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“It was so hot.”
“Hanna,” Sebastian chided, as I tried to sit up.
“Is it over?” My heart was racing, and I wanted nothing more than to escape from this room, the press of people around us, and the heavy weight of concern I felt.
“The auction? You were only the second person to go.”
“Am I done?” I asked him, the panic rising in my chest.
“Let’s get you out of here and get you something to eat.” Sebastian took my hand and pulled me gently to my feet.
“Are you okay?” Marley asked, her face filled with concern.
“I’m okay. I just need fresh air.”
“If she’s up to it, you know where the date is,” Marley said with a grin.
“What is she talking about?” I asked as Sebastian guided me through the crowd, grabbing my jacket from someone, and arranging it over my shoulders before opening the door.
I gratefully stepped into the night air, pulling my coat tighter around me. The crisp air helped, but I was still hungry and thirsty.
“Here, drink this.” Sebastian handed me a bottled water.
I unscrewed the cap and let the water cool my throat. He led me over to a bench on the porch and guided me to sit. The music from inside was filtering through the windows, and Marley announced the next bachelorette.
“What happened in there?”
“I didn’t feel good. I was so hot. Then I realized I hadn’t eaten lunch or dinner.”
Sebastian texted someone and then tucked his phone away. “Heath will bring you a few crackers.”
“Thank you. But you don’t have to stay with me. You can go back inside and enjoy the evening.”
“I’m here for you.”
I wanted to ask what he meant, but the door opened, and Heath strode out with a sleeve of crackers. “Here you go. Are you feeling better?”
I took the offered crackers. “I think I’m just hungry.”
Heath squeezed Sebastian’s shoulder. “You think she’s up for it?”
I didn’t register what he meant by that.
“We’ll see,” Sebastian said.
Then Heath nodded at him and said, “Take care of her.”
“I’ll be fine. I think I’m going to head home. You can enjoy your evening.” I knew he didn’t get many nights without Ember, and Lori was watching the girls tonight.
“I won a date,” Sebastian said as he relaxed, with his hand over the back of the bench.
I tensed. Had I been out longer than I thought? “You won a date with someone?”
“With the most beautiful woman in the room.”
Cole had won Daphne, and I was the second woman to be auctioned off. What was he talking about?
Thinking I’d missed something important, and not wanting to see him on a date with another woman, I moved to stand.
