Page 413 of The Doctors Will See You Now

We made our way to the front of the room and sat down in two empty chairs that faced what I assumed was the auctioneer’s podium. A few people chatted around us while they munched on pepperoni pizza and cookies.

“Not gonna lie,” I whispered, and Nick’s gaze met mine. “When I pictured this auction, pizza boxes and cans of Coca-Cola weren’t in my visuals.”

“So, it’s even better than you expected?” he asked with a sarcastic grin, and I laughed.

“Obviously. I mean, nothing gets you in the mood for an auction like a pizza party. Hell, maybe you should start having pizza parties before brain surgeries.”

He grinned. “Good idea. I’ll bring that idea to the Board on Monday.”

“Good afternoon,” the auctioneer announced into the mic, and both Nick and I redirected our focus to the podium. But, unfortunately, after those first two words, I couldn’t understand a fucking thing the man was saying. The words fell from his lips at such a lightning-quick pace, I couldn’t comprehend a single thing.

My heart started to pound inside my chest as anxiety clamored into my veins.

And the man, well, he kept talking words my brain couldn’t translate quick enough.

Did the auction already start? I wondered silently as I glanced around the room, trying to find some kind of insight into what was happening.

While he continued to speed-talk, someone clicked on the projector, and the giant white screen behind him showed Lot Number One. My house.

Holy hell, was I supposed to bid now?

And seriously, why did auctioneers talk so fucking fast?

Words continued to fly from his lips, and all I could focus on was the picture of my house on the projection screen. I wanted that house so bad. I needed that house. I didn’t want anyone else but me to get that house, goddammit.

What if he was auctioning off my fucking house right now, and I didn’t even realize it?

Panic tripped inside my chest, and my hands to started shake.

I can’t lose this house! my mind shouted, and eventually, anxiety took over.

“Two hundred thousand!” I shouted and raised both of my hands at the same time. “I’m bidding! Two hundred thousand!”

A shocked, howling laugh left Nick’s lips, and the auctioneer paused midsentence to look at me in absolute confusion.

With one strong arm, Nick covered my raised hands and gently pushed them back down to my sides. “The auction hasn’t started yet,” he whispered. “He was just letting everyone know that there was still pizza and cookies in the back.”

“What?” I blurted out. “Did I just bid two hundred thousand on pizza?” I looked at the auctioneer in horror. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry, sir. I guess I’m a little nervous.”

The auctioneer chuckled into the mic. “It’s okay, hun,” he said, slow enough for me to understand. “Not the first time that’s happened.”

I wanted to say, “It’s because you talk too goddamn fast!” but bit my tongue. There was no advantage in pissing off the guy who ran the whole show.

Nick wrapped his arm around my shoulder and tucked me into his side as his soft chuckles settled down. “How about if I let you know when it’s time to bid?” he asked, and immediately, I nodded.

“Yes, please,” I whispered. “I can’t understand any-fucking-thing he’s saying. Either he’s talking faster than the speed of light, or I’m just too nervous to focus.”

He smirked and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. “I’ll give you the play-by-play, okay?”

God, he really was the best. Supportive. Kind. Caring. And always looking out for me.

How did I get so lucky?

“Thank you.”

“Let’s begin!” The auctioneer tapped his gavel on the podium before starting into his long-winded, nearly musical diatribe of words I still couldn’t comprehend. He could have been selling flying toasters, and I wouldn’t have had a clue.

“Okay, he’s talking about your house,” Nick whispered. “He’s opening up the bidding at two hundred thousand. Go ahead and bid.”