Nice Until Proven Naughty

“You want me to be aloof and dress like a slob?”

“Yes. I mean no. I mean I want you to be you.”

“Me?” I point a finger at my chest. “But I’m boring. I thought he’d appreciate me stepping out of my box.”

“You’re not boring.”

“Yes, I am. I’m boring and sweet and—” I curl my nose. “—nice.”

“There’s nothing wrong with nice. You’re a wonderful person, Dani, and if Ben wants to let you go because you made one teeny tiny mistake last year, he doesn’t deserve you.”

“Maybe you’re right.”

“I’m always right.”

“You sound like Jamie.” I roll my eyes and push up from the chair. Bending down, I snag the heels and turn for the door.

“Where are you going?” Sam asks. “It’s almost lunch. We can head down town and grab a bite to eat.”

“Nah. I think I’m going to go and just be me.”

“Netflix and ice cream?”

“Living my best life.” Without Ben by my side.

“I’ll be there in an hour.”

“You’re the best.”

11

Naughty

“Who are you looking for?” Dani asks, stepping up beside me.

“Lucas.” I scan the crowd one last time before giving her my undivided attention. “So, what do you think?”

“I think you’re about to pull off the greatest Christmas fundraiser this town has ever seen.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really. Did you see the crowd here?”

She looks at the people gathering inside of Sal’s and I follow her gaze. The place is packed wall to wall, and after a Facebook post a few days ago announcing the auction, we had an additional twelve people sign up to be auctioned off.

“I’m nervous,” I say, clasping my hands together.

“Don’t be. You’re going to do great. We’ve got about ten minutes until it starts. I’m going to go tell everyone to get ready, and then I’ll bring you a list of the guys as well as their stats.”

“Thank you for helping me with this.”

“You don’t have to thank me; we’re sisters. This is what I’m here for.”

Dani disappears behind the makeshift stage Garrett, Greg, and Sarah set up, and I search through the crowd for Lucas one last time. I thought for sure he’d show up. We had one hell of a connection, a nea

r-miss kiss that I thought for sure he’d want to cash in on, and I all but promised to buy him in the auction.

But maybe the connection was all me. Maybe I want so badly to find that special someone that I was searching for something that wasn’t there.