Page 5 of Highest Bidder

“Oh shit. What happened?”

“Okay, not exactly stood me up, but damn near. I’m all dressed up with no place to go, because one of his kids is having a dental emergency and Daniel’s ex-wife can’t deal with oral surgery, so he has to be there for them. He feels bad, so he sent a limo to pick me up and take me wherever I want to go tonight. So, now, I have a limo, two tickets to a ball, and no date. Be my date. Pleeeease?”

I am so tired that I want to cry, but I can’t disappoint Callie. It would be like scolding a golden retriever. How could I ever look her in the eye after that? Plus, she never asks for favors. I can’t say no. After a deep breath, I gently try to get out of it. “That sounds amazing, but Callie, I don’t have a dress nice enough for a ball.”

“Everyone has a little black cocktail dress, June.”

I laugh my retort. “Guess I’m no one, then.”

“We’ll figure something out. It’ll be fine.”

“None of my fancy shoes have a heel the right height for formalwear?—"

She laughs. “Is that the best you can do?”

No. The best I could do is to tell you no. But even I’m not that heartless. Still, I don’t want to do this. “It’s been raining all day.”

Silence. Nothing but silence.

“Callie? You still there?”

“It’s been raining all day is your excuse for not going to a ball tonight? I distinctly recall you barreling down the sidewalk for lunch today in the middle of a downpour, June.”

“I was very hungry, and if I don’t hurry in the rain, I get it on my glasses, which you know I hate.”

She giggles. “Here’s what we’ll do. Since you’re obviously reluctant to go, I’ll come over and we’ll go through your closet together to find a suitable outfit. If I can’t find one, then we will order in and watch your favorite scary movies?—"

“You hate scary movies. You only like James Bond films.”

“Yes, well, other adventure movies, too, but I am willing to suffer for you, if you’re willing to suffer for me and go to this thing. But you have to give an honest opinion about the outfits I pick for you. You can’t just say you hate everything.”

I shrug. “I don’t hate what’s in my closet.”

“Good. I’ll be right over.”

“Wait, um?—"

But she’s already hung up. There is no stopping Callie on a mission, and I know I’m getting roped into this. A ball. For fuck’s sake, I’m going to a ball. Mom will be so happy when I call her on Sunday and tell her I went to a ball. I should probably at least talk to a guy while I’m there, so I can give her some hope of grandchildren.

The thought unsettles my stomach, so I grab a ginger ale and crackers before Callie arrives. Then I’m off to my closet to pick something before Callie arrives. The sooner I get in a dress, the sooner this night is over.

-

Chapter 3

JUNE

“What are you wearing?” Callie spits the moment she sees me.

“You said to wear a little black dress.”

“You look like you’re going to a funeral, not a formal.”

“Are you going to critique me from the hall all night?”

She rolls her eyes and walks in wearing a slinky, but classy red dress that hugs her lithe body. “You have crumbs on the boobs of your sweater dress, June.”

“Crackers. They’ll shake off.” I pull at the material a few times, and they crumble to the floor. “See?”

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