Page 60 of Reckless Harmony

Zuri appeared out of nowhere, her clipboard still in hand and a pen stuck haphazardly into her long black curls. “Nope. That honour went to Edna Bakersfield. Walter Angleson bid five hundred dollars for a date with her.”

“Holy shit,” Rayna said.

“Yeah, he got into a bidding war with Ray Franklin over her. I guess they have a pretty big rivalry going on at the assisted living facility they both live in,” Zuri said.

Emma laughed. “That’s awesome.”

“Nix has the highest bachelor bid so far.” Zuri consulted her clipboard. “Carrie Wagston paid four fifty for a date with him.”

“The lady who owns the Sip and Gulp near Falls Park?” Emma asked.

“That’s the one,” Zuri said. She paused and then motioned frantically to James, who looked frozen to the floor as Solomon Whitaker called his name.

“Go,” Zuri hissed. “James, go!”

Wren gave him a gentle push, and with one last look of desperation at Rayna, James stepped out from behind the curtain and walked onto the stage.

“Oh God, I hope he doesn’t throw up,” Zuri said as she watched James stop uncertainly next to Solomon.

“He’ll be fine,” Emma said. “He’s just a little shy, that’s all.”

As Solomon told the guests what their date with James would include, Zuri disappeared down the side stairs, and Rayna glanced into the audience. Or, more accurately, she stared at Stark and Phoebe. After the first half hour of chatting to both Stark and Jasper, Phoebe had clearly chosen her victim, and she’d spent the last hour and a half talking to Stark, that sexy smile permanently in place and her hand grazing his arm and shoulder every few minutes.

Rayna gritted her teeth and told herself to look away. Instead, she continued to watch as Stark bent his head, and Phoebe said something in his ear that made a small smile cross his face.

“I can hear your teeth grinding, you know,” Emma said.

Rayna forced her jaw to relax. “No, you can’t.”

“You’re upset because Phoebe has been flirting with Stark all night,” Emma said.

“No, I’m not. He’s an asshole, and so is she. They’ll be the perfect couple,” Rayna snapped.

Emma didn’t reply, and Rayna sighed. “Sorry, I’m being a dick.”

“You’re not,” Emma said. “Look on the bright side. Phoebe requires a ton of attention. Maybe if Stark starts dating her, he’ll be too busy keeping her happy to bug you about selling your place.”

“Maybe,” Rayna said.

“And the winning bid of two hundred and fifty dollars goes to the lovely emerald-haired Jade! You’ll enjoy dinner and a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the Park with James.”

“Oh my God,” Rayna said as Jade made a soft squeal of excitement before waving at James. “Jade from Brandt Vet Clinic bid on James.”

Looking a little dazed, James waved back before walking off the stage toward the table where the other bachelors and bachelorettes had gathered.

“You’re up,” Emma said.

“Emma, I can’t do this. Not with Phoebe Edwards right there in the front goddamn row.”

Emma took her by the shoulders and gave her a gentle shake. “Yes, you can. Who the fuck cares about Phoebe? High school was a long time ago, and trust me when I say, you’re a million times more gorgeous than her. Go out there, stand tall, and enjoy having a bunch of dudes bid a shitload of money to spend time with you.”

“It won’t be a bunch or a shitload,” Rayna muttered.

“All right, folks, we have one last bachelorette. Now, this was a last-minute change-up,” Solomon said, grinning at the crowd, “but I guarantee y’all will be thrilled to see who she is. Let’s give a warm welcome to the lovely Rayna Abrams.”

“Go, sweetie,” Emma said, gently pushing her as the fundraiser guests clapped their hands.

Plastering a bright smile on her face, Rayna walked out onto the stage and stood next to Solomon. He slipped his arm around her and gave her a quick and friendly squeeze. “Hello, Rayna.”

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