Page 74 of Offside Attraction

He held up a hand, cutting her off. “I’ve read the literature. And while the initial data is promising, we’ve seen promising data before. The trouble comes later. Unintended side effects. Adherence issues. Patient affordability. We don’t gamble when it comes to these matters. Our process is deliberate for a reason.”

Rhonda took another sip of water, keeping her breathing steady even as her nerves coiled tighter. “I completely understand, Dr. Mallory. That’s why I work with medical centres. Not just to talk numbers, but to work with your team to address any concerns. Reviact has shown incredible results, especially in patients who’ve struggled with adherence in the past. I’d be happy to arrange a peer-to-peer consultation with prescribing physicians who’ve had success with it. Perhaps that could help alleviate some of the doubts?”

Dr. Mallory studied her for a long moment, his gaze inscrutable. “Could you pass the butter?”

Rhonda nodded, even as her stomach churned with frustration. She picked up the butter dish and passed it to Jordan, who handed it to Dr. Mallory.

And that was that. Her one chance. Blown.

Thankfully, she didn’t have to stew on it for more than a few seconds. A woman’s voice came through over the microphone, and everyone in the room turned their attention forward. Rhonda had never been grateful for an auction before, but there was a first for everything.

“You okay?” Jordan whispered as he turned his chair so he could watch without craning his neck.

She nodded, but didn’t turn to look at him. After a brief introduction, the auctioneer took over. He was an older man with a booming voice and a flair for drama. He started with jokes and instructions that sent ripples of laughter through the room, then began with a series of lavish items that made Rhonda's head spin.

A private wine tour in Napa Valley. A diamond necklace from a renowned local jeweller. A week-long stay in a villa on the Amalfi Coast. The bids flew fast and furious, paddles shooting up like popcorn kernels in a hot pan.

Rhonda watched, her heart racing as she tried to calculate the zeros behind each number. "Twenty thousand," the auctioneer called out for the wine tour. "Going once, going twice—" It felt like they’d all been handed a stack of Monopoly money.

She turned her attention back to Dr. Mallory, who watched the proceedings with calculated interest. Rhonda needed to make an impression, but how? She couldn't outbid these people. Her salary was respectable, but it wasn't even in the same stratosphere as the numbers being thrown around.

The auctioneer introduced the next item, and Rhonda's ears perked up. "Our next item is a weekend getaway at the prestigious Canmore Cascade, a boutique hotel nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. This package includes a two-night stay in a deluxe suite, breakfast in bed, all meals included at their Michelin-starred restaurant, and a couples massage. December twentieth, right before Christmas, folks."

Rhonda's eyes flicked to Dr. Mallory, who leaned forward ever so slightly. His paddle was still on the table, but the wheels turned in his head. This was it. This was her chance.

"Let's start the bidding at two thousand," the auctioneer announced.

Rhonda took a deep breath. She'd never been one to shy away from a challenge, and tonight was no different. She raised her paddle, her hand steady.

"Two thousand, thank you, ma'am. Do I hear three?"

Dr. Mallory raised his paddle. Rhonda's pulse quickened.

"Three thousand, thank you, sir. Do I hear four?"

Rhonda was going to throw up. She raised her paddle again.

"Four thousand, wow, sir, are you going to let her steal that from you? Do I hear five?"

Dr. Mallory's paddle went up with a flick of his wrist.

"Five thousand, thank you, sir. What do you think, little lady? Do you want it for six?"

Damn it. She couldn’t hear over the pounding of her pulse.

Jordan put a hand on her knee. “Rhonda?—”

She brushed it off and raised her paddle. "Six thousand, thank you, ma'am. Do I hear seven?"

Dr. Mallory raised his paddle, and Rhonda's stomach twisted.What was she doing?She didn't have seven thousand dollars to throw around. But she also couldn't back down now. Mallory thought he could shut out the rest of the world and keep his hospital in the dark ages. The way he looked at her, like she was a nuisance, made her want to slap him. Instead she raised her paddle.

“Seven thousand, wonderful! Do I hear eight? Think of all the good this will do, and imagine eating a perfectly seared steak?—”

Dr. Mallory raised his paddle, and Rhonda started to see stars. She couldn’t go any higher or she’d have to take out a second mortgage. The auctioneer looked at her expectantly, but she shook her head.

“How about eighty-five hundred?” He walked up the aisle, but Rhonda kept her paddle on the table.

"Going once, going twice?—"

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