6. June #2
“Exactly,” Cobie beams. “So, what do you say?” Her gaze bounces from one person to the next before finally landing on me. “Want to help a girl out?”
“Uh…”
Lexie lifts her hand, saving me from forcing out a response. “Does the volunteer have any say in what they’ll be doing during the time they’re donating?”
Cobie pulls on the sleeves of her light sweatshirt, bunching the extra fabric in her palms. “I mean, technically, it’s whatever the winner wants. They provide all of the accommodations to make the volunteer comfortable during their service hours, but—”
Lexie laughs. “Yeah, because the people of Harden Heights don’t already have maids and landscapers and everything else.” She leans forward. “You know what this really is, right?”
“What is it?” I ask, feeling so out of the loop, it’s not even funny.
“It’s a dating auction.”
Violet’s jaw drops. “Is it?” she asks Cobie.
The girl has the decency to look sheepish. Tugging at the sleeves of her sweatshirt once more, she folds her arms. “I mean, technically, the bidder has the freedom to request anything they want—I mean, within reason—it’s not like we’re allowing prostitution or whatever, but technically speaking—”
“You’re going in circles, Cobie,” Lexie points out as if they’re already good friends instead of complete strangers.
“Okay, yes,” Cobie blurts out. “Technically—”
“There it is again,” Lexie mumbles.
Cobie casts her a quick glare. “The bidder does have the option of spending their time with the volunteer at a restaurant or at their house or…anything else, really. However, it’s explicitly stated in the volunteer’s contract that there is no expectation of funny business.”
“AKA sex,” Lexie clarifies for everyone. “Got it.”
Yeesh. Talk about a sticky situation. I mean, if Cobie’s goal is to make money, there’s definitely an opportunity here. I gotta give the girl credit for making such a bold choice, even if it’s for a good cause. I also see why she’s struggling to find volunteers. It’s risky as heck.
“Come on,” Cobie begs. “And the best part is all volunteers will be entered to win a weekend getaway to Hawaii as a thank you for their participation. So, see? It’ll be great.”
“Sorry, Cobes,” Violet says. “But as you may recall, I kind of have a boyfriend, so—”
“That’s the beauty of it,” Cobie argues, and honestly, I’m impressed.
Her tenacity is unmatched. “My brother’s a billionaire.
There’s no way he’d let anyone else win a night with you.
Hell, I bet most people would attend just to see the bid play out, and buzz is exactly what this auction needs, you know? Come on. It’s for charity.”
To be fair, she makes a good point. I can only imagine how much money Jagger Harden would shell out if his girl was on the stage for an auction.
Blowing on her coffee, Violet suggests, “Why don’t you ask Jagger to write a check or something?”
“Or better yet, your dad,” Lexie quips. “The guy has more money than anyone in the state—”
“That’s not the point,” Cobie argues.
“And what is the point?” Violet asks. It isn’t rude. It’s honest. Like she’s trying to genuinely understand without crapping all over Cobie’s idea.
“Because this is a test, okay?” Cobie deflates.
“I know how my dad operates, and if I don’t prove that I can bring value to my family, he’ll send me away again.
” Her chest expands on a deep breath. “That’s why I need volunteers.
That’s why I need to make a splash and put together something… eventful. Something that stands out.”
It could work. It’s crazy. And bold. But it could definitely work. She simply needs a few more people to buy into her vision, and it could take off like a rocket. The question is…who? Who will be the first to give their stamp of approval? To help make this girl’s insane plan valid?
“Well, shit,” Lexie mumbles.
“Please?” Cobie pushes. “I need to bring in at least twenty grand worth of volunteers.”
“Twenty grand?” Lexie sputters, her eyes bulging.
That isn’t pocket change. That’s…a lot of money. And she’ll need more than one or two volunteers to reach it.
“Who else do you have?” Violet asks.
“So far?” Cobie grimaces, and I brace myself for bad news. “No one, but as soon as I get one volunteer, it’ll snowball,” she rushes out. “I know it.”
Lexie gives me a look, hinting she’s less than convinced. “And if it doesn’t?”
Cobie’s hands make a prayer motion. “Come on. Please, please, please? Besides, it could be a really fun night.”
“For you,” Violet grumbles.
“Oh, come on. You know it’d be fun to watch Jagger salivate all over you. And can you imagine how good the sex will be when he cashes in?”
“Cobie!” Violet squeals. “He’s your brother!”
“I know. It's gross.” The girl looks like she might actually vomit. “I probably need to work on my pitch, but I’m desperate here. Please? Please help me out?”
Violet’s lips bunch on one side as she stares at Jagger’s little sister. “Fiiiine. I’ll do it.”
“Yes!” She bends down and pulls Violet into a quick hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.” Letting her go, Cobie turns to Lexie and me. “What about you two?”
“Can’t. I’m busy that night,” Lexie starts.
“I haven’t told you a date yet.”
“Still going to be busy.”