by Jamie Knight
Well, well, well… I think to myself. If they can get auctions started up in that small, conservative town, then I have high hopes for what could happen here in Pittsburgh!
I hurry to ask if he has connections to auctions in Pittsburgh or a way to get some started up. I can hear a keyboard clicking in the background, but Brian says he’ll see what he can do. I am so relieved to hear that.
I feel a little more relaxed as I hang up the phone. I really hope that Brian will come through with something for him. I would invest whatever I need to make the auctions happen here.
It needs to happen to alleviate the boredom of being here. Plus, I need to meet some new women. I'm not going to get stuck with Karen, and I don't think the woman of my dreams is showing up anytime soon, so an auction seems like a good way to go. Probably the only way to get things done.
I'm not saying there aren't pretty woman here, there are, but in their own way. I mean they just don’t appeal to my specific style or tastes. I force myself to get off the couch and get some more work done.
I sigh because I feel like there has to be more to work. I mean, I need a break from it, and a way to relieve some stress. This isn’t like me, as I usually throw myself into work, but my head isn’t in the game.
As I start to plan things out for the next day, I hope that we can start up these auctions soon. They would be the perfect distraction from work. I'm sure others would be interested in them too – they would have to be crazy not to. That would mean good business for everyone.
Chapter 6 - Jocelyn
The next day I'm busy at the bakery, setting up for another busy morning. I'm happier because I have noticed my sales have been doing well. However, when I run the numbers in my head as I need the dough for the cinnamon buns my customers love so much, I know that I won't have anywhere near enough to pay my uncle back within three weeks.
That would be a whole lot of cinnamon buns, I think to myself, and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
I need to calm down and talk to someone. I'm going to get all emotional if I keep trying to figure this out on my own.
I decide to call my friend Tammy from high school. She was also into baking and owns her own bakery back home. She stayed in Bloom after graduating from high school, but we’ve stayed in touch, of course. We weren’t best friends in school, but we’ve grown closer due to our shared profession.
So, if there’s one person I can ask for tips and tricks about how to make my bakery better, it's her. I mean, mine already has loyal customers and they like me and the food I make, but that alone won't help me make enough to pay my uncle back.
Tammy answers right away, happy to hear from me, and she and I talk for a while. We reminisce about high school and share a few laughs. After a few quick updates on each other's lives since then, I finally get around to asking her to help with my business. She is eager to help, which I’m grateful for.
“Why don’t you open it up to catering and event hosting?” she asks.
“I like that idea,” I tell her. “There are always a lot of things going on around town, but I don't know that many people.”
She is quiet a moment, then says, “Well, I know of another way to make money, but I’m not sure that you’d like it.”
“Well, that sounds intriguing,” I tell her. “Now I have to know what this opportunity I might not like is all about!”
My humor hides my racing heart, which contains a mixture of excitement and fear. I shouldn’t be so curious that I ask about this apparently taboo thing that Tammy has in mind.
But it seems like fate that this opportunity has arisen just now. I'm so desperate that I'm open to all suggestions at this point, so I agree to listen to her idea with a mixture of hesitation and excitement.
Tammy explains to me that she has hosted an auction at her bakery, where billionaires buy women. This is the way that she met her boyfriend Brian. Before I even have a chance to be shocked, she says that Brian told her that there is a contingent of his tech company that is in Pittsburgh and looking to go to such an auction.
I can’t believe it. I'm in total shock right now, but I have to be honest. So I tell Tammy that I really don't think that I can do it. Secretly, I have a much different opinion. I'm actually getting wet and thinking it sounds hot.
What an interesting and fun way to meet a guy. It’s important for my sake that I keep this opinion to myself, though. I don’t trust such wild thoughts. I need to mull them over privately before I go around announcing them to the world, or even to my friend who is the one who has proposed them.
“I understand completely,” Tammy says. “But let me just say that you don't have to actually auction off anything. You get a fee just for hosting the auction, because they are looking for places to have it. That amount of money would be plenty to get your bakery plans off the ground. And if you do decide to auction anything off, it could be something as simple as a dinner date. It doesn’t have to be, you know, going all the way, or anything close.”
Hmmm, now we’re talking, I think.
“So, if I were to host the auction at my bakery, then I would get a hostess fee, just for having it here?” I ask, incredulous and trying to make sure my understanding is correct.
Because if it is, this is a really good deal!
“Yes, and it’s a pretty hefty one at that,” she says, “of somewhere around $100,000.”
“What the hell!” I exclaim, truly unable to contain my disbelief.
This is more unbelievable than her telling me about the auctions in the first place. That amount is more than twice what I owe my uncle. Not only would it get me out from under that debt, but it would also give me money to get my own place for Maxim and me. We would finally stop being a burden on my kind Aunt Barbara.
Without hesitation, I tell Tammy that I’ll do it. Host the auction, that is. I’ll think about anything further – even just dinner – in my own sweet time.
