Page 31 of Highest Bidder
“Yes, we are, but…” she pauses. “What are you doing? You sound far away.”
“Oh, sorry.” I finish pulling the shirt over my head. “I’mgetting dressed. I just took a shower and wanted to get into comfortable clothes.”
“Oh.”
Her voice is quiet, as if admitting my nakedness made her timid, a part of her I haven’t witnessed before. I like knowing she has a softer, possibly shy side. I wouldn’t mind getting to know that piece of her a bit more.
“So what’s your favorite day of the week?” Her answering laugh makes me grin, as I head into the kitchen to grab a soda from the fridge.
There’s my girl.
“Well, yesterday I would have said Tuesdays, but in a month, I’ll probably say Mondays.”
“Why Tuesdays?”
“Because Manheim Orlando is the auction I can sell cars the fastest, and because”—she hesitates—“never mind. What’s yours?”
“Oh, no.” I walk back to the living room and fall back onto my couch. “Let’s hear it.”
“It’s nothing.” Her voice is getting quiet again.
“Tell me, Hershey.” I’m loving this comfortable feeling I get talking to her, but it’s going to bite me in the ass if I scare her off. I swing my legs off the couch, leaning over, burying my face in my hand. I hold my breath, waiting to see if she’ll answer me or bite my head off.
“It’s because I get to work with you, okay? Even though you’ve been an asshole, you’ve also been fun to work with. Sometimes you’re even nice. But I get to see you, and I like it. Is that what you wanted to hear?” she quips at me.
Her unexpected answer pulls a surprised chuckle out of me. It’s cute when she gets so riled up. But she really just said that. She likes working with me.
“Oh. Ha. Ha. What’s so funny?”
“You’re cute when you’re embarrassed.”
“You seem to see all the bids, and it makes the day flow more smoothly. Don’t read too much into it.”
“Well, seeing you is the best part of my day, too. And I think you should read into it,” I admit. She doesn’t say anything, and it makes me think I might have taken it too far. My mind races, trying to think of something lighter to talk about. “So what’s your favorite sport, or do you not like sports?”
“Wow! Already assuming I don’t like sports?”
“I’m not assuming. I’m asking. Are you the type to watch a sports game, or am I in for many nights of Hallmark movies?” A smile creeps across my face. I already know I would rather watch a Hallmark movie with her than watch a game by myself.
“Well, I actually do like sports.”
“I remember you like playing beach volleyball. Is that all you enjoy watching, or are there other sports that get you screaming at the TV?”
“I love the thrill of live games. It doesn’t matter which sport. I like to cheer obnoxiously, so you may be embarrassed to watch any game with me. Except golf, that’s not for me. But I do love Hallmark movies. So choosing would be hard. I guess it would depend on which teams are playing, to determine whether it overrides one of my favorite movies or not.”
We continue talking until the sun peeking through my curtains slowly goes away. I can’t remember the last time I talked to a woman on the phone this long. She doesn’t hang up until we need to go to sleep. We both have an early morning. The best way to fall asleep is dreaming of Hunter. The even better part? Seeing her shortly after I wake. The more I learn about her, the more I want to be around her. I’m not wasting another second not being with her. Unless she tells me to fuck off, I’m all in.
16
HUNTER
Jess burstsinto my room just as I violently press the snooze on my alarm.
“Good morning!” Jess sings.
Scooting up onto my elbows, I level her with a hard look. “What?”
“Oh, I’m only wondering how last night went.” She plops down onto my bed, bouncing a few times. A smile spreads across my face, and she screeches. “I knew it. Ah”—she places the back of her hand over her forehead, acting as if she’ll faint. “Young love.”
