Page 6 of Just One Look

“It’s no use.” Devlin understood all too well the thrill of the hunt. As far as he was concerned, for Courtney this was all about winning.

“Stuffed dates?” A waiter waved a tray of appetizers in front of them.

“Ooh.” Liz waved her fingers over the tray until they snatched up a date. “I love stuffed dates.”

The woman held it up to her lips and suddenly Devlin wished he were a date. The idea of Liz’s mouth slowly devouring him was more thrilling than flying on the open seas in a sleek sailboat, or hitting the jackpot in the casino. Man, he needed to get his head on straight. Spinning around, he reached for his drink on the bar at the same time another waiter came by with a tray of caviar and sour cream. The collision sent the tray and the sour cream flying—onto Emily.

The surprised screech that escaped Emily’s mouth sent a shiver up his spine as though someone had run their fingernails down a chalkboard. Her beautiful blue satin gown was dripping with black caviar and white sour cream.

Liz’s “Oh, my,” tumbled over the waiter’s, “I’m so sorry, ma’am.”

The flustered server mumbled something about a wet rag and took off across the room at a fast clip.

“I don’t know what hurts more.” Arms spread wide, Emily stared down at her food draped dress. “That I look like the inside of a blender or that a waiter old enough to be my father called me ma’am.”

“You’re going to need more than a rag. There have to be towels in the ladies’ room. Let’s boogie.” Liz grabbed her sister by the arm and swooped her away.

At that very moment, the MC for the evening announced that this year the live bachelor auction would be starting off the evening’s activities. Paige had mentioned something at dinner the other night that to avoid folks holding back on the silent auctions and other items, saving up to bid on the bachelors that they would auction the few men on the block first.

Devlin looked over his shoulder toward the hall where Emily and her sister had disappeared and prayed cleaning a dress wasn’t going to take very long. A few feet away, he spotted Courtney Miller chatting with the auctioneer. The woman wore a sequined black gown that fit so snuggly he doubted she could sit. Maybe Liz’s idea wasn’t so bad. How hard would it be to trip a woman draped in black sequins?

“Good grief.” Liz stared at her sister’s food covered lap. “I’m not sure this is going to work.”

“We have to try.”

The loudspeakers in the bathroom softly announced the bachelor auction would be starting soon.

“And we have to make it fast.” Emily grabbed several of the white terry washcloths neatly folded on the counter and began swiping at her dress.

“Careful!” Liz grabbed her arm. “Don’t rub it in.”

“I’m trying to rub itoff.”

“I get it.” She grabbed fresh rags and began dabbing at the dress more carefully.

Again, the speakers announced for everyone to take their seats and the bachelors to report to the podium.

“Oh, boy.” Emily glanced up at the speakers on the ceiling. “We’re running out of time. What if we just pour water on it?”

“Why don’t we just strip you down and wash it in the toilet?” Sometimes she wondered where her practical sister came up with such absurd ideas. “Just let me get rid of the bulk of this and we’ll figure out what to do with the rest.”

At that, the MC for the evening began reading the bios of the four bachelors up for auction.

“This is so not good.” Emily shook her head and reached behind her back. “Get me out of this.”

“What?” Liz waved her arms. “You planning on bidding for Devlin in your underwear?”

“No. I’m going to wash the dress.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Liz soaked one of the towels and began wiping at the sloppy skirt. “You could just go out there and bid in a dirty dress.”

“Just what I need. To mingle with the cream of Houston’s society looking like I’ve been dumpster diving.” Sighing heavily, Emily twisted around. “Unzip me. We’re going to rinse off the gunk and then dry it under the hand blower.”

“It could make the stain worse.”

“At least the whole skirt will be the same water-stained color.” Emily twisted her arms over her shoulders. “Hurry.”

As fast as she could, Liz shoved her sister into the nearest stall and helped her out of the flowing gown. “This would have been easier if you didn’t dress like a Victorian lady-in-waiting.”

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