“Great,” she says. “I’ll talk to Brian about it.”
She’s mentioned this Brian guy that she’s with, but I’ve never met him. He’s new to Bloom, but she was completely swept off her feet by him, apparently. He’s rich, smart, handsome, successful, and completely devoted to her – why can’t these things ever happen to me?
She says they can make all the arrangements and call me back in a few days. After I hang up the phone, I go back to baking. I'm anticipating having another busy day, so I want to make sure that I have extra batches of everything in stock.
I can’t help but keep thinking that I made a good decision by going through with Tammy's idea. It seems like a quick and easy way to make the money that I need. Though it's an unusual method of going about fundraising, I really see nothing wrong with it.
I don't know why I was hesitant about it on the phone. Probably because it’s something that I wouldn't usually do.
I've never been the type of girl to do wild and crazy things. But desperate times call for desperate measures and all of that – when you’re in a situation like I’m in, sometimes you have no choice.
As I continue baking, I start to have doubts and second guess myself. I wonder if I should have talked to someone else before agreeing to host this crazy auction.
But who would I have asked?
There is always Aunt Barbara. I can always count on her when I need an honest opinion about something. I decide that I'll think about it. She has a lot on her plate right now and I don’t’ want to worry her with any more of my problems.
Plus, it’s a bit crazy of a thing to discuss with my aunt, even if she’s been open-minded and understanding about me being a young, single mom. This billionaire auction thing would be something else entirely!
Eventually I stop worrying about it and lose myself in baking, which is one of the many things I love about it.
Before I know it, it’s time to open the store. I have a good number of customers coming in today, just like yesterday. By closing time, I can’
t wait to go home and curl up on the bed next to Maxim. Though I won’t get much sleep, it'll be nice to lay down for a few minutes at least.
As I lock up for the night, I worry about my son. I hope he wasn't too much of a handful for Barbara tonight. I'm eager to get home and see how he is doing, and relieve her from her babysitting duties. Even though she always says she’s a willing volunteer, I feel bad.
Plus, I miss him – and I miss her. I’m grateful she stepped in to help me, since my own mother thought me unfit.
As I drive home, I feel how tired I am, down deep in my bones. I force myself to think about what Tammy said – that this opportunity will make me a lot of money, and that’s exactly what I need right now.
I was shocked that I found the idea so exciting. My mind wanders as I think about the things that might take place at an event like that. I feel myself blush and try to think of something else.
I imagine the delight I would feel at getting the hostess fee. The look of shock that would cross my uncle's face once I paid all his money to him like that. It makes me want to do it even more. I could find excitement and give Maxim and me the life we both need and deserve.
I’m suddenly anxious for this auction to happen, even though I was originally scared. I’m impatient to make money and see what it’s all about.
The thought crosses my mind that I might meet my own handsome billionaire there. But I push it back to the corners of my brain, telling myself that’s too much to hope for. I’ve never had any luck with love or sex.
Let’s just stick to the money-making goals, shall we? I told myself, as I finally arrived home, still looking forward to seeing my son, my aunt, and my bed.
Chapter 7 - Derek
A week later, I walk into the bakery where the auction is being held. I was surprised that Brian was able to pull something together so quickly. He’s putting me in charge of this auction, since it’s located in my city.
As I walk into the bakery and look around, all I can think is that this is a strange place to have an auction. I guess that's what happens in a place like this where there’s no billionaire auction club established, though.
Back in California, we always held them at a fancy dinner club. Still, I can’t really complain about the surroundings because I know that beggars can’t be choosers. I also really want this auction to happen, so I'm grateful that we could hold it in any place, really. Location isn't really important; it’s more the idea of actually having the auction that really interests me.
We desperately needed something like this over here. Sometimes it's so frustrating being away from the San Fran. Although Pittsburgh isn't really that small, the entertainment here isn't exactly booming. Especially if you have different tastes than everyone else.
One plus about this place, though, is that it smells delicious. Like freshly baked cinnamon buns.
I was so happy when Brian called me back the other day that I would have fucking jumped for joy if I was that type of person. I couldn't believe my ears when he said that he just happened to know the perfect place and perhaps even a girl in town. Apparently, his lady’s friend lived in Pittsburgh – what a great coincidence.
Finding the place and the girl is killing two birds with one stone, in my book. It also makes the rest of the process a whole lot easier.
It's crazy how things turn out like this when we’re least expecting it. And I was so relieved to hear that they could. Brian took care of all the details and talked to the company that runs the auctions back home – called Love in San Francisco.
They told him that they were going to arrange for some girls to be found locally or flown into Pittsburgh for the auction. This is all happening really fast, and I'm glad it is. I owe Brian a huge thank you for taking care of everything.
I have invited several of the guys from my tech team to join me tonight. I'm feeling kind of irritated about that now, though, because even though we are all mingling about, they keep asking me what kind of crazy place this is.
