Auctioned to Him Book 8

by Charlotte Byrd

  I’m about to give up when I finally see the 2001 Honda Civic with the front driver’s side smashed in. Elated, I open the passenger side and get in. I climb over the gear shift and the cup holders and into the driver’s side. This is the only way to get in. This happened a few years ago, when Lila was just laid off and she was completely broke. Someone had backed into her car while it was parked on the street. The insurance company gave her $800 for the damage, but because her account was overdrawn after she paid rent that month and she had no money for food, she used the money to live on instead of getting the door fixed. It has been this way ever since.

  I adjust my seat and make sure that the rear view and side mirrors are in the right position. I turn on the radio, but nothing comes out. That’s right, the radio doesn’t work either. Perfect. What a piece of shit car. Let’s just hope that it gets me to North Hollywood in one piece.

  My phone rings. It’s a strange number. I usually don’t pick up unknown numbers, but for some reason this time I do.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello, Chloe! This is Dolly Monroe. How are you?” Dolly’s accent, which I later found out is from West Texas, makes her sound like she’s cooing like a bird. It’s so sing-songy.

  “Hi Dolly. I’m fine,” I say. I put her on speaker, pull out of the parking spot and head toward Sunset Boulevard.

  “What are you doing Saturday night?” she asks.

  “Um…I don’t know. I don’t really have plans.”

  I try to think of what I have planned for the weekend. The beginning of this week has been so crazy and hectic that my brain fogs up.

  “You do now! I found the perfect date for you. You two will get along splendidly. The only thing is that it’s a formal event. Do you have any formal clothes?”

  “Wait, what?” My mind tries to catch up with the trunk load of information that she just unloaded on me.

  “Do you have any evening dresses?”

  “No. But wait, back up. I can’t go on a date this weekend.”

  “Why?”

  “Because…because,” I search my mind for an answer. But nothing comes to mind. “I don’t know. I just can’t. It’s too soon.”

  “You said you were free. You have nothing to worry about. No pressure. This guy is really easy going. Very attractive. And pretty loaded too.”

  “I don’t care about that,” I say.

  “Even better.”

  “But I still can’t go.”

  “Why not?” she asks. Is she totally dense? Or is she just not getting the hint?

  “I just can’t,” I say. “I’m not ready.”

  “Chloe, how long has it been since your last date?” she asks. I take a moment to really think about this. Hmm. Come to think of it. I can’t really remember. I don’t know.

  “That pause tells me that it has been too long. So this Saturday is going to fix that.”

  “But…”

  “There’s no buts. He’s a great guy. Very nice, courteous. Interesting. I’m sure that you two will get along splendidly.”

  “But you don’t even know me,” I finally come up with a good reason. That’s right. She hardly knows a thing about me. How can she be so sure that we’re a good match?

  “Chloe, what I do is not about knowledge. It’s not about information. People make connections based on chemistry, and I make my recommendations based on intuition. I learned a long time ago to listen to my intuition, and it’s very rarely wrong.”

  “Okay,” I finally give in.

  “Okay? You’ll go.” Dolly’s voice goes up at the end. She’s getting a little bit too excited about this.

  “Yes, I’ll go,” I say. “But why can’t we just go out for a cup of coffee? Get to know each other a little? I can’t go a black tie event with a complete stranger.”

  “Eh, of course, you can!” I can almost see her waving her manicured hand at me dismissively, as if that is such an usual statement to make.

  “Fine. But I don’t have anything to wear.”

  “I’ll fix that.”

  After carefully negotiating a time that would work with both of our schedules, we decide to meet on Rodeo Drive at 6 o’clock tonight. I hang up the phone with plenty of doubts and a touch of resignation. Maybe Dolly’s right. It’s time to go out there and meet some new people.

