Chapter 38 Gwendolyn
Gwendolyn
The sun is setting over the mountains, leaving the whole town covered in a soft orange glow. All the extra lights that were specifically placed around the town square light up, giving the area an ethereal feel that makes all my wildest dreams come true. It was everything I imagined and then some.
The crowd is gathering around the gazebo, waiting with excited chatter for what is coming next. Personally, I’m trying not to throw up from anxiety after what happened with Logan earlier.
I knew we needed to keep things on the down low.
Hell, I was perfectly fine with it as we tried to figure everything out for ourselves.
After the week we had, however, I thought this was going to be the next step in the direction of us going public.
Easing into it with a funny little auction date.
Something he asked me to do numerous times recently. Did I read it all wrong?
Nibbling on my thumbnail, I feel someone walk up next to me and gently pry my hand from my mouth.
“I thought you outgrew that bad habit,” Kennedy sighs.
“No, I just learned to hide it better. Considering the circumstances, I think I am warranted a little bit of a bad habit. It’s this or I start hyperventilating from stress, so take your pick.”
“I choose none of the above, if I’m being totally honest.”
I take a deep breath and shove my hands into the sleeves of my sweater to keep from biting my nails again.
We are quiet for a minute as we watch the guys participating in the auction gather behind the curtain surrounding the gazebo.
Mrs. Spencer flits to each one, a wide smile on her face as she laughs at whatever they are saying to her.
Jackson looks wildly uncomfortable when she pats him on the arm, and both of us chuckle at his contorted expression.
“Is he smiling, or did he smell something bad?”
“Probably both. I think one of the contestants got a hold of some Axe body spray from 2009 and bathed in it. Why do you think I’m standing all the way out here?
” I gesture to the space I’m taking up, just far enough away from the gazebo that I can still see everything, but no one will pay attention to me.
At least most people won’t. Logan clocked my location immediately, and I can feel his eyes tracking me even now.
I caught his gaze a moment ago, flashing him a smile and a cheesy thumbs up I instantly regretted showing him all is good.
But truthfully, all is not good. All is pretty bad in my mind right now as I have questions running on a loop wondering if I read the whole situation wrong.
If he was having regrets about the time we were spending together now that the event is active and coming to an end soon.
Kennedy hums. “I thought you were standing out here to hide from a stupid boy who put his foot in his mouth.”
I shrug, not willing to put a voice to any sort of lie I might attempt. “That’s not the complete reason, but it’s a reason, nonetheless.”
“He felt bad about it as soon as he said it, if that counts for anything.”
“He still said it, so obviously it was on his mind in some capacity.” I kick the toe of my left boot into the ground a couple times. “Why are you sticking up for him anyway? Weren’t you just this morning telling me to be careful?”
Her nose scrunches. “Me? No, I don’t recall. Oh look, it’s starting.” She points toward the mock stage where Mrs. Spencer walks out to a sea of clapping.
“Thank goodness y’all didn’t start without me.” Piper slides in next to me, slightly out of breath.
“Where have you been? We closed up the booth half an hour ago for this.”
She waves a hand in my direction. “Had some family stuff to deal with.” Piper doesn’t go into detail on what that was, but the redness around her eyes and the bit of smudged mascara on the corner tells me something is wrong.
“Pipes, are you okay?”
She smiles at me, though it doesn’t reach her eyes which lock onto mine. “Don’t worry about it. I’m just glad I didn’t miss the main event.”
I want to question her again, knowing in my gut she’s not being honest. And in what world does my best friend think I’m not going to worry about something that has clearly upset her?
“You seem awfully eager there, Piper,” Kennedy leans around me to smirk at her. “Have your eye on someone special?”
A soft blush erupts on the apples of her already tanned cheeks. Sputtering slightly, she protests the thought. “No, I don’t. But who am I not to participate in something like this? A free date with one of Willow Grove’s most eligible bachelors?”
“You heard how good the winery basket was, didn’t you?”
Piper giggles. “You caught me. I had to help unload them earlier, and I want that cheese platter and red blend.”
I promise myself I’ll ask her about whatever has her eyes red-rimmed tomorrow. For now, I’ll let her pretend all is well.
