Maid For Beckett Catching The Baseball Legend’s Heart novel Chapter 36

The noise, laughter, and glamour of the party consumed my thoughts. The lights dimmed slightly as the MC continued the program, narrating Nana Lucy’s role in helping kids with cancer, providing a home for street children, and going them a chance at a good life. I picked up nothing, though, because my attention kept drifting toward Beckett and Nana Lucy at the front of the stage. There was no hint of what had happened in the study between them. Nana Lucy was a spomen and then ker was the reluctant prince. They’re both regal and untouchable.

I was still replaying everything that happened inside Nana’s study–Beckett’s red cheeks, his hand on my wrist, his ridiculous declaration about going home–when the entire courtyard shifted. It woke me up from my trance, like a bre changing direction.

A few gasps rippled across the tables, eyes trained on the woman who had just entered the vicinity.

Sloane.

Her entrance was slow and deliberate, her heels sinking into the grass as if she were marking her territory. She looked stunning–mile–long legs, a shimmering silver dress, shiny curls spilling over her shoulders. The crowd parted for her as f she belonged to royalty. And she walked straight toward Beckett and Nana Lucy’s table, chin up, smile polished confidence dripping from every step.

She didn’t even glance at the stage, just headed straight to them.

Beside me, Lila muttered, “The fuck?”

Siobhan whispered, “What the hell is she doing here?”

I tried not to stare, but my eyes wouldn’t follow my mind’s instructions. Sloane leaned down and kissed Nana Lucy’s cheeks like she’d been the long–lost granddaughter returning home from war. Nana smiled, as if she missed Sloane and was happy to see her again.

“What is Nana doing?” Lila whispered.

“She wouldn’t cause a scene,” Siobhan offered. “Not in front of sponsors.”

I swallowed hard.

Sloane shifted her body toward Beckett, touching his arm lightly–too comfortable for my liking–as if she had beet dining that all her life. Beckett didn’t lean into it, but she stayed close, talking to him with a soft smile.

I forced my gaze back to the auction as the first painting was brought up for bidding.

“This is awkward,” Siobhan said, nudging me gently. “Are you okay?”

“Huh? Me? Why wouldn’t I be?” I turned to her, my frown masking the annoying pinch of seeing Sloane is my chest

My chest felt tight, but I held my façade. Beckett is my boss, nothing more. That’s what I said to Nana Lacy and I will stand by it.

A loud voice from the front snapped ine back

“Ten thousand!”

“Fifteen!”

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Chapter 36

“Twenty!”

120 vouchers

The painting, a stunning oil piece of an Italian vineyard at dusk, climbed up in price quickly I applauded mechanically when the MC announced, “Sold.”

Then another painting–a woman in red, abstract and bold. The bids echoed once again all over the courtyard, but my stupid eyes and mind couldn’t focus on anything but Sloane and Beckett. Sloane was practically a diamond beside Berkett now, smiling, laughing lightly, leaning just close enough for everyone to see.

“Andi,” Lila whispered, “you okay?”

I smiled without feeling my face move, my response on autopilot. “Me? Why wouldn’t I be?”

Siobhan and Lila exchanged glances, and Cole sighed.

‘Do you know where the bathroom is, Andi?” Jace asked.

‘Me? Why wouldn’t I be?” I replied again without realizing it, and everyone at our table laughed.

I snapped out of it, staring at Sloane and Beckett, cheeks burning as I sank into my seat.

“She’s definitely okay,” Siobhan teased.

‘More than okay,” Lila added.

I thought we were friends. But these two were traitors, just like Cole. And Jace was in on it, too. Here I thought I was their equal. My pout folded my lips as I narrowed my eyes at my friends.

The MC, cheering as another item sold, drew their attention away from me. Applause echoed. I clapped too, at the wrong time. Cole snorted beside me.

I glared at him. “Shut up.”

Cole raised his hands in surrender. “I didn’t say anything… yet.”

He was definitely going to say something.

Then the next segment began.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the MC announced, “it’s time for the bachelor and bachelorette charity auction!”

The crowd whooped and whistled.

Models from Siobhan’s agency strutted onstage, one by one, introduced with glamorous bios and pictures flashing behind them. The bidding was wild–numbers flying up fast as people competed for charity dates.

Then came Sloane, shimmering under the spotlight.

She winked at Beckett from the stage.

“I bet the old geezers in the audience can’t wait to bid for her,” Lila snorted.

“Twenty thousand dollars opening bid!” the MC called.

“Thirty!”

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“Forty!”

The crowd was rabid. Sloane’s ego was glowing brighter than her dress.

She leaned forward on the mic and said sweetly, “Babe?”

The entire venue turned toward Beckett.

He didn’t move. He didn’t raise his hand. He didn’t even pretend to consider it.

010

Sloane froze for half a second, just long enough for me to catch the flicker of her annoyance, before smiling as someone else won the bid.

I shouldn’t have been relieved.

But I was.

Next up: Jace.

I glared at the seat beside Siobhan, wondering when Jace had slipped from his seat onto the stage. I shook my head. I need to snap back into reality. Not being aware of my surroundings could be dangerous.

Girls were already screaming as Jace walked onto the stage. Someone blew a whistle. Jace looked calm and collected, as if having girls flock all over to bid for him didn’t bother him at all.

“I can’t believe he agreed to this again.” Siobhan murmured as we watched the bidding start.

“Last year, the winning bid was a sixty–year–old lady, and she took him on a cruise for three days,” Lila added, answering the question in my head.

“Are you up for auction?” Siobhan teased Cole.

“Nope. Not ever,” Cole said. “I’d rather donate a million bucks than be on that stage.”

I giggled as Cole grimaced, shivering visibly as though the thought of being auctioned irked him. I can’t imagine how he would handle a sixty–year–old lady who would bid for him.

“Love you!” someone yelled. Jace turned red as the bidding started.

While the bids punched in higher and higher, Vivian walked to our table.

“Andi,” she said, smiling way too kindly. “I hate to ask this of you, but our last model doesn’t feel well. Would you mind taking her place?”

“Me?” I squeaked.

Lila and Siobhan exchanged another telepathic conversation with their eyebrows. Confusion and worry were evident in

their faces.

“I don’t think I’m the right person for that. Why not Lila and Siobhan?” Honestly, I stand no chance against the girls who walked up that stage earlier. I am not a model. I’m a freaking maid! Do I have to spell that out to these people?

“We’re taken,” Lila said quickly.

“Both of you?” I blinked at Siobhan. “You have a boyfriend?”

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She smirked. “Surprise.”

I blinked at Siobhan. I didn’t know she had a boyfriend. Then again, I didn’t ask.

Vivian leaned in closer. “It’s a charity date. Completely harmless. Nana Lucy said she will be the one paying for the date w that

you can decide on where and when.”

“Can I decide to leave now and be on my way to hide under my bed?‘ I nibbled my lip.

Cole placed a hand on the back of my chair. “Don’t worry. I’ll be bidding on you. No matter what.”

“You will do that?”

“Why not? I would date you,” he said simply, as if he really meant it, as if he didn’t know how his words would affect me. “And one thing you should know about me–I don’t like losing.”

I should be relieved, right? But the way he said that sounded dangerous: Terrifying.

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