Page 112 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

“There you guys are,” Cas says, coming around the corner. “Come on in. We’re getting the bachelors set up in a dressing room.”

“Ooh, fun,” Alex says, winding his arms through each of his boyfriends’. “How much do you think we’ll go for?”

“Considering you’re priceless,” Finn, the redhead says, “I haven’t a clue.”

“You are so getting laid later, Ginger Bear,” Alex says around a sigh. “Grizzly, you wanna be in the middle this time or should I?”

Rowan blushes furiously, the men walking out of sight as Brad gives me a grin, hopping a little on the balls of his feet. “Ready?” he asks me.

“As I’ll ever be.”

We follow Brad’s friends down a hall, settling inside a large dressing room with couches and chairs. An attendant gives us a quick rundown of what to expect from tonight’s auction. They’ll introduce each of us, one at a time, before calling us to the stage. We’ll stand there as bidding occurs. And then, before we go, we’ll be given contact information for the winner of our service.

Easy enough.

We’re left with bottles of water as we wait, Brad sitting close enough that we’re connected from hip to knee. His leg bounces some.

“So, Joey,” Alex says, giving me a curious look. “How is it you know our Brad?”

“We met at the gym,” I tell him, leaving it at that since it seems Brad isn’t out with these people yet. I’m not even entirely surewhothese people are. “How did you meet?”

“They worked with Cas before he went back to school for his physical therapy degree,” Brad answers distractedly, looking toward the doorway. “Oh, there’s Jason. C’mon, I need to introduce you.”

Brad tugs me off the couch, and Alex’s eyebrows pop up. Jason, as it turns out, is a slender man, his blonde hair shaggy, his suit looking a touch too big for his frame. Brad lets my hand go to hold out his fist toward his friend. Jason begrudgingly gives him a bump.

“Right on,” Brad says before pushing me forward, as if presenting me. “Birdie, this is my…Joey. Joey Kangaroo, my OG bestie. Don’t take it personally. He just got there first.”

Jason sighs, but he holds out his hand, eyes almost sharp as he takes me in. “Nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” I tell him, shaking his hand.

“Look at you guys,” Brad says, sounding choked up as he tugs the two of us into an awkward hug. “Best buds already.”

“Squished,” Jason garbles.

“Gentlemen?” a woman calls, standing just inside the doorway in an incredibly low-cut, sparkling green dress. “If you’ll please follow me, we’re ready to begin.”

Brad lets us go, and everyone starts filtering toward the door. I can’t help but notice Brad’s gaze on the woman’s chest. Jealousy hits, sharper than I’m expecting, as I wonder if she’s the type of person Brad would normally go for.

“She’s pretty,” I murmur, regretting the words the moment they leave my mouth. What am I even doing?Testinghim?

As if I have that right. We may be…exclusive. But that doesn’t make Brad mine. Not yet.

I swallow harshly at the reminder of the ticking clock over my head. Our month is nearly up, which means I need to figure out how to tell Brad I want to extend our benefits…preferably indefinitely.

Brad only shrugs at my comment, looking nonplussed. “Sure, she’s pretty,” he agrees, shooting me a tiny smile. “But I was just thinking that I like your pecs better.”

Alex’s head whips our way as that pressure inside my chest eases like a quickly deflating balloon.

“Really?” I ask.

Brad gives my chest a loving fondle. “Yeah, man. Not that it’s the outside that counts. I like you for…you. You know?”

Fuck.

“Bub…”

“Sorry we’re late!” a new face says, careening to a halt just outside the door. Another man stops at a much more subdued pace. “We got caught up in…traffic.”

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