Page 16 of A Package Deal

Eager women packed the ornate ballroom, with its rich burgundy, navy, and gold carpet, and the gold-painted cornices. It was standing room only. Nelie half-listened as the master of ceremonies reminded the women that the money raised would support the hospital and youth programs. Tonight was all about charity and fun. The next bachelor strutted on stage and the women went wild.

CJ Mack was a former Super Bowl champion and the sales director at Alex Preston Athletic Wear for Elite Athletes, or APAWEA, a local athletic wear company that manufactured its products at the old mill. Alex Preston, the owner and creator of the fabric, was CJ’s brother and her friend, London’s, fiancé. From what Nelie heard, the business was more successful than they’d thought it would be, and Alex was looking to expand the mill since they’d run out of room on the sewing floor.A good problem to have, Nelie thought as the bids climbed higher for the handsome, charismatic, former football player.

She recognized several of the other men who came next, but no one matched the winning bid for CJ. His was even higher than the year Wren had been in a bidding war with Michelle Swanson for a date with Miller. Wren had won and now she and Miller had an adorable toddler, Robyn.

“And now our final bachelor of the evening,” the master of ceremonies said, and Nelie’s heart sank when her mail carrier stepped through the curtains.

I missed him, she thought as she worked her way through the crowd.My feet are killing me, my eyes itch, I’m a stuffed sausage in this dress, and it’s all for nothing.Nelie swallowed around the lump in her throat, grateful she’d only had one glass of champagne. She needed to leave. Now. Some lucky woman would spend the night dancing in Chet’s arms and making plans for their later date. She couldn’t watch.

She blinked furiously as she wove her way toward the coat check. A few people waved or called her name, but she kept moving. She’d blown it and she had no one to blame but herself. She sniffled as she dug in her purse, feeling for her coat tag.

“Oof,” she grunted, bumping into something solid. Two warm hands wrapped around her upper arms, steading her. She glanced up and cringed. Chet. Of course.Why won’t the universe give me a break?

Chapter 11

ChetswallowedasNeliebarreled toward him. Even with the dress’s high slit on the right side, he knew it wasn’t built for Nelie’s speed. She looked determined, miserable, and hot. So very, very hot. He knew he should care about the miserable part, and he would, once his eyes finished feasting on her. The dark-blue dress ended a few inches above her knees, with some sort of glittery stuff highlighting the slit and bottom hem. It was also around the edge of the deep neckline, which plunged into the hollow between her breasts, covering it with a fine netting, giving it a sophisticated, demure look. Chet’s fingers itched to trace its path.

He couldn’t believe she was there. Looking like that. When she hadn’t answered his question—or desperate begging—at the ice castle, his hope for them had dimmed. When he hadn’t seen her in the audience, it had died. But she was here. For him.

Her feet must be killing her, he thought, appreciating her sacrifice as he raked his gaze back down her body. She was pretty in her usual uniform of blue jeans, T-shirts, and tennis shoes, but this dressed-up Nelie made his heart race. She veered toward the coat check and Chet jumped into her path. “Oof,” she said, bouncing off him. His hands grasped her arms to balance her. Her skin was warm and smooth under his hands. Nelie looked at him and then at the floor.

“Are you leaving?” he asked, puzzled why she’d get all dressed up, dump several C-notes on him, and then hustle away as the band warmed up.

“I’m sorry. I was late. It’s all my fault. And, well, have a nice rest of the evening,” Nelie blurted, turning out of his grip, but he pulled her closer. She sounded near tears. Chet tilted her chin up, and her eyes shimmered in the light. “I need to—”

“Nelie, where are you going?” Gus asked, hurrying up to them. He was red in the face and breathing hard.

“I need to leave.”

“Why?” he asked.

“I’m not feeling well.” Nelie wrung her hands and looked everywhere but at the men.

“I’ll take you home then,” Chet said.

“You can’t do that. Your date’s waiting for you.” She stepped away from him, teetering on her heels.

“You’re my date.”

Nelie looked at him wide-eyed and her jaw dropped. He’d shocked her into silence. It would be comical if it was happening to anyone else. Chet handed her the slip of paper. “This is what they gave me when I went back to get the information on the winning bidder.”

“But I wasn’t here.” She looked at the note and then at Gus. “Youbought him?” The relief in her voice was palpable and Chet’s heart warmed.God bless, Gus. They had a chance to be athem, thanks to Nelie’s father.

“Darn woman behind the desk. I asked her to write out your information, but she refused. Said I needed to do it,” Gus said.

“But why?”

“Rosemarie showed me the picture, and I had to.” Gus’s breathing had calmed, and his face wasn’t as red. The last thing Chet wanted was a trip to the ER tonight, but given the number of hospital staff that were in attendance, they could treat a medical emergency in the ballroom.

“What picture?” she asked.

“The one Eric posted on the Insta-thingy. Jackson saw it and sent it to Emily, who showed it to Rosemarie since they were sitting behind the check-in booth,” Gus said.

“This picture.” Chet pulled up the Galley’s most recent Instagram post. In it, Nelie stood in front of the fryer, in her heels and her chef coat. Her skirt peeked out of the bottom. The caption readFancy Fries. One night only. Chet wanted a copy of the picture to frame and hang in his kitchen. He wanted to hang another at the Galley near the fryer to remind the staff how beautiful their boss was inside and out.

“Why?”

“It was obvious you were coming here. And hopefully this is the guy you were planning to bid on”—Gus pointed at Chet—“because the sign over the table said all sales final.”

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