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I looked around and tried to give a nonchalant shrug before focusing on the bidder with a choice to make. I shot him a questioning look as I pointed between the two of us.

Why not have a little fun with it instead of standing here stressed?

He stared at me, and I thought he might go for more.

“That’s fifteen hundred going once.”

Yes! The countdown to the end.

More discussion.

“Going twice.”

The guy shook his head and put the paddle behind his back as if to stop himself from raising it.

“Sold! To paddle number two forty-one. Congratulations.”

I pointed to Austin and gave my widest smile. He smiled back and nodded. Hanging with the hometown guy. That’d be cool.

Everybody applauded and whistled while I took a bow.

Booker stopped my departure, grabbing my arm. “How’s it feel to have that little bidding war?”

Here we go. I didn’t want to talk. What was I supposed to say?

“Kind of weird, to be honest. I’d hoped I’d be able to get some money to Hockey Allies, but I never imagined this. I appreciate it, and I know Hockey Allies does too. In fact, I’m going to double that final bid to support them even more.”

The audience loved that. I’m glad I thought of it. All the guys should do the same. Maybe some would follow my lead.

“That’s excellent, Kyle. Thank you on behalf of Hockey Allies. Now go meet your date, and we’ll see if anyone else can top your bid. Let’s bring out Slater Knox!”

SIX

AUSTIN

HOLY SHIT.

I did it.

I’m committed now to hang out with my favorite hockey player for at least an hour.

I attend all kinds of meetings and dinners, but this has me more jittery than any business meeting.

I’d leave the phone off too. The world won’t fall apart if I’m not reachable for an hour… hopefully.

Making my way to the cashier to pay up, several people congratulated me, shook my hand, and wished me well on the date. I just smiled and nodded.

Thankfully, the cashier was stationed in the lobby just outside of the ballroom, so the noise dropped to a bearable level.

The guy who kept the bidding going came up next to me and stepped in front of me, friends at his sides, before I’d reached my destination. “Congrats. I so badly wanted to bid more. Luckily, this one talked sense into me because the other one was going to let me keep going. I’m Tom.”

We shook hands as we finished introductions. “No hard feelings then?”

“Noooo.” The length of the word added to how happy he was to have been stopped. “Spending that much would’ve been ridiculous, although maybe worth it to sit across the table from Kyle and look at his dreamy face.”

“I’m not going to need to separate you two, am I?” Kyle arrived with a charming smile that made my insides quiver in the best way.

“Nah,” Tom said. “Just congratulating Austin.” He regarded Kyle for a moment that threatened to become awkward because of the silence. “Could I maybe get a selfie with you to mark the event?”