Page 57 of Race to the Beach

Lily sighed.

"She does have a point," Birdie said."You young ladies should go for it.You could even bid on more than one man."

Maxi gaped at the sweet lady, shocked that she would suggest something that sounded just a little scandalous."I, uh..."

"Birdie, stop," Lily said."You've got her blushing."

"Besides"—Agnes spoke up—"she already has her guy."

Birdie's gaze settled on Maxi."Is that true?Are you in love with Owen?"

Maxi swallowed the wrong way and choked.She couldn't believe she'd been asked that question.She thought the tough part of the evening would be bidding on Owen, not sitting at the table before the auction.

As she continued to cough, Lily patted on her back.Coming here was a mistake in so many ways.

Lily grabbed a glass of water from the table and put it in front of her."Here.Have a sip."

Maxi took the glass and sipped the ice-cold water.It helped soothe her cough.At the same time, she could feel everyone at the table staring at her.If they expected her to admit to being in love with Owen, they were going to be waiting a long,long…time.

Thankfully, before Birdie could once again ask her most embarrassing question, there was noise on the makeshift stage.Everyone's attention turned in that direction, including Maxi.

Good.At last, they were getting on with things.As soon as she did what Owen had asked of her, she was out of there.She was going home, um...to her aunt's place, and she was going to lie low and forget this evening ever happened.

"Ladies, welcome to Bluestar's very first bachelor auction.This is such a great idea that I can't believe we haven't done it before now."Aster Bell stood on stage in a little black dress that did nothing to hide her pregnancy."What do you think?Should we make this an annual event?"A few in the crowd called outyes."I don't know.That didn’t seem very enthusiastic.Let's try this again.Should we make this an annual event?"

"Yes!"The cheer was louder.

"Hmm…" Aster said into the mic."Let's do this again.Do we want a bachelor auction every year?"

"Yes!!"The response thundered through the room.

Maxi felt as though she were the only one remaining silent.Even Birdie and Agnes were cheering.

Lily lightly elbowed her.When Maxi glanced at her, Lily gestured with her hand for Maxi to join in the cheering.Maxi really didn't want to, but she also didn't want to hurt her new friend's feelings.And so, she opened her mouth and cheered, although softly.She couldn’t wait until this evening was over.

Chapter Twenty-One

Heshouldn’thaveagreedto this.

Owen looked around at the other men standing behind the curtain, waiting to be auctioned off to the highest bidder.At least, he had Maxi there to bid on him.He’d given her money to bid on him.At first, he’d given her five hundred but just to be extra careful, he’d given her a thousand dollars.There’s no way anyone would bid that much for a date with him.

He glanced over at Mayor Banks, who was one of the bachelors in the auction.He looked pale.“Hey, you feeling all right?”

The mayor nodded.“Yeah.”He leaned over and lowered his voice.“I just don’t want to be here.”

Owen subdued a laugh, since he was certain the mayor had given this event his stamp of approval.Then again that would have been before he found out he was expected to take part in it.

“That makes two of us,” Owen said.

Before he could say more, Aster Bell stepped on stage and gave a welcoming speech.Second by second, it was getting closer to bidding time.He just kept reminding himself he had nothing to worry about.Maxi had his back.Soon this would be over, and he’d be walking out of there with Maxi on his arm.

"And now I want to thank each and every one of these bachelors," Aster said.

This was their cue to file out onto the stage behind her.Owen swallowed hard as he straightened the collar on his white long-sleeve button-up shirt.He’d left the top couple of buttons undone.He’d paired it with dark jeans.This was as dressed up as he got these days unless it was a wedding or funeral.

When he reached his spot on the stage, he turned.He was surprised to find the room was filled to the point that there was standing room only.And the audience was mostly female.

The spotlights on them were bright, so it was difficult to make out the faces in the audience.Still, he squinted as he tried to make out Maxi’s beautiful face.He couldn’t find her.His heart started to beat rapidly.She wouldn’t have bailed on him, would she?

---