The rest of the day progressed way too fast for me as Portia had me meet with a make-up artist and hairstylist before I could even slip into the dress and, one look at myself once I did, even had me swooning. I twirled in front of Portia's full-length mirror in utter amazement at the effect. Wow! Portia grinned from behind me as I sighed in stunned disbelief. I didn't even feel like myself as I touched the elegant up-do the female hairstylist had given me. The dress was everything I had imagined it to be and more. It clung to my upper curves like flowing water while the skirt swirled around my ankles and the beaded rose accentuated the nip of my waist. My hair was pulled up on top of my head in a cascade of curls, and a diamond studded necklace winked up at me from around my neck.
"You look beautiful." Portia whispered as I grinned widely at her before throwing my arms around her neck in appreciation. The door beckoned to me, and I turned to exit it with a flourish. I had an auction to go to, and I felt the butterflies literally turning somersaults in my stomach as I pushed open the door even though I knew the room beyond was empty. Spied was waiting for me outside, and I took a deep breath as I headed toward the limo Darius had reserved for us all. The night outside was chilly and I hugged myself shakily as I first caught sight of Spied and the rest of the gang lounging near the curb waiting for Portia and I before heading toward the event. Spied's jaw dropped to the ground before he hurriedly held out his hand and pulled me into a gentle embrace.
"You look amazing." He said in awe as I stared at the pavement below—too afraid to look up at the one person whose opinion mattered way too much to me. Still looking down, I followed the group into the car as we headed out, and I didn't actually look up again until we entered the building where the auction was being held. Something told me I was in for a very eye-opening night.
Dancers twirled to lively music as we piled in and everyone clapped as Darius motioned for all the men to head up towards the stage in the center of the room. The dancers grew still, and I stifled a laugh as the guys moaned before doing as Darius commanded. Sadie sidled up to me as the auctioneer began to talk in hurried sentences—introducing each man with ease and self-assurance. I knew I was in trouble the moment the auctioneer pointed at Tommy Q. Oh, why did they have to have him go up there near the front of the line? I had been desperately holding out onto the hope that Spied would go first, but now as I watched the announcer grin widely, I suddenly felt Tom's money burn into my naked palm like a brand.
"Okay, now here's our next wonderful morsel for the female fans, and because of his natural good looks and personal charisma, we're going to start his bid at two thousand dollars." The announcer said with a huge grin as she motioned for Tom Quincy to take the stage. I couldn't help but laugh as he walked up the stairs while quirking that sexy brow of his at the female audience, initiating a series of yells, screams, and a monotony of "I love you, Tommy's" as he took a suave bow and stood slightly off to the side of the stage. I'll just bet he was feeling really pimped out right about now. I chuckled as the bids began, flowing across the room like a well-oiled machine—changing gears so fast I couldn't even blink. I was really starting to enjoy Tom's obvious discomfort until I realized, rather belatedly, why Tom was starting to look just a tid bit sour. The higher the price rose, the more bidders had been weaned out until the only two contestants that were left to bargain for Tommy's assets were, to Tom's undulating horror and my own, his two very passionate, very possessive ex-girlfriends—Portia and my sister Sadie. Yikes!
"Ten thousand." The announcer screamed as Sadie brought up her hand in retaliation to Portia's bid.
"Fifteen thousand!" The auctioneer said again as Portia quirked a brow and raised her palm.
"Wow! Twenty-five thousand dollars! Going once, going twice…" The announcer quipped as I gripped the money painfully—fully aware of the bomb that was about to explode in the room as I held up my hand sheepishly.
"Fifty thousand!" I shouted hoarsely as my body suddenly went numb when the audience grew deadly silent. I squinted up at Tom with an expectant, worried look etched across my features as he smiled at me in encouragement. What was I doing? The announcer shrugged as no more bids surfaced before pointing at me merrily. Oh, if only she knew the pain this was causing.
"And the winner is…Jude Harrison!" She screamed loudly as I walked up to meet Tom on the stage. Now, seriously folks, I've heard those words before, just not quite in that context, and I felt suddenly afraid as I saw the anger flying off of Sadie and Spied as I gripped Tommy's hand like a lifeline. If only he knew what I had done for him.