Page 45 of Like You Love Me

Again, everyone started talking and laughing at the same time.

“Listen up!” Bianca said, making sure her voice carried over the crowd. “Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, whatever. Make sure before the end of the night you send your money.”

Trace gave Remy a fist bump. “Bruh, get ready to pay up.”

Bianca gave out the account information and watched as they each reached for their phones and began electronically transferring money into the fundraiser account. Beaming with excitement, Bianca turned on her heels and followed Sheyna and Danica out of the room so the bachelors could get dressed. The women stepped out the door, smiling as they exchanged amused looks.

Danica broke the silence. “Ladies, this evening has gotten quite interesting.”

Chapter 11

By seven o’clock, the doors had opened, and just as they anticipated, the women came pouring into the building. Bianca was amazed at the number of locals accompanied by their husbands, but many were spending the evening hanging out with their girlfriends. She struggled to keep a straight face at the number of women dressed like they were going to the club, wearing mini dresses, high heels, and sophisticated updos. According to Sheyna, these women booked every beauty salon in town. Together they snickered and shook their heads at the length that a woman would go through to meet a man.

“Were we ever like that when we were single? Bianca asked as her eyes swept the floor.

Debra answered, “No, we were worse.” They shared a laugh and reminisced on when they were young and dating.

Bianca watched the door and waved at every person she recognized, which was almost everyone who lived in their small town.

“I see a lot of unfamiliar faces,” she murmured.

“That’s because auctions are hot, especially a male auction,” Debra added with an exaggerated wag of her forehead. “Women have traveled far and wide to be here tonight to support a good cause and get their eyes on some delectable eye candy.”

“I see.” Women were taking selfies, posting to Instagram and Snap Chat, and appeared anxious to get their eyes on all the bachelors being auctioned this evening.

Bianca nodded at an off-duty police officer hired for security, checking IDs to ensure attendees were at least twenty-one. Since wine and beer were being served, they didn’t need any underage drinking tonight.

Bianca stepped into the auditorium and walked around the room, ensuring volunteers were in place and no one needed assistance. The bartenders were working the bars at each end. A jazz quartet was performing and setting the mood. Bianca stopped to chat with the vendors. Each were giving a sizable percentage of tonight’s proceeds to the cause and had also donated a basket for the silent auction. She chatted with Amirah, who had donated a large velvet black box with Peek-a-Boo’s logo embroidered on a thick red sash. The mystery alone was sure to drive up the bidding. Even her display in the corner was sure to draw attention. A mannequin was on both sides of the table dressed in jaw-dropping lingerie. Store items were discreetly wrapped in red tissue paper with a white bow and displayed on a table draped with a black satin sheet. Bianca complimented her display.

“Thank you,” Amirah said with an air of confidence that she admired. The beauty wore a red corset paired with wide-leg slacks, black stilettoes and a short bolero jacket. A black masquerade mask complemented the look withblingingcrystaltassels.She is definitely the temptress this evening.Before Bianca moved to the next table, the women made plans to have lunch soon.

As she stepped out onto the auction floor, she saw the guests excitedly looking down at the list of bachelors preparing to hit the stage. Several were pulling out ink pens and circling the ones they intended to bid on in the program. As the room quickly filled, she and Sheyna spent the next half hour smiling and shaking hands with guests and residents to Sheraton Beach. Anticipation was in the air.

Bianca looked to the front of the room and spotted her husband seated at one of the reserved tables with two of his sisters. She walked over to greet them. “I’m surprised to see all of you here.”

“I wasn’t going to miss this,” Camille said.

Her twin sister, Carmen nodded in agreement. “We were already here. London just came over and invaded our table.”

London held his hands up in surrender. “I just came over to see what my baby sisters were doing here.”

Camille gave a knowing look. “We’re here for the same reason as all these other women. We came to see some eye candy.”

“I got my checkbook,” Carmen replied with a wink.

“And I got mine,” Camille added.

London grumbled as he dragged a hand down the length of his face.

Bianca gave a soft chuckle. “Where’s Denise and Mona Lisa?”

The smile slipped from Camille’s lips. “Denise will be here shortly. Mona didn’t want to come out this evening.”

Carmen pinched her lips. “She said tonight is about single women, not her.”

“A few women here tonight aren’t single,” Bianca countered with a sweep of her hand. “But they’re here just for fun and to support a good cause.”

London shrugged his shoulders. “Speaking of fun, I’m going back to the big boy table. Have fun and behave yourself,” he said, pointing a stern finger at the twins. His sisters gave him an innocent look causing Bianca to laugh. London took his wife’s hand and led her to the best table in the room where Jabarie and Brenna were sitting next to Jaden and Jace. London kissed his wife on the lips before he returned to his seat. Bianca’s stood behind his chair with eyes narrowed as they traveled around the table. “I hope we don’t have any troublemakers in the house tonight.”

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