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I posed for a few photos on the red carpet before excusing myself and making my way inside. Cocktail tables with crisp white linen were sprinkled around the vast room. Chilled champagne was being passed around on silver strays. A jazz band played upbeat music on the stage I’d be standing on in a short while.
I made small talk with a few guests before heading to the banquet table to load a plate with hors d’oeuvres. My stomach felt unsettled. Maybe it was the whiskey on an empty stomach. I was starting to think Armand had the right idea with a Big Mac. As I made a meal out of the caviar and bruschetta, I spotted my ex-girlfriend. Kiera.
Her long blonde hair was pulled into a tight updo that sat atop her head, revealing the smooth skin of her back that was exposed in a plunging, backless, emerald-green dress. She looked good. Part of me wanted to go to her. We always had fun, but I knew better.
I turned my head to avoid her searching gaze as she looked in my direction. I should have known she’d be here. She was usually at these events, especially if I was hosting. Hell, I probably invited her. I couldn’t remember the guest list. It wasn’t like we ended on bad terms or anything. We’re friendly. I knew she wanted more, but I wasn’t looking to get married any more than she was looking for anything other than my money.
Kiera had already been married and divorced. Twice. To two successful businessmen on the East Coast. Not as successful of me, of course, but successful enough to earn her a decent sum of money. One that most people wouldn’t see in a lifetime. Still, it didn’t seem to be enough for her. She wanted the next big fish, and that would be me.
I heard the auctioneer come on the microphone, announcing the auction was about to begin. I saw my brother and his friends snickering in the corner as they waited for me to take the stage. I was sure I’d be saved for last. Enough time to have more caviar, and another drink.
At the bar, I heard eligible bachelors going for thousands of dollars. Even tens of thousands of dollars. It was ridiculous, but at least we were raising money. The inner city youth clubs would be happy, even if the money was earned in this humiliating way. This wasn’t exactly a kid-friendly type of fundraiser. It was practically escorting.
I heard the auctioneer over the speakers.
“And now, ladies and gentlemen, but mostly you ladies. We have our final bachelor of the night. I’ve saved the best for last. Daniel Jacobs, make your way to the stage.”
I put on a grin that I hoped was convincing and walked up the steps. I saw hands flying up in the air and obscene amounts of money being shouted out quickly. I could hardly keep up with what was going on. After a few minutes, the auctioneer slammed his gavel down and shouted, “Sold!” I squinted out at the crowd to see who my buyer was, and that was when I saw Kiera making her way to the stage to claim her prize.
Chapter 5
Addison
Iwoke up and saw it was still dark out, and wondered what time it was. I was in that weird state where I was curious to know what time it actually was, but scared it would say it was about to be morning. I wondered if I even slept at all with all the tossing and turning last night. Maybe it was because of the combination of Chinese food and wine. It usually made for some strange dreams. However, this time I was pretty sure Daniel was in them.
I rolled over and reached for my phone to check the time. As I picked it up, the glare of the screen was blinding. It was just as I feared: 5 a.m. Now that I knew it was morning and I had to be up in an hour anyway, there was no way I’d be able to go back to sleep, if that was what I was doing anyway.
Sighing, I rolled onto my back and stared at my ceiling. Maybe I couldn’t sleep because I was going to see Daniel again in a few hours. The thought of our meeting sent my heart into high gear. I inhaled a deep breath.
“Chill out, Heart,” I whispered to myself.
Heart was what my family and closest friends called me. An easy nickname, given my last name was Heartly.
I pushed the covers off me and swung my legs so my feet met the cool hardwood floor. The sun’s rays begin to peek out over the buildings in dull orange and pink colors behind the clouds.
I padded to the kitchen and put on a pot of coffee, the smell of freshly ground beans rising up to greet and wake me up. I picked them up yesterday from my favorite coffee shop. The coffee began to brew and I looked through the calendar on my phone. There wasn’t much going on today besides the meeting with Daniel, which was somehow synced in my phone with his. It felt oddly intimate to have our calendars so friendly.
I poured myself a cup of coffee and curled up on the couch. I switched on the lamp next to me, its warm glow covered me and the corner of the couch. I reached for my book on the coffee table. It was a romance novel I’d practically devoured. I had to get love where I could, and for a while now, it had been in the pages of books.
For the next hour, I got lost in my book, turning the pages quickly to see what happened next. I was just about to get to the end when there was a knock at my door. I jumped slightly. Who would be here this early in the morning? I folded the ear of my page before closing my book, and tossed it on the couch.
“Who is it?” I called out.
“It’s me!” my friend Monica called through the door.
Shit. I forgot we said we would go on an early morning run. It was my idea. My stupid idea.
“Coming,” I said as I walked to the door.
I opened it and found her in leggings and a workout top. Her strawberry blonde hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She gave me a once-over in my striped pajamas and furrowed her brow.
“You forgot, didn’t you?”
“I did,” I said, pushing the door open and letting her into my apartment.
She helped herself to a cup of coffee, making herself right at home. As usual.
“I think I was a little tipsy when I came up with the idea,” I admitted.