Page 48 of Like You Love Me

Jaden, who was aware of the issues she had been having with Caleb, gave London a knowing look. “Family sticks together. You sure you don’t need back up?”

London shook his head and twisted the corner of his mouth downward as he said, “I got this. Just let my wife know I’ll be back later.”

“Will do,” Jaden said and watched him hurry for the door.

Bachelor number eight was making his way onto the stage. Bianca grinned across the room at Danica. This night was going better than she had imagined. Eight thousand dollars for Rush.Really? When one of their assistants made her way over to the curvy woman who had closed the bidding, Bianca noticed the beauty was Rush’s assistant, Sinfany.

“Cousin, you are so sneaky,” she said under her breath. Rush had found his way out of dating a stranger. “But thank you for the eight grand.” She walked over to compare notes with Sheyna as the firefighter strutted across the stage, wearing his uniform pants, boots, and helmet. He was not wearing a shirt, and his body glistened like the sun was beaming overhead. “What happened to his tux?”

Sheyna replied, “I guess he wants to feel comfortable.”

The women liked it. They were howling and screaming like they were at a rock concert. Bianca’s eyes shifted over to her mother. Jessica was doing her best to act like she was appalled, but Bianca saw the upward tilt of her lips. Her mother’s two friends, both wealthy widows and well-known cougars in the community, were having the time of their lives. Bianca and Sheyna shared a knowing look. With a giggle, Bianca decided it was time to circle the room and assist where needed.

In between bachelors, winners of the silent auction were being announced, which included weekend getaways and gift baskets. Bianca had even scribbled in her bid on several items. While she walked across the floor, she looked up to see the MC holding Peek-a-Boo’s black velvet box, announcing the bidding had closed at one thousand dollars. Debra and Bianca exchanged looks and mouthed in unison, “Damn.” She would have to remember to ask Amirah, what was inside.

Bianca had reached the other side of the room when she noticed Collin sitting in one of the rows of chairs to the right of the tables. Her shoulders tensed.What the hell was he doing here? Her eyes zipped to the head table to discover London was gone. What if London had seen him? Bianca quickly scanned the room and was relieved to find her husband was nowhere around. Collin must have sensed her hard stare because his gaze shifted in her direction. Frowning, she signaled with a wave for him to join her. Bianca rounded the corner and headed down the corridor into one of the open administrative offices. While she waited, her chest tightened with anger. How dare he come here tonight? Collin finally stepped into the room and pushed the door slightly shut behind him.

Bianca drew a deep calming breath before saying, “What the hell are you doing here, Collin?”

He had the nerve to shrug as if it were no big deal. “I know one of the bachelors. I heard you were one of the hosts for the event, so I thought I’d show up and see if you talked to your husband.”

“No, I haven’t,” she snapped. “I told you I would let you know.”

“Listen, Bianca, I can understand your apprehensions, but this has been going on long enough.” He hastened to explain. “I see my daughter every day, and I want to be able to tell her I’m her father.”

Anger tightened her stance. “She has a father. His name is London Brown.”

Collin’s laughter was sad. “I understand you’re worried about hurting your husband’s feelings. But what about my feelings?”

“Are you kidding me?”She spat and paused to peer into the hallway, making sure they were alone before she swung around and said, “Seven years ago, you weren’t even thinking about that little girl. Now, suddenly, you want to be in her life and expect me to drop everything to make it happen.”

“She’s my daughter. Myonlydaughter. I made a mistake, and now I want to be in her life. I’m sorry if that upsets you, but enough is enough, Bianca. She has a right to know.”

She will never admit it to him, but yes, Sierra did have a right to know. She didn’t want her daughter to grow up with resentment because they had kept the truth from her. Only, she had hoped for Sierra to be older before they had that conversation. She had to talk to London. Heat washed over her at the thought of breaking the news to him. He would be hurt and pissed that Collin wanted to step in and take his spot as Sierra’s father.

What other choice do I have?

“Okay,” Bianca replied with a sigh of resignation. The choice had been taken from her when she spotted Collin in the school gymnasium. “I will talk to him on Sunday,” she added with a shaky breath and hurried out of the room. Collin headed toward the exit while she went to the ladies’ room to pull herself together. Time had run out, and there was no more stalling. Bianca wasn’t sure how long she hid in the stall before drawing a deep breath and heading back to the auction. When she stepped into the room, she found Sheyna and Debra sitting at the room’s rear. She walked over and lowered into the chair beside Sheyna, and released a sigh, relieved to be off her feet for just a few minutes. Trey was out on the stage palming a basketball, and the women had gotten rowdy with talking and whistling all at once.

Bianca leaned over and said close to Sheyna’s ear, “We’ve shattered last year’s record. I betRomella Glennwill officially hand over this auction to you.”

“I know,” Sheyna replied with a scowl, but Bianca could see the pride in the tilt of her head and shoulders. “This was fun.”

Debra, who sat on the other side of her, nodded in agreement. “Yes, it was.”

Bianca agreed. Bachelorette auctions were fun, but men were the bigger draw. The room was filled, double from last year. Next year, they would need a larger venue or return to the Beaumont Hotel.

Bianca looked up at Trace sauntering across the stage, and anyone could see he was used to being the center of attention. The bids climbed and quickly became a competition to be on the arm of the NBA player. There were bids also being submitted over the phone through representatives raising numbered cards in the air. Trace ripped off his jersey, displaying his firm abs and tattoos. He started popping his pecs like the actor Terry Crews and the crowd went wild.

Sheyna nudged Bianca in the arm. “Look at your mom.”

Her eyes shifted toward her mother holding Widow Bailey’s card in the air, while her friend tried to take it away to no prevail. The bidding climbed and then slowed until it was just Jessica and a caller on the phone competing.

“Fifteen thousand dollars!”

Her mother lifted the card again, increasing the bid to fifteen-five before Widow Bailey finally managed to snatch it away. Bianca and Sheyna released a peal of laughter.

“Fifteen thousand five hundred going once… twice… sold to the women in front,” the auctioneer announced with a hard slam of the wooden gavel. The room exploded with applause.

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