CHAPTER 13
The Flirtation Gala took place at a pop-up bar in lower Manhattan. According to the social media buzz surrounding it, the money raised would go to feeding the homeless. Per Ms. Birdie’s request, Scott had arrived early. Doc would come later. He’d been told the Glam Team was busy transforming her into Cinderella for the evening.
He’d wanted to text her this morning and explain last night, but his nondisclosure agreement with Naked Runway prevented him from doing so. And Frankie’s damn text last night had been clear. Be seen out on the town with a woman—any woman—other than Doc.
This so that when Frankie leaked the photos of him and Doc having a cozy dinner, it would be juxtaposed against him out on the town two hours later with twin models. All to remind Naked Runway readers that Scott Landshire didn’t just play the part of a rake… He was a rake.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Ms. Birdie, who stood next to him, said. Tonight, she wore an elegant formal gown. “Is there something on your mind?”
There were a lot of somethings on his mind, not the least of them his response to Doc’s hand on his knee. It had been immediate and jolting and different. It had awakened something in him he couldn’t define. Not desire—he’d already admitted to himself he desired Doc. Whatever it had awakened had left him on edge all day. Not that he would burden Ms. Birdie with his emotional discombobulation. “I’m scouting the men in attendance and wondering which, if any of them, will grab the attention of Doc.”
“My money is on the gentleman in the green corduroy jacket over at the bar.”
Scott tensed as he glanced in that direction. The man in question leaned against the wooden frame, surveying the room with a bored expression. And while his attire was better suited for a gathering in the country, the rest of him had a more sophisticated air. “He’s one of your projects, isn’t he?” Scott asked.
Ms. Birdie laid a hand on his arm. “He is. My star pupil.”
“And you believe he’s the perfect man for Doc?”
“Unless you have someone else in mind—like perhaps yourself—I do.”
“Doc and I are oil and water.”
“Only because you are under a most unfortunate curse. If that were to be eliminated, my keen matchmaking senses tell me you would be perfect for Lux,” she mused.
“Curse or not, I’m wrong for her. She’s made that abundantly clear the past few days.”
“I see. That’s a shame, but I respect a woman’s right to follow her common sense instead of her heart.” She nodded as if convincing herself of what she’d just said. “Now I’m doubly glad to be hosting tonight’s event.”
“Doubly?”
“Not only will Lux have the chance to try out your methods—a requirement of your challenge—but it will also give her the opportunity to connect with some gentlemen who could quite possibly meet her common-sense criteria.”
“Like green corduroy?”
She nodded. “I believe he is primed to fall for her charms quicker than you can say rakish, and more importantly, if you’re truly not on her radar, I believe there’s a fine chance she will fall for him as well.”
The thought gave him heartburn. “What is it about him that you believe will capture her common-sense-ruled heart?”
“Let’s just say, he’s well read, a romantic, and, unlike you who had a very busy evening last night, is ready to settle down with just one woman.”
“Last night was orchestrated by Frankie.”
“Was it, now?” Ms. Birdie said, a faint frown marring her brow. “Perhaps that’s just as well.”
“Just as well?” He ground his back teeth, biting back a storm of words.
“I believe your stunt last night will have Lux all bristly, which will result in her going all in on her mission to find the right man. Once she learns Mr. Corduroy’s parents have recently celebrated their thirtieth wedding anniversary and have demonstrated to him what a happy marriage looks like, and that that is something he wants for himself, she’ll give him serious consideration as a future husband.”
“I take it you coached him to get those pieces of information out there?” Scott would like to think Doc would take one look at the man and turn the other direction, but his gut told him he was wrong. The man represented a cozy Sunday afternoon. Exactly the right type of man for her.
“Indeed.”
“He doesn’t look the sort to rush into a relationship. I thought you were stacking the odds in my favor to win our challenge. Have you changed your mind? Have you gone all fairy godmother on Lux and decided to leave me to fend for myself?”
Ms. Birdie patted his cheek. “Stop fretting. I’ve adjusted my plan in lieu of your certainty Lux wants nothing to do with you, but my goal for you to win is very much alive.”
He shifted his stance. “Are you sure you’re not spreading yourself too thin? Perhaps you should hand Doc off to another of your associates.”
