Chapter 2
Joshua
Istraighten my little Santa tie, wishing I hadn’t said yes to this parade of man meat.
I never cared for auctions, but this was for a good cause.
And though I didn’t need it, Tessy said it would be good for my image.
Plus, all the money was going to a charity I supported, so it was a win-win in my book.
“I hate Christmas,” Elsa muttered, and I glanced over at her. “I just hate all the people who think they need more handouts just because it’s the holiday.”
I frowned at that thought. Christmas was always my favorite holiday. No matter where I lived, there was something in the air that always called to me. Growing up, my mom made sure to make it super special for all of us as well.
“I don’t see it like that. It’s a great holiday.”
She rolled her eyes, quickly grabbing for a glass of champagne and downing it.
“I think you’re a fool if you love this holiday. Speaking of, please tell me you got me that new diamond ring I wanted.”
“Uh,” I stuttered, not having thought of a gift for her.
Was Elsa my girlfriend?
No.
She was a model who was sometimes my plus one for events. She sometimes was a dinner date when I was lonely. She sometimes was a lover when I needed a release. But that’s all she was.
So, by my calculations, that did not deserve a gift. And certainly not one that was an easy two million plus.
“Come on, Joshy, you said you would get it.”
“I did not, Elsa. Don’t lie.”
And that nickname, how I hated it.
I looked around, needing something to drink, or a distraction to get me away from this woman. Or find a way to get rid of her. Why in the world did I ask Tessy to confirm if Elsa was going? It would have been far safer for me if I had just come alone.
“Who is that?”
“Why, she’s stunning.”
“I don’t think I’ve seen her before.”
My head swiveled around as I tried to pick up on all the new conversations. The room seemed to have frozen, and all heads were glancing at the entrance.
“Was there some king coming?” Elsa asked, but her guess was as good as mine.
I looked at the entrance, trying to figure it out myself, but only got a vision in a peach dress. Her hair was down, flowing along her back, her make up highlighted her natural beauty, and her legs were long with sky high heels. But it was her smile and her eyes that captured my attention.
Because I knew them.
I saw them all the time.
But I had never seen them like this before.
I made my way through the crowd, my hand reaching out for her.
“Tessy.”
“Hi,” she said, taking my hand. “I didn’t think I’d cause quite this stir. I know I’m amongst the elite here.”
“Trust me, that is not why everyone is staring at you. You look absolutely stunning. You have made this crowd awestruck.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
“It’s a good thing. I think occasionally, the upper class needs to be knocked down by something new and beautiful.
So,” I tucked her hand in my arm, forgetting about my date.
It wasn’t that I wanted to be mean and ignore Elsa, but Tessy hadn’t been around this side of Hollywood, the rich, and the fame. These wolves could eat her up.
“What?”
“Why did you come tonight?”
“I was asked. When I replied for you, the woman I was talking to was so nice and said that even though I was your PA, I needed to come. That, yes, the elite did come, but it wasn’t that us lowly class couldn’t get it.”
“You plan on bidding, don’t you?”
She laughed, and I couldn’t help but grin.
Tessy had always been a breath of fresh air for me.
She understood me like no one else did. Which was why she made a great PA for me.
She worked endlessly to make sure I was on track for everything, but also that I didn’t get burned out.
Or that I didn’t get roped into things I really didn’t like or didn’t care for.
She looked out for me, just like my family did.
And that made her good people, and I could always use good people in my life.
“I do. Don’t know who, but I couldn’t miss the chance of having a date for Christmas dinner.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I’m really hoping that whoever I can bid on, has mercy on me and enjoys my company so much, that he’ll agree to a second date.
My mom always has this big Christmas party and dinner, and I have yet to bring a date to her place.
So, I’m hoping this year I can have one and surprise the hell out of her and my siblings. It would be epic.”
“How is it possible you don’t have a date?”
“Because I work for a slave driver who does not allow me to have much free time, that’s why. You should see how rude he is to me.”
I couldn’t help but reach out and tickle her side, causing her to squeal.
“He’s a rather good guy, if I do say so,” I countered, rather enjoying this banter.
“He is. He hasn’t let his fame get too far into his head and he can be humble when he needs to be. I also have his mom on speed dial and can call at any moment for her to come kick his ass.”
“You do not.” I paused walking to stare at her, my jaw dropping a little. Not that I didn’t believe her, because I most certainly did. But I can’t believe my mom would give out her number to my PA on the off chance that I need someone to smack upside the back of the head.
“Oh, I do. Do you want to see?”
“No, I believe you. It’s just…my mom would do that?”
“Your mom wants to make sure you stay true to yourself, Joshua, you know this.”
See, she was good people. Mom approved of her and mom didn’t like anybody.
“Ladies and gentleman, may we have our guests come to the stage, it’s time to start the bids. Remember, it’s all for a good cause. So, let’s be generous with our time, our hearts, and our wallets.”
“Thank you for keeping me company,” she told me, nudging me to the stage.
“My pleasure. I had to keep the sharks away, one way or another.”
I wouldn’t ever tell her just how true that statement was. Because plenty of men were staring at her, even if they had a date.
I waited for the announcer to call my name, and once he did, I stepped on stage, smiling at the crowd. The gentleman sang my praises, all I’m sure of which Tessy told them. My eyes sought her out in the crowd, but not spotting her, thanks to the lights.
“First bid, let’s say five thousand.”
From there, the numbers rose higher and higher, hands of plenty of ladies being raised. Finally, as it reached the point of fifty and sixty thousand dollars, it was down to two women. One was Elsa, the other I still couldn’t make out.
Finally, her voice called out from the shadows of one hundred thousand dollars, and the announcer dropped his gravel.
“Tessy Andrews, you’ve won yourself a date with Joshua Stevens.”
I slowly walked off the stage, in a complete daze.
Because my PA just made a huge bid on me, and I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about that.