  Chapter 11 - Finn

  I meet Ben Garett for lunch. He’s my oldest and dearest friend. We have been friends since I was 13 and he was 12 and we met on the set of Roseanne, a popular 90’s sitcom. He had one line, and I was an extra. That was one of my first real jobs, and I was a nervous wreck. Ben was experienced. He had been going to auditions and getting gigs in television shows for a few years by then. I remember how intimidated I was when I first talked to him, and how fun and down-to-earth he was. It made all the difference. Luckily, neither of us had any success in Hollywood as young kids, so we’re not as messed up as many of those child stars tend to be. Ben’s breakout role came when he was 18 in Tequila Sunrise, where he played a young doctor fighting the cholera epidemic. He was nominated for a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. I remember going to the award shows and saying a prayer for him to win. Unfortunately, he didn’t. Both awards went to Anthony Hopkins that year. Hell of a guy to lose to, though, isn’t he? It’s like losing to Meryl Streep. What can you really say? Try again next year?

  “How’s it going?” Ben gives me a hug and we both order our drinks. “Why are we meeting in North Hollywood again?”

  “I’m shooting a movie right around here, and I only have an hour. Was there a lot of traffic?”

  “Eh, no more than usual.”

  “I’m actually loving how out of the way North Hollywood is, apparently, for the paparazzi.”

  “I know, they don’t want to make the commute,” he jokes. Ben and I have both come a long way since our days as sitcom extras. We both grew into our faces and bodies. Ben has recently been offered a very lucrative role as Marvel superhero (can’t really say which one) in their upcoming movie. He’s getting a lot on the back-end from it. That’s really smart, since it’s projected to break a lot of records.

  “How’s Jasmine? The kids?” I ask. Unlike me, who can’t seem to hold on to a girlfriend for longer than a few months, Ben met Jasmine when he was 21 and married her at 22. I was the best man, and those two have been happily married for almost eight years. They have three kids and one more on the way.

  “Great. This pregnancy is going really well, actually.”

  I grab a piece of bread from the breadbasket and lather it with butter. I laugh and shake my head.

  “What?” he asks.

  “I still can’t believe that you’re going to have four kids soon. That’s crazy, Ben.”

  “I know, I find that difficult to believe myself sometimes,” he smiles. “But kids are great. You’re really missing out. They’re so fun. Always wanting to play. They really keep me grounded.”

  “Yeah I know. I’ve met your kids,” I say. “They’re amazing. But you know, I’ve met other people’s kids too. And, frankly, they leave a lot to be desired.”

  “Oh c’mon.”

  “C’mon yourself. Most people have nightmares about kids. They’re loud and obnoxious. You and Jasmine lucked out. Big time.”

  Our food arrives just in time. I notice that Ben isn’t eating any bread and didn’t order any carbs.

  “Strict diet?” I ask. He nods.

  “Pretty much. They have me working with a personal trainer for two hours a day to gain twenty pounds of muscle. He put me on a strict no dairy, no sugar, no simple carbohydrates diet.”

  “How’s it going?” I ask. I don’t need him to answer. The sullen look on his face tells me everything.

  “Well, you’re going to look amazing,” I say. “At least, you’ll have that. I’m sure you’ll get the cover of Men’s Health and whatever else you want.”

  “Do you remember how scrawny and tall we both were as kids?” he asks, biting into his salad.

  �
��Oh my God. Don’t even remind me. We were all arms and legs.”

  Growing up, Ben and I both had the same problem. We couldn’t gain weight to save our lives. Weight or muscles.

  “I shot up like five inches in one summer,” I say. “All of my joints physically ached for months.”

  “I know, me too,” he nods.

  “I don’t know how we ever got girls back then.”

  “Well, I didn’t. You did, but I never did,” Ben laughs.

  “Oh c’mon, you got some,” I say, trying to remember at least one girl who Ben dated before Jasmine.

  “I had a couple of girlfriends, but that was it. That’s why when I met Jasmine and she was actually into me, I held on for dear life.”

  We both laugh.

  “Let me just tell you one thing,” I say. “You know I love Jasmine. But if you were single now, you’d have your pick of the litter.”

  He shakes his head.

