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“Here’s what I figured out from the emails and comments on social media. Guys are tired of online dating apps, and they feel like they can’t talk to a woman in a coffee shop or on the street because everyone has earbuds in. You can’t just strike up a conversation in the grocery store anymore,” Marley said as the stylist blew out her hair.
“I hadn’t thought of it like that. But I don’t wear earbuds.”
“Your heart has been taken for a long time. You haven’t been open to the idea of finding someone until now,” Holly said gently.
I frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Sebastian. We all thought you’d end up with him.” Before I could protest, she continued. “This is the first time you’ve made an effort to meet someone.”
“I’ve dated.” I chewed my lip nervously. If it was obvious to the girls, wouldn’t Sebastian already know? It was telling he hadn’t made any kind of move.
“Not seriously. Can you be honest with yourself? How many of those guys did you give a fair chance to?”
I thought back to the last few dates. I’d gone on them because my friends bugged me to go. I’d looked for things that I could label as a red flag. One had just broken up with a girlfriend. He was just getting out of a serious relationship. He wasn’t a good bet. Another one jumped from one job to another. Instead of thinking he wanted to find something that fulfilled him, I assumed it meant he couldn’t commit. “You might be right.”
I could say I wasn’t ready to meet the right guy. But the truth was more like I had already found someone I felt potential with. The only problem was—he didn’t want me.
Holly reached over to squeeze my hand. “I’m proud of you for putting yourself out there.”
“I could say the same about you.” I opened my eyes as the makeup artist stepped away.
“I’m nervous about this. I’d like to meet someone, but I’m not sure I’m ready to be with anyone seriously,” Holly said.
“This is for fun. A test run, if you will. Maybe you’ll meet someone. Maybe you won’t. No pressure,” Marley said.
“That’s easy for you to say. You’re not being auctioned off to the highest bidder,” I said to her, but my tone was light.
“True, but it’s all in good fun.” Marley’s hair was curled at the bottom, and her lips were red and pouty.
Talk turned to the farm and the holidays, but all I could think about was whether I was making the right decision. Should I have told Sebastian how I felt?
When my hair and makeup were done, I stood with shaking legs and changed into the dress I’d picked for the evening. Marley had assured us we’d be standing on the stage while the guys bid on us, but it would be classy.
Admission for the event went to the farm, but the money from the auction went to a local animal rescue.
We drove over to the barn where the event was being held. When it was ready to start, Marley stood at the podium and thanked everyone for coming. “We want to have a fun night, and I hope you enjoy the farm this evening. Even if you don’t win a date, you’re free to walk through the light display. You can buy a tree this evening, too.”
I was pleased that tonight wasn’t solely focused on the auction, but it was the main event. Nerves crept up again as Sebastian approached me. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
I laughed shakily. “I’m rethinking this whole thing.”
He nudged me with his arm. “You wanted to date. This is the perfect opportunity.”
“I keep telling myself that.” But something had been bothering me all week. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wasn’t a good idea. That I should have talked to Sebastian about how I felt instead of ignoring it and hoping it would go away.
The first woman went onto the stage, and the bidding began. Daphne smiled the entire time and seemed a little uncertain about men bidding on her.
Cole approached us to ask, “Who is that?”
“Her name’s Daphne. I think Marley said she’s the baker from that nearby farm you were talking about one day. Everyone loves her pies.”
A shadow passed over Cole’s face. “She works at Pine Valley Farms.”
“Is that a bad thing?” I asked him.
“It’s our competition. They’re a smaller operation but closer to town, so they get more traffic than we do.”
“I didn’t realize.”