I seriously am starting to regret bringing them; I have no idea how this is going to go down, or if anyone will even participate, or what. But then a hostess gets on a microphone and thanks everyone for coming. That seems to get everyone's attention, so I start to think that maybe tonight will be a good night. Maybe even better than I’d hoped.
She introduces a woman named Jocelyn who owns the bakery and says she’s graciously allowed them to have the auction here. I am instantly mesmerized. Jocelyn is petite and curvy and gorgeous.
Wow!
She is just my type. I can’t take my eyes off of her. Before I can even think, I'm calling out that I will pay a million dollars to sleep with her.
Jocelyn and everyone in the crowd looks shocked. The hostess says that perhaps that can be arranged and asks Jocelyn if she’d like to do it. She is speechless, so she just looks at the hostess, then at me.
The other guys that I came with start cheering me on and being rowdy. One of them even says, “Now we’re talking! Let’s get this party started in here, with this hottie!”
I'm starting to get angry when they all take turns and start increasing the bid. I am way past annoyed and really wishing I hadn’t brought them with me now. I keep thinking that maybe there is a way I can get them sent home. That might seem childish or overly competitive, but I don't want to risk losing out on Jocelyn.
I know it’s ridiculous – I just fucking met her. But it’s like she stepped out of the fantasy I had conjured up, about my dream girl. She was made for me and I just had to have her.
The hostess reminds everyone that there are other women who will be auctioned off, but the other guys keep interrupting her and insisting that they want Jocelyn.
Ugh, I hate guys like this. Back in San Francisco, you had competition, sure, but they weren't jerks about it like these guys were being.
I want to snap at them, or have them kicked out, but Jocelyn catches my attention. She finally answers and explains to the hostess that she wasn’t planning to be auctioned off.
She looks at me, however, and says softly, "But that’s a lot of money."
I want to urge her to do it, but my idiot work partners keep interrupting and increasing the bids, to three million dollars. I’m exasperated and furious with them. I'm also happy, though, because I know I have way more money than my underlings.
Not to brag, but I’m a billionaire who helped build patented technology for apps, after all. I shock everyone again when I call out, “Five million dollars for one night with you, Jocelyn, and that’s my final offer.”
Everyone gasps, and then the room goes silent. I realize that I’m rock hard and ready to take her.
That doesn't usually happen this way for me. I mean, I get aroused, of course, but never like this – so obvious, almost desperate. I have no idea why this woman changes me and makes me weak in the knees, but she does.
I find myself wanting to have her in my life forever. It’s strange, but I have never been so instantly attracted to someone before, at any point in my life. I look back at Jocelyn and wait for her answer.
With every fiber of my body, I'm hoping that she will say yes and accept my bid. Even if she doesn't, I’d still keep bidding. I'd pay any amount of money to be with her.
She looks shy and hesitant. That attracts me to her even more. I can’t stop staring at her curves. I need to have her, tonight. Nothing is going to stop me from being with her. I have never been the type to believe in destiny or relationships, but when I look at her, I feel like I could become that person.
That thought both scares me and excites me. I have never felt like this before. It's all very new, and a little mind boggling. But I’m determined to see where it will take me – and I sure hope it will let me take Jocelyn there with me, too.
Chapter 8 - Jocelyn
After the auction, I'm talking to Derek. It’s important that I explain something to him right away.
Even though I am nervous about it, I say
, "I can’t spend the night. I understand if this is a dealbreaker, but I just can't."
Of course, I don’t mention why to him, but the exact reason is because tomorrow is Mother’s Day. That's a day I want to spend with my son, Maxim.
Plus, I have never left him alone overnight before. I don't know how he would react and I don't want to burden Aunt Barbara any more than I already am.
I had decided not to mention anything to her because I had also thought I had to decided what to do on my own. I was just going to host the auction, not participate in it. And so of course I hadn’t cleared an overnight babysitting gig with her. Now I would feel rude, dumping it on her like that – not to mention that I wouldn’t have any good explanation as to why I needed to ask her to do that for me.
After letting Derek know, I turn to walk away because I’m pretty sure that he won’t want to pay so much for me anymore.
But he surprises me by reaching for me and instantly saying, "That’s fine. I can take you to my place and have you home within a few hours. Whatever works best for you is fine with me."
"Um, ok," I reply softly.
I can’t believe that he is this into me. He’s so handsome with his dark, wavy hair, and tanned body. I love that he’s quite a bit taller than me and that I have to look up at him. I want to melt whenever I look into his deep brown eyes. I want him so bad.
I still can’t believe that all of this is happening.
I feel like it must be my lucky day.
I'm going to get all this money for my bakery as the fee for providing the place for the auction, and this amazing guy who wants to pay way more just for the chance to be with me!
I don’t think I have ever been this nervous or excited before. This is exactly the kind of thing I needed to happen to put Maxim and me in a great position forever.