  “I’m serious. If you didn’t have such a happy marriage and boring life, you’d be all over the celeb magazines. You’re it. And who knows, maybe after this movie, you’ll even land the cover of Sexiest Man Alive.”

  “Oh, wow, that would be a hoot,” Ben says. Even though he’s an amazing actor and is quite good at playing a cocky bastard, he’s never really had much confidence in himself. Even now, he acts like he agrees with me, but I have my doubts.

  “So, what about you?” Ben asks. Suddenly, his face gets very serious. I know he’s going to mention Ariel.

  “What about me?” I act like nothing’s going on.

  “How are things? I mean, I saw the magazines. Is there any truth to that?”

  There usually isn’t. It’s amazing how much stuff they publish that’s total crap. Utter made up shit. But in this case, they’re right.

  “Eh, we’re over. She moved in with Kingsolver.”

  I hate the fact that my ex’s new boyfriend shares a first name with my best friend.

  “Wow, already?” Ben is taken aback.

  “Apparently, it has been going on for some time,” I say. I pause for a little. I don’t mean to stop talking for so long, but somehow the silence gets the best of me. I get lost in its solitude. “But hey, it was probably a mistake the whole time. I’m not really meant to be in a relationship, right?” I finally say.

  “No, that’s not true. Of course, you are.”

  “Listen, we can’t all be as lucky as you and Jasmine,” I say. I change the tone of my voice to try to lighten the mood. “Maybe, I’m just meant to be single. And that’s okay. Being single is fun.”

  “I know that Jasmine and I are really lucky. And that’s why I want you to experience what I have so much. Of course, you can have the same thing with someone special. You just have to find the right girl. And you know, it’s not absolutely necessary that she be a model or an actress.”

  I smile.

  “No, I’m serious. There are plenty of gorgeous everyday girls out there. The benefit of dating one of those girls is that she’s not also in the business. She doesn’t have her own insane celebrity career to contend with.”

  I know what he’s getting at. He has talked about this many times before. Jasmine’s father was the President of NBC, but she never wanted to be an actress. Instead, her passion has always been jewelry. A year after they got married, she finally started designing jewelry, and now her designs can be found in a number of Nordstrom’s and Saks Fifth Avenue stores around the country.

  “You know, I’m not as shallow as you think,” I say. “I don’t just date models and actresses because they’re hot or the only thing I think about is looks. I don’t even know how to begin to date someone who’s just a regular person. I mean, where would I meet her? And whenever I do meet regular girls, they just see me entirely as the characters I’ve played. They even call me by their names. Do you know how much of a turn off that is?”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s hard,” Ben says. “But still, you should give it a try.”

  I shrug. “Okay, I’ll try.”

  We both pass on the dessert, but Ben insists on getting the check. We usually alternate, but this time he insists, because I’m currently working and not getting paid.

  “Are you serious?” I ask. “Do you know how much money I made for my last movie?”

  “I’ve see the magazines. I have some idea. But who knows? Maybe you spent it all.”

  “You’re an asshole,” I say.

  “Okay, so just let me get this, and you’ll get the next one.”

  “I’m going to get the next one even if we go out with Jasmine and your carload of kids. I’m paying for everyone,” I say.

  “Oh that will be great. You know, the only time I really notice how many kids we actually have is when we go out to dinner with them and the check comes. If this project is successful, I’m going to have to do a lot of sequels to pay for all their crap.”

  Chapter 12 - Finn

  The valet brings my car around first. After a brief hug, I tell Ben that I’ll call him soon and to send my best to Jasmine. On my drive back to the set, something about what Ben said sticks with me. I wonder what it would be like to date a regular girl. Someone who’s not in the industry at all? At least, not in front of the camera. I’ve never really given it much thought before. It’s surprisingly hard to find girls who aren’t currently or aspiring to be models or actresses in this business, anyway. Who could I ask out anyway?

