I Only Have Pies for You (Pumpkin Spice Life 1)

“Don’t be nervous. It’s all in good fun,” Kristy said, patting her hand.

She exhaled. “I have to admit I was blindsided when Jennifer asked me. I couldn’t say no with all eyes on me.”

“She’s fabulous at ensuring we have a good turn out every year,” Shannon added.

“With her at the helm, I bet you do,” Rosaleen said, shaking her head as she smiled wryly.

“Have a drink. It’ll help relax you.” Kristy walked over to a tray and grabbed a flute of champagne.

“Thank you.” Accepting the bubbly liquid, she found herself swept into small talk. After so many days of nonstop hard work, and months of isolation, it felt good. Lightly grazing on carrots and finger sandwiches, she remained calm as the girls were called out onto the stage. Getting to know the others helped quell her nerves.

“Number twenty-five, you’re up in five minutes,” a young redhead with a clipboard and headset informed her. Nodding her head, she took a deep breath and followed the headphone-wearing, khaki-clad young man with the clipboard to take her place on stage in the wings. Smoothing down her dress she listened as the M.C. worked the crowd.

“We’ve already seen a number of lovely ladies, and the next is no exception. Let’s give a warm welcome to bakery owner and new Granville resident, Rosaleen Plath.”

Squaring her shoulders, she walked onto the stage smiling at the crowd applauding.

The black-haired man with a few strands of gray at the temples reminded her of Stephen Colbert. “This beautiful young woman owns For Cake’s Sake on Main Street. She’s a fan of horror movies, reading, and being outdoors. We’ll open the bid now.”

“One hundred.” Her gaze latched onto the familiar light blue orbs of Alaric, and she felt her cheeks and neck heat up.

“We got one hundred. Can I get one hundred and fifty?”

“One hundred and fifty.”

Shocked she turned to see a brunette male she didn’t know with a goatee and killer hazel eyes bidding. The bids volleyed back and forth in the crowd.

“One thousand.” The voice filled her stomach with dread. He wouldn’t. She felt like she was moving underwater as she turned her head to the left and spotted Ryan. Dressed in a pair of crisp khaki pants paired with a crisp white button-up and a caramel pullover sweater, he stood heads above most at six foot two inches. His blond hair was parted at the side and slicked back, putting his high cheekbones on display. The full pink lips that used to make her shiver gained a scowl. Why was is he doing this?

“Twelve hundred,” Alaric said.

“Fifteen hundred,” Ryan countered.

“Sixteen hundred.” Alaric’s voice was steely.

Ryan turned to glare at him. “Eighteen hundred.”

“Two thousand,” Alaric said coolly.

“Ten thousand,” Ryan countered with a smirk.

Alaric’s right eye twitched.

“Going once, twice, sold to the gentleman with paddle number thirty.”

The crowd murmured as she walked back the way she came numbly.

“Great job,” Rachel congratulated her.

“Yeah.” She gave a smile.

“What’s wrong?” Rachel whispered.

“He’s my ex.”

“Oh, shit,” Kristy’s eye widened.

“You can always decide not to go through with this,” Rachel assured her.