“Fuck,” Elliot whispers.
Christopher leans in and says something to Elliot. He seems to think for a moment.
He’s telling him what to bid. It seems that Christopher has a lot of pull in what Elliot does.
“Do we have another bid?” the auctioneer asks. “One point one is our last call.”
“One point four,” Elliot snaps.
The crowd lets out an audible gasp.
Elliot’s jaw tilts to the sky in satisfaction, and Tristan smiles broadly.
I look among the Miles brothers. These men are wealthy beyond measure. They don’t seem rattled at all—$1.4 million for a fucking painting . . . what the hell?
“One million four hundred and ten thousand dollars,” the other bidder replies.
“One point five,” Elliot fires back.
The man shakes his head. “I’m out.”
The auctioneer turns to the woman. She shakes her head. “I’m out too.”
The crowd waits and looks around.
“Do we have any more offers?” the auctioneer asks.
“One point five once . . . twice . . . three times. Last call.” He brings down his hammer. “Sold, to the man in the navy jacket, Elliot Miles.”
Elliot laughs in delight, and Tristan and Christopher shake his hand in congratulations. He looks up and around the room. “Where did she go?” he asks.
“Who?” Tristan frowns.
“The blonde,” he replies as he scans the room. “She was right here.”
“She left,” I whisper. “As soon as you bid your last bid, she left. I saw her walk out the front doors.”
Elliot turns and storms toward the door.
; “Excuse me, sir,” the auctioneer calls after him. “We need details.”
“Go find her,” he says to his brothers.
Christopher marches out the front door to look for her as Elliot talks to the auctioneer. Tristan goes looking for her too.
I smile as I watch. . . I just got a firsthand look at how the Miles boys operate.
They see something they want, and they go after it hard.
Impressive.
I straighten Tristan’s tie as he looks down at me. It’s Monday morning, and I don’t want this weekend to end.
“There.” I dust off his shoulders as I pretend to be happy about us parting. “You look extra handsome today.”
He smiles softly down at me. “You know, I could get used to this sweet version of Claire.”