  As all of these thoughts swirl around in my head, one person stands out. One girl’s name keeps coming to the forefront. I’m going to see her soon. She’s going to show me the clothes that she has picked out for me for the afternoon scene. Suddenly, my hands feel strange. My fingers are uneasy, my palms are sweaty and I feel antsy all over.

  My phone rings just as I pull into the parking space near the trailers. It’s a strange number, but I answer anyway.

  “Finn Dalton?” the woman on the other side asks. She has a thick Texas accent and a high voice.

  “Yes.”

  “My name’s Dolly Monroe, and you were referred to me by Stefania Michelle.”

  What the hell is Stefania doing giving out my personal number to strangers?

  “I know you must be concerned about privacy, so I just want to assure you that discretion is the name of the game in my business.”

  “And what is your business?” I ask.

  “Matchmaking. I’ve asked Stefania a number of questions, but she couldn’t answer some. And, in order for me to do my job, I need to get them answered.”

  “Okay,” I say very slowly.

  “Will you tell me a little bit about your childhood?” she asks. “Basic things.”

  “Stefania didn’t tell you?” I ask.

  “No. She wasn’t sure if she should, and thought it would be better if I called you myself.”

  “Um,” I say cautiously. There’s a beep on the line. It’s Stefania calling. I put Dolly on hold and answer her call. Stefania fills me in on the details. Apparently, Dolly Monroe is the best of the best when it comes to matchmaking, and she’ll find me a fun and appropriate date for this Saturday.

  For a second, I consider bailing. The conversation with Ben has inspired me. I had an inkling to ask Chloe to the Governor’s Ball and cancel this whole blind date situation altogether. But then it hits me that perhaps a black-tie event isn’t the best first date. What if she doesn’t have an evening gown to wear for a last minute event? I wouldn’t want to embarrass her in any way. Besides, the point of going out with a regular girl is to do regular people things. A dinner and a movie, perhaps.

  I cut my conversation with Stefania short and return to Dolly.

  “That was Stefania,” I explain. “She said that you would be calling with questions. So, you wanted to know about my childhood?”

  “Yes.”

  “What would you like to know?”

  “Basic things, like where did you grow up? Who raised you? Any experiences that you want to share.”

  “I’m an
only child, and I was raised by a single mom. My mom moved to LA to be an actress before I was born, met my father and got pregnant. They broke up before I was even born. He has never really been part of my life, but my mom and I are very close.”

  “Is she married now?”

  “No, not really. She had a few relationships when I was growing up, but nothing major. I guess I’m kind of a loner, just like her.”

  I never put it together like that. Perhaps it is odd that my mom has pretty much lived her whole life on her own, but she has plenty of close friends. Every few months she goes on a cruise with her girlfriends. She loves to garden and do pottery. Her life is full of laughter and joy. The only thing she never really had is a permanent relationship. I’ve never really thought that it was particularly odd.

  “So you grew up in LA, then?”

  “Yep. She worked as a waitress for many years and went to auditions. Then she got a job on the soap All My Children. She was with the show for four years. She didn’t really want me to get into the business, but I kept bugging her about it and, finally, she took me to an audition when I was 12. It was for some orange juice that isn’t around anymore. That’s where I caught the acting bug. Loved every second of being on set. Of playing pretend. And the fact that they paid me for it just blew me away.”

  “I can tell that you are very passionate about what you do,” Dolly says. “And what about your personal life?”

  “Eh, that was not anything I really worried about too much. You probably don’t want to hear this, since you’re a matchmaker and all, but I’m not really a relationship guy. I’ve had a few, but they never lasted more than a few months. I love the beginning part of relationships. The excitement and the electricity. But after that wears off, I tend to lose interest.”

  “Is that something that you want to work on?” Dolly asks.

  “No, not really.”

  I don’t know why I’m being so open with this stranger on the phone except that it’s not really a big deal. If she needs all this information to set me up on a date, fine by me. I’m sure that the girl will be hot and we’ll have a good time. First dates aren’t the problem. It’s the tenth date where things really start to go to shit.