6. June #3
“No, she isn’t,” Violet argues. “Although considering Ethan…” Her forehead wrinkles. “Let’s put Lexie as a maybe for now.”
“Hey, I’ll take it,” Cobie caves. Pretty sure she’ll take anything right now with how desperate she is. “What about you?” she asks me.
“Me?” I squeak.
“Yeah.” Her smile is nothing but warm and open. Strangely, it reminds me of her brother’s, the last time we spoke. “Will you volunteer? Please, please, please?” She does the same prayer motion as before.
This time, Violet joins in. “Yeah. Please, please, please?” she begs. “Don’t make me volunteer by myself.”
The idea alone is enough to make me nauseated.
Me? Standing on a stage where any Tom, Dick, or Harry can bid on spending time with me?
It’ll be nothing but crickets. Heck, even the crickets might stay quiet.
I’m pretty sure I’ve had a dream or two with this exact same storyline, only my clothes are missing, and the crowd is filled with people pointing and laughing at me.
The prospect of letting it play out in real life? Talk about an absolute nightmare.
“You guys…” I let my words hang in the air, too ashamed to finish my sentence or state the obvious.
If Cobie’s goal is to make money and attract a solid buzz that will bring in not only other volunteers and spectators, but also actual bidders willing to donate money, I’m the last person she wants involved.
Doesn’t she see it? Again, I’m not ugly.
I’m a very cute, very natural woman with a lot to offer, okay?
But only in certain situations, and this doesn’t feel like one of them.
You know, unless they want their night to involve a solid baking session or maybe some sealants on their molars.
Other than that? I’m not exactly their girl.
“You could always invite Fireman Bryan,” Lexie suggests.
“Oooo, yes! That’s perfect!” Violet gushes.
I nibble my bottom lip, considering it. I hadn’t thought of that.
If Violet can invite Jagger, then why not?
Right? I mean, we’ve only been on one date, but he messaged me as I climbed into bed, wishing me goodnight, then again this morning, telling me to have a good day.
It has to count for something, doesn’t it?
Then again, after the billing debacle the first time we met at the office, maybe inviting him to an auction is a bad idea?
Pretty sure he’s tight on cash. But it’s not like he’ll need to outbid anyone or anything.
“You sure it wouldn’t turn him off?” I ask.
“Watching a bunch of guys fight over you?” Lexie returns. “Trust me, he’ll love being the one to claim you.”
The second part? Sure. But the first part? The part about a bunch of guys fighting over me? I think she’s being a little too optimistic. Question is, how do I point it out without sounding like a Pick-me girl?
“I appreciate the vote of confidence, but compared to you two…”
I don’t finish my sentence. It’s not that I’m searching for compliments, and I sure as heck am more comfortable in my own skin than when I was in middle school.
But Violet and Lexie? They’re gorgeous. And I mean gorgeous.
Violet’s thin and wispy, like a fairy or a legit model.
And Lexie? The woman’s a stripper and has curves in all the right places with a snatched waist and an exotic look men salivate over.
Literally. From what I’ve heard, the woman’s tips prove it.
“People will bid,” Violet argues. “Trust me.”
She doesn’t know that. No one knows that.
And even though I’ve gained more confidence in the last year or so than what I’d gathered during my entire childhood, standing on a stage in front of who knows how many people, asking them to pay money for the pleasure of my company feels…
well, like it’s not exactly my cup of tea.
Sensing my hesitance, Lexie adds, “Girl, all we need to do is get you a push-up bra and a low-cut top, and I guarantee you’ll pull in bids.”
“Please?” Cobie murmurs. It’s less desperate this time.
More genuine. “I know we don’t know each other, but I need more than one volunteer, or it’s going to be a very short event.
The idea of proving my dad right feels…” She shakes her head as if the idea alone is enough to leave her gutted. “Please?”
Curse that magic word.
“Fine,” I cave. “I’m in.”
Relief lights up Cobie’s expression, and she reaches across the table. “Thank you…remind me of your name.”
With a quiet giggle, I answer, “June. My name’s June.”
“Thank you, June,” she says. “Seriously, I mean it.” She jots something—I assume my name—into her phone, then looks up at us again. “Okay, perfect. You ladies are awesome, and I owe you one. I’ll make sure to send out details as soon as I have them.” She glances at Violet. “Thanks, Vi.”
“Don’t thank me yet. Your brother’s going to have a field day when he finds out.”
She waves Violet off. “Nah, I’m not worried. Those boys let me get away with murder. It’s one of the perks of being the youngest.” Her grin grows. “Bye!”