Page 35 of Promise Me Nothing
I shrug, then look at Lucas, hoping to rile him up. “I understand what she was going for, now that I’ve seen him.”
Lucas looks shocked and then I burst into laughter.
The applause fades as Mr. Calloway begins speaking, talking about the different charities that the event this evening helps to support. As much as he seems like a decent guy, he also sounds like someone who enjoys listening to himself talk.
Thankfully, I get distracted when I spot Pier Guy at a table on the opposite side of the room. But then I glance to his right and see his sister, bored next to him.
I can see Lissy when I look at her. Know that she’s feeling that same thing Lissy used to complain about.
“I always feel like I’m on the outside,” she told me once. “Like everyone is a part of something and I’m not invited.”
My heart pangs for Ivy.
When the Calloway guy finishes speaking, people begin standing. I glance around, then look to Lucas, confused.
“Wanna go check out the auction?” he asks, folding his napkin and setting it on the table next to his plate.
I nod, realizing that the dinner is over and the auction part is beginning. “Yeah. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Lucas smiles and then heads off to the gallery that connects to the dining room, a large space that looks to be filled with tables covered in stuff to bid on.
I stand from my own chair, and head in the direction of Ivy and Pier Guy.
I really do need to find out his name.
When Ivy sees me heading in her direction, she lifts up slightly in her chair, her expression morphing into a small smile. I connect eyes with Pier Guy, briefly, but keep my attention focused on his sister.
How are you enjoying dinner?I ask her.
It was okay. I hate coming to these things. But mom says it’s important for me to ‘get acclimated’, or whatever that means.She rolls her eyes.
I smile.Did you try that liver thing?
Ivy shudders.No way. That looked so disgusting.
Right? You couldn’t pay me to eat that. So gross.
We both laugh.
Wanna go with me to check out the auction? I don’t even know what I’m getting myself into, and I’d love to have someone who knows what’s going on in there to explain things to me.
Ivy pops out of her chair, beaming.Absolutely. Let’s go.
I catch Pier Guy’s eyes for another moment as Ivy leads me away to the gallery room. I give him a little wave.
“I’ll see you later,” I say, and enjoy the soft smile and nod he gives me in return.
Then I head off with Ivy to the auction.
I’m Hannah, by the way. Your name is Ivy right?
She nods, then loops her arm in mine and leads me into the auction room.
Ivy spends a few minutes explaining everything to me. How the bidding works. How the room is organized, with the smaller items to the right and more expensive items to the left.
Naturally, we walk to the expensive stuff first, and my mind practically explodes when I see it.
Will someone really buy a boat tonight?I ask her.
