA to the movie star. This was Tessy Andrews, vixen of the night.

And I was here for every bit of that.

“Hot damn,” I muttered, turning to look at myself in every direction. “I look amazing.”

“You do. And I promise, whoever you plan on bidding on, will certainly love having you as his date.”

A smile as wide as the Gulf appeared on my face. Looking at myself, I even believed that was true. I twisted my lip, too overjoyed to do anything else but stare.

“Thank you. I’ll take it all.”

I frowned as my phone pinged and walked back into the dressing room, digging it out of my purse.

Just got an interview for the auction in two days. Make memo to dry clean my suit please.

The suit is taken care of. You mean for the interview?

Yes. I think the black one with the red tie.

Great Christmas theme. I’ll add it to the calendar then put an extra note for me. Anything else?

Can you confirm Elsa is going to the auction? She’s supposed to make a bid for me.

I rolled my eyes at the name. Elsa was Blake’s lover. She didn’t want a full-fledged relationship with Blake given he was always busy, but she sure wanted his movie name and status. Why he kept going back to her, I couldn’t understand.

Maybe they were just using each other?

I mean, it wasn’t my business. I didn’t do anything beyond what I was asked to do. And when he wasn’t busy, I had my own world.

That often consisted of pinning after him like a stupid lovesick fool.

Because that’s what I was, duh!

I will confirm. Last I checked, she was going.

You’re the best, T. Thank you for all you do. I owe you.

I read that last message a dozen more times before I put my phone down. I did want him to owe me. I mean, none of what he asked went beyond my normal duties. But what I’d like to have him owe me isn’t what he’d like, of that, I’m sure.

I finally changed, paying for everything, then headed out to have lunch with my best friend. She would snap me out of this haze for a little bit.

“Shopping?” she asked as I walked to my car.

“No, spoiling.”

“Come again?” she questioned, lifting a brow.

“I bought a dress for the auction, Melody. See?”

I carefully lifted it out to show her and she let out a whistle.

“Holy shit, Tessy, you’ll look amazing in this. Oh, please say I can do your hair and makeup for this night? Is this like your game plan? Oh, oh, oh, is this Christmas Auction Operation to land the biggest, baddest, hunkest man you’ve laid eyes on?”

I stared at her, quite shocked by her giddiness. Here I thought she was trying to push me away from wanting him and now she was all for it. That wasn’t like her, and I had to tell her as much.

“It wasn’t that I didn’t think you’d be cute,” she told me, putting the bags away and locking my car up, before leading me to the café for lunch.

“Personally, I think you two would be a stunning couple. It’s that you pin away for him but never step up when I think you should.

So, to know that you’re actually making a plan, even if it is a secret, is music to my ears.

And yes, as your best friend, I’m here for it and want to support you. So, can I do the works on you?”

“Fine, yes, you can. But there are guidelines. I have to look good, and it has to compliment the look. I didn’t spend money on this dress to look extra.”

“Trust me, Tessy, I promise you’ll look amazing. And Elsa, with all her fakeness won’t even hold a candle to you. Honestly, bestie, you’re not as mousy and plain jane as you think you are. Especially when you choose to get dolled up and be pushed out of your comfort zone.”

I took a deep drink of my iced tea, thinking over her words. I was glad for besties like her, but it was still tough to believe. I played dress up when I had to, looked the part of professional when needed, but more times than not, leggings and tank tops were my go-to clothing line.

With a sigh, I smiled at her. “I’ll be so out of my comfort zone for this damn auction, and he better freaking ass like it when I bid all I can.”