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Holy shit, that was an adrenaline rush.
The room looks completely different from this afternoon at rehearsals. Tables are scattered around and laid out with white and gold tablecloths and feature small, understated bouquets of white flowers. I couldn’t really see the faces of the people in the crowd, but I don’t think I saw very old people there, thank god.
My heart is beating a mile a minute and I’m sweating. I need a moment to calm down before I go out there again, and my feet are killing me. I just want to take off the black patent-leather heels and get the blood rushing in my chest circulating to my little toes again.
As I’m leaning forward to do just that, I see Curtis walking over to me, and I squeal my delight. I haven’t seen him since this morning.
“You look dashing, Mister Price,” I say, brushing imaginary lint from his shoulder. He’s wearing a tailored black suit and a crisp white shirt with the top button undone, giving him a casual appearance. His hair is styled tall, a little wild and wind-blown, and his eyes look turbulent.
“And you are stunning, Miss Cartwright,” he says, taking my hand and turning me in a circle so he can see me from all angles. If I do say so myself, I look hot. My blonde hair is blown out and falling in waves down to my shoulders, and the makeup artists helped me get the perfect smoky eye. My dress is demure but is tight in all the right places, highlighting my best qualities.
After my final spin, I pull him into a hug and whisper, “I missed you today.”
“Me too. But we’re almost done, right? After tonight, we’ll be free. No more worrying. You and me, Elle. We can be whoever we want to be.”
“Hell, yes!” I say, smiling.
“That is if anyone bids on you, Elle.” Merissa’s high voice assaults my ears and I bite my tongue to keep a scathing retort to myself. Saying nothing will piss her off more than my words ever could.
“Got nothing to say? I thought so.” Getting nothing from me, she turns her sights on Curtis. “How canyoupossibly be a virgin, Curtis?” she says, laughing.
But, unlike me, Curtis isn’t keeping his mouth shut. “Since I haven’t been fucked in the ass yet, Merissa. Got any tips on how to take a cock in the back door? I’ve heard you’re a pro,” Curtis says, winking at her.
Merissa’s mouth falls open and she sputters, “I would never! Where did you hear that?”
“Around,” he retorts before putting his arm around me and turning us in the opposite direction to her. “Later, Barbie.”
We dissolve into giggles as we walk away.
“That was fun but unnecessary, Curtis.”
“You know I always have your back,” he replies, pulling me closer. “She’s had her sights on you from day one. I’m not gonna let her stress you out tonight, babe.”
“Thank you.” I turn my head toward him. “You ready for this?”
“I’m looking forward to it, actually,” he says with a slight blush, casting his eyes to his shoes.
Taking his hand, I say, “It’s gonna be awesome, I promise. Wait until you feel his—”
We’re interrupted by Steven announcing, “Miss Cartwright, you’re next.”
* * *
My pulse hammers in my neck, and the opal is heavy in my hands as I stand in the wings, looking out at the stage and watching Merissa. Her smile is bright and eyes alluring. Her bidding just passed three hundred thousand dollars, but it doesn’t seem like it’s going any higher. I can see her fists clench as the winning bid is called in at three hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Poor Barbie probably thought she’d make as much as a virgin.
Triss smiles and gestures for me to go onto the stage as Merissa comes off. “Smile,” she mouths as I pass her. I paste on the best smile I have as the auctioneer announces me.
“Next up is Elle Cartwright. Miss Cartwright will be graduating from Yale next month with a bachelor’s in accounting. She is presenting a rare black opal. Bidding starts at one hundred thousand dollars.”
Everything feels like a blur. Have I been on stage for a minute or a million years? I can’t register the amount of money being called out. The auctioneer’s words are too fast for me to comprehend. I only hear the climbing numbers …
One hundred and fifty thousand dollars …
Two hundred thousand dollars …
Two hundred and fifty thousand …
Three hundred thousand …
