Page 2 of Flame
Chatter breaks out through the room, and women scramble to find seats. Banks and I are nearly trampled as a group of ladies makes a beeline for the front row.
“Let’s … uh, move over here,” Banks says, grabbing my elbow.
I flex my arm, and he promptly drops his hand, looking at me warily.
“Sorry,” he says.
“Good life choice,” I say.
“About that …”
Banks sidesteps Marla, a silver-haired woman pushing her walker across the floor. Tennis balls cover the feet like drag slicks. Head down and shoulders back, she leans into the turn around the corner of the stage before nearly knocking over a small child to take the center seat.
“Have fun getting auctioned off,” I say, turning to leave. “Looks like a good time.”
“Foxx,wait.”
The way he says my name, coupled with how he takes a half step back, has my instincts rippling with anticipation.Something bad is about to happen.
I square my shoulders with his. “What?”
He winces.
“I would like to welcome our four eligible bachelors on stage,” Gloria says. “First, we have Shawn Daze, the surf instructor we all know and love. Welcome, Shawn!”
Cheers ring out from around the room as the first contestant takes his spot next to Gloria.
“Next, we have Chef Miguel Cotto, the reason we all go to La Pachanga,” she says. “Welcome, Miguel!”
The applause grows louder.
Banks rocks back on his heels. “I need to tell you something.”
“Colin Hensley, the firefighter that dreams are made of, is our third bachelor,” Gloria says. “Say hello to our local hero!”
“Better hurry,” I say. “You’re next.”
“About that …”
“And, last, our final contestant. I don’t know how we got this lucky, ladies,” Gloria says. “Please welcome the one and only Foxx Carmichael!”
What?
Cheers fill the air. Everyone in the room fixes their gaze on me. Gloria watches me expectantly.
Oh, hell no.
Banks grimaces, moving even farther away from my right hand.
Everything inside me stills. My jaw flexes, and my teeth grind so hard they hurt.
“Tell me she got us mixed up,” I say, balling my hands at my sides.
“Look, I can’t be in the auction anymore. Sara will kill me. She’s dangerous when she’s mad.”
“And I’m not?”
“Good point.” His eyes dart around the room. “Listen, Foxx, I didn’t think about it until we arrived. I can’t let my girl Gloria down, and none of our brothers can fill in. Maddox has Ashley, Moss has Brooke. Pippa would murder Jess if I volunteered him.”
