Page 13 of Love, A Curvy Girl's Guide

"Oh, look at this!" one of them shouted. "Johnson’s buttering up the ladies!"

"Is this who you’ve chosen to bid on you at the auction?" another laughed. "A day with your fantasy fireman fundraiser!"

Haley froze, her mind reeling. "Auction? What are they talking about?"

Ian winced, his face coloring. "It’s nothing—just a stupid fundraiser we’re doing."

But the firemen weren’t done. "Better get ready, Haley!" the third one yelled. "You’re gonna have to fight for him!"

Haley’s cheeks burned with embarrassment and anger. Without another word, she pushed Ian away and stormed into her house, slamming the door behind her. Her hands trembled as she leaned against it, her breath coming in short bursts. She couldn’t believe the nerve of him.

Her phone buzzed on the counter, and she grabbed it, still fuming. "What?" she snapped as she answered.

"Whoa, someone’s in a mood," her friend Verity said on the other end. "What happened?"

Haley groaned, pacing the kitchen. "Ian happened. His stupid friends just humiliated me in front of the entire neighborhood."

"Oh, this sounds juicy," Verity said, her tone intrigued. "Spill."

Haley quickly recounted what had happened, her voice dripping with frustration. By the time she finished, Verity laughed so hard that Haley thought she might drop the phone.

"This isn’t funny!" Haley protested.

"Oh, it absolutely is," Verity said between giggles. "And you know what? This is perfect."

"Perfect? How?"

"You’re going to that fundraiser," Verity declared. "And you’re going to bid on him."

Haley’s jaw dropped. "Are you insane? Why would I do that?"

"Because," Verity said, her voice firm now, "it’s time you got the best of him. Win that date and make him do anything you want. A whole day of Ian Johnson at your mercy? It’s too good to pass up."

Haley hesitated, the idea both mortifying and oddly tempting. "I don’t know…"

"Don’t overthink it," Verity urged. "You’ve been letting him get under your skin for years. Now it’s your turn."

A slow smile spread across Haley’s face as she considered it. Maybe Verity was right. Perhaps it was time to turn the tables.

"Fine," she said, a spark of determination lighting her chest. "I’ll do it."

"That’s my girl," Verity said with a laugh. "Now, let’s make sure you’re ready to win."

As they began planning, Haley felt a sense of excitement building. Ian Johnson wouldn’t know what hit him.

SEVEN

The entire town had turned out for the firehouse fundraiser, an event that combined charity with a healthy dose of eye candy. The firehouse lawn was crowded with folding chairs, a makeshift stage, and food trucks lining the edges. Children ran around with sticky hands clutching snow cones, and a local band played upbeat tunes that added to the festive atmosphere.

Haley tugged at her shirt, adjusting it for the hundredth time as Verity nudged her elbow. "Relax, Hales. You look fine. Besides, no one’s looking at us. All eyes are on the abs tonight."

Sure enough, several firefighters roamed the area in fireman pants, boots, and nothing else. Their chiseled torsos gleamed in the late afternoon sunlight, muscles on display as they mingled with the crowd. The effect was… distracting, to say the least.

"I’m just saying," Verity continued, taking a sip of her lemonade, "if there was ever a reason to burn something in your kitchen, this would be it."

Haley gave her a look. "You know I’m here for one firefighter in particular. And if you could stop ogling the rest of them, that’d be great."

"Oh, come on," Verity said, grinning. "You don’t think Ian would appreciate a little healthy competition?"

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