Page 12 of Attraction & Repulsion

“I am so sorry. I had an emergency cavity filling at work. I got here as fast as I could,” Raegan apologized.

Carson plastered a smile on her face. “It’s fine. Where’s Hunter?”

Raegan adjusted her plunging neckline—a little too revealing, in Carson’s opinion—pulled out a tube of pink lipstick from her purse, and started applying it while she spoke. “He drove separately since I was running late. He should already be inside and checked in.” Then her eyes focused on something behind Carson. “Speaking of handsome firemen up for auction . . .”

Carson turned to find Jax strolling up the main pathway between a few couples.

“Jax!” Raegan yelled.

Having only seen him in casual clothes Carson’s breath caught when she saw him in black tie. His short beard was tidier than the last time she had seen him at the consultation three weeks ago. Carson didn’t understand how his dark hair could appear harmoniously unruly and professionally styled at the same time. Her heart stammered in her chest. Maybe this event wouldn’t be as awful as she had thought.

Jax looked around, trying to find who called for his attention when he spotted the two friends. Recognition flashed across his face.

“Mr. Hoover, long time no see,” he said as he approached them. From the corner of her eye, Carson caught Raegan curiously tilting her head.

“Are you part of the auction too?” Carson asked.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Unfortunately.”

Now that he was closer, Carson noted how stiff the fabrics of his suit were. No signs of wear and tear. No dust smudges. Not even a speck. Luke always had some sort of stain on his clothes. It annoyed Carson beyond reason. Either Jax was an absolute clean freak, or he had just purchased this ensemble.

“You are the sexiest bachelor in all of Arizona,” Raegan said. “The ladies will be fighting over you. Now get inside. You’re going to be late for check-in.”

After surrendering their tickets, Carson and Raegan were ushered intothe grand ballroom. Wide swooping canvases hung from the ceiling, giving the illusion of a large outdoor tent. Dozens of tables covered in black-and-white tablecloths filled a majority of the great room. The effect reminded Carson of a checkerboard. Centerpieces, stained glass and metal intricately forged to take on the shape of a flame, rested in the center of each table. A flickering light illuminated from within making the colors of the glass sway and dance. A band of strings and winds produced classical melodies that drifted about, filling any empty space. It felt extravagant and cozy.

Raegan pointed to one of the last empty tables. “Over here.”

They were only seated for a few seconds before a server stuck a silver platter filled with skinny glasses and exotic hors d’oeuvres underneath their noses.

“Something to eat or drink?” he offered in a nasal voice.

“Yes, please,” Raegan enthusiastically answered, swiping one of the tall glasses. The server picked up a pair of miniature, silver tongs and pinched a few of the morsels—morsels which Carson couldn’t identify, let alone recognize as edible—onto the plate already placed in front of Raegan.

He turned to Carson. “And for you, ma’am?”

The waft of alcohol accosted her nose, her stomach spasming. Never again. “No, thank you.”

As the young man pivoted, Raegan snatched another glass off the tray. “She still wants this.”

Sometimes Carson believed Raegan enjoyed having a sober friend. If only she knew the reason why Carson had chosen sobriety . . .

“Who are these smoking hot ladies?” Hunter slipped his big frame into the chair on the other side of Raegan. Like Jax, he wore a suit, only instead of a black bow tie, he had a thin turquoise tie that complemented Raegan’sdress, which had no doubt been her doing.

“I hear you’re a bachelor tonight,” Carson said.

Hunter rubbed a hand through his auburn hair, ruffled it a bit, then smoothed it over before leaning an arm on the table. “I’m a happily married man who has no idea why his wife wants to pimp him out.”

Raegan waved her hand dismissively. “I’m thinking of the children and all the money you’re going to raise for them.”

“Uh-huh.” Hunter placed a hand on his wife’s shoulder. “Before it starts, I want to introduce you to someone.”

As Hunter and Raegan disappeared into the crowd, Carson continued to observe the variety of people around her, impressed at how well attended the event was. She wondered if it was like this every year, or if it was because this year’s live auction consisted of hot firemen. Additional stewards drifted around the room, serving those who were waiting for the main event to begin.

“Is this seat taken?”

Jax had come up from behind, gesturing to the chair next to Carson.

Butterflies. Little, tiny, cliché butterflies whirled in Carson’s gut before immediately turning into culpable moths.

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