We turn our attention to the gazebo as Margot raises the microphone to her mouth. I get a flush of pride in my chest as I watch the crowd cheer. The size of the attendees finally hits me as they all stand in the same place.
“Welcome to the 39th annual Willow Grove Harvest Festival, y’all!”
Everyone cheers again. Loud whistles ringing out in the air.
“And welcome to the first ever Willow Grove date auction! I bet my mother-in-law is wondering why she never thought of this herself, especially after seeing the lineup of eligible bachelors—and a couple of bachelorettes—we have tonight.” A rolling chuckle moves around the crowd.
“Before we get started, I want to take this moment to highlight the reason this year was such a raging success. Gwendolyn, where are you, darlin’?
” Margot puts her hand to her brow, searching the crowd beneath the perimeter lights.
Kennedy nudges me forward, and Piper calls for her to look over here.
My cheeks no doubt are flaming red under the warm glow when everyone turns toward me.
I raise my hand in acknowledgement when she waves at me.
“Let’s give a massive round of applause for Willow Grove’s very own for going above and beyond.
But I would be remiss not to include my own pride and joy, who assisted.
My son, and current eligible bachelor, ladies,” her wink makes everyone laugh, but sends my stomach somersaulting at the reminder he will be going on a date with someone else tonight.
“Logan Spencer. Honey, poke your head out real quick.”
The curtain parts, and the female population surrounding us erupts in cheers as he bashfully grins, waving around the crowd. But it’s when he hugs his mother, pecking her on the cheek like a true southern gentleman, that has them all swooning. Myself included.
He gives a silent goodbye, parting the curtain again. Instead of just disappearing behind it though, he shoots a wink in my direction, then exits.
“God, that boy has it bad for you.” Piper mimes a swoon with her hand to her forehead.
Does he, though? I think to myself. I feel Kennedy rub at my back. A silent gesture that tells me she’s there. Probably sensing the worry nagging at me again.
“First, the rules for tonight. Winning bids are final, and only one winning date per person, so please see Gwendolyn,” she points in my direction again, and I hold my hand up to show everyone who I am, “as soon as possible to settle up. She will then give you your basket, courtesy of Holly’s Vineyard.
Please remember, though, ‘no’ means ‘no’ and is a full and complete sentence.
If for whatever reason your date declines, please respect their wishes; however, these contestants are ready for a little wine ‘n dine tonight. Be kind and play fair. And have fun! Now let’s get this auction started! ”
The first couple of contestants go by in a blur. Mrs. Spencer stunned us all with her auctioneer voice. I thought she was joking when she told me she had been practicing, but she proved me wrong as she sped through the dollar amounts without getting winded.
But when the first bidding went on to over five hundred dollars, I realized I didn’t just underestimate Margot, but I underestimated just how well this event would do.
After tallying up the money handed over by an old classmate’s mother, Kennedy and Piper stared at me with wide eyes as I gave her the picnic basket and wished her a fun night.
“Was that Rudy Jenkin’s mom?”
“Yup.”
Kennedy’s jaw dropped. “Wasn’t that Rudy Jenkin’s high school best friend?”
We all stare at each other, our cheeks turning red until we couldn’t hold it in anymore and laughter bursts out of us.
“I knew this would be a hit,” I say as I peek into the money bag in my hands. “I didn’t realize it would be this big, though.”
“No shit. It’s only guy number three, and you’ve already raised over a thousand dollars.”
Piper shakes her head in disbelief. “No offense to those guys, but they weren’t even top-billed. These people are going to go bankrupt when they see the final few.”
Blood drains from my face as I realize what she means. “I guess it’s a good thing I’m not bidding on Logan anymore. There’s no way I could afford it.”
“What do you mean you’re not bidding on Logan?” Piper’s jaw drops at my admission.
“It’s nothing,” I try to assure her, but my sister just stokes the fire.
“He’s an idiot and told her not to.”
“It’s okay. I might not like it, but I get it.”
Piper’s brows slam down. “Good for you. However, I don’t. What’s his problem?”
“Honestly,” I blow out a long breath. “I’m not sure. But I’m not going to let him ruin my big day.”
Piper wraps an arm around my shoulders. “I’ll kill him if he hurts you. That’s not a threat.”
I giggle, leaning my head on my best friend’s shoulder. “I know.”