“I am perfectly capable of multi-tasking,” Ms. Birdie said, shaking a finger at him. “I’ll have you know, I’ve never had a failure in my fairy godmother endeavors, and I don’t plan on starting with two of my top-ten favorite subjects ever. When the dust has settled on your How to Win a Rake in Eight challenge, you will have won, and Lux’s consolation prize will be the prince of her heart.”
Scott scrubbed a hand down his jawline. “A prince who wears patches on the sleeves of his jacket instead of a crown on his head is a sorry excuse of a loser’s prize if you ask me.”
“Then it’s a good thing I didn’t ask you. Now, enough with your massive ego. I must go say hi to our Luxury.”
Our. He’d be lying if he said he didn’t like the sound of that.“I’ll come with you.” He turned in the direction Ms. Birdie glanced, saw Doc, and stopped breathing. Never had he seen a more beautiful woman in his life…ever. Next to her were Ziggy and Isabella.
“Nonsense,” Ms. Birdie said. “You’re here as a single man. She’s here as a single woman. The only time the two of you will interact will be if your numbers align in an activity.”
“Numbers?” he asked.
“You’ll see.” With that cryptic reply, Ms. Birdie floated off in the direction of her newest guest.
Scott forced his gaze off Doc and headed to the bar. If he was to survive the night, he needed a stiff drink and a good spot to survey his competition. Yes, competition. Suddenly every man in the room had the potential of taking Doc from him, and fuck if he would let that happen…yet.
“I’m going to marry that woman,” said a man coming to a stop next to Scott.
Scott turned to see who’d spoken. Fucking Mr. Corduroy.
“And which woman would that be?” Scott asked.
“The beauty in the pink, wearing the tiara,” Mr. Corduroy replied. “The moment she walked through the door, I felt my heart leave my chest.”
Scott managed a laugh and not a growl. “Slow down. I don’t think even love at first sight works that fast.” Did it work that fast?
The guy, his gaze still on Doc, smiled. “It does in my family.”
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Ms. Birdie said, a microphone in her hand. “It is time to commence with the flirtation part of this gala. I’d like to assure each of you that everyone present has been carefully vetted. What does that mean? It means that you’re all considered wonderful candidates for dating. That being said, not everyone is adept at making an initial great impression. Thus, I’d like for all of you to be open to giving one another a second glance after the event is over. To assist in this, each man has five cards. On the front, they’ve been instructed to place their first name and contact information. On the back, they were to list their favorite movie, favorite holiday, favorite date night venue, and their favorite saying. They’ve been instructed to hand out all five cards by the end of the gala. Then they will await your call if you’re interested after this evening.
“Ladies, I’d like to remind you to exercise kindness when a gentleman hands you a card, and if they don’t hand you one, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re not interested. It may mean they’re nervous and they forgot, that they plan to approach you later, or they’re afraid you’re out of their league.
“Now for the rules of the Flirtation Gala. First names only. Show grace to one another as you have fun practicing your flirtation game. And remember everyone is not everyone’s cup of tea and that is okay.
“Men, if you will take a seat in a red chair, the ladies will come and take a seat in a green chair.” She pointed toward two long rows of chairs facing one another. In between each set of chairs was a short screen to block the view of those who sat beside them. “There are no assigned seats. Once everyone is in place, I will explain the rules of Speed Flirting.”
As if they were in a race, individuals scurried to claim a chair. Scott did not. He wasn’t in the mood to speed flirt. Instead, he watched as Doc took a seat across from a man who looked as nervous as Doc had the night she’d tried out a pickup line on a stranger. He’d be in good hands with Doc. She’d treat him gently even if he had no game.
Scott made his way over and stood where Doc couldn’t see him, but he could hear the conversations. Frankie, who had a conflict and couldn’t attend the Gala, had given him strict instructions to keep an eye on Doc and make sure she didn’t fall for some idiot they couldn’t spin as a rake to the public. But to also make sure Doc didn’t blow the whole thing off and not try to land a rake using Scott’s techniques.
“Now that everyone is in place, here are the rules of speed flirting. This event is very similar to speed dating, but instead of getting to know each other, you will spend one minute engaged in flirty conversation before moving to the next person. Gentlemen, you will begin the conversation by offering up your best pickup line. And begin.”