by Alexa Land
Chapter Twelve
“This place is packed!” I loosened my tie, then reached behind me and cracked a window. It was the last weekend in September, and Nana’s charity event seemed to be off to a great start, if the size of the crowd was any indication.
Darwin and I were hanging out in the DJ booth with my lavender-haired friend Ash, who turned to us and said, “But that’s good, right? It’s what you wanted.”
“As long as they’re bidding on the auctions, this is definitely what we wanted,” Darwin said. “Do you think we’re violating the fire marshal code, though? It looks like half of San Francisco is here.”
“They’re taking tickets at the door,” I said, “and we sold a set number, so I think we’re okay. It just seems like a lot with everyone crammed into the ground floor of the firehouse.”
Darwin nodded. “You’re right. I’m going to check on River and Cole, see if they need help with anything.” Our friends were providing the catering, and a dozen waiters circulated with drinks and trays of gorgeous-looking appetizers. I was sure they had everything well in hand, but it was probably good for Darwin to keep busy, since he seemed anxious. The teen tossed his long, dark bangs out of his eyes, straightened his red bowtie and tugged at the rolled-back cuff of his black dress shirt. Then he took a deep breath and waded into the throng. Introverts and crowds weren’t the best combination.
There were two parts to the sold-out event, first the cocktail reception, then a dessert bar after the bachelor auction, with the silent auction running throughout. Duke and I had baked and decorated over two hundred sugar cookies to add to the treats River and Cole had prepared. We’d made brightly colored, glittery rainbows and little nests with birds (since the shelter was called Rainbow Roost), and we’d arranged them into three big bouquets. I thought they looked spectacular.
We’d also spent a lot of time over the last week helping Darwin put the finishing touches on the silent auction. An impressive selection of gift baskets and other prizes were displayed on a long series of tables spanning the far wall, and it looked like a lot of people were bidding. I was proud of myself for getting some great last-minute donations from a few local businesses to add to the bounty.
Ash hit a couple of keys on his laptop as he held his headphones to his ear, and one song transitioned into another. The music was upbeat, but he was keeping it in the background, so people wouldn’t have to yell over it. He draped the headphones around his neck and smiled at me as he said, with a slight southern twang, “Your boyfriend definitely stands out in a crowd, Quinn.”
I looked across the room and spotted Duke instantly. It was true that at six-foot-eight, blending in was never an option, and I grinned as I watched him. He looked so handsome in his pearl gray suit. It was one that he wore to church, and I’d jazzed it up with one of my pink ties. Nana had recruited him as her personal assistant of sorts the moment we’d walked into the fundraiser that night, and while I couldn’t see the tiny senior amid all those people, I guessed by Duke’s quick pace and amused expression that she was probably right in front of him and towing him through the crowd.
Ash chuckled and said, “Wow, you’re one love-sick puppy.”
“What? He’s a handsome guy, and I was just admiring him.”
“Oh no honey, you were doing more than that. If you were a cartoon character, your eyes would be heart-shaped, and your tongue would unfurl out of your mouth and hang on the ground.” I grinned at that, and he said, “What’s it like, dating someone you’re living with?”
“Fantastic. He’s been off work, so we’ve been spending almost all our free time together and really getting to know each other.”
“And how’s the sex?”
“It’s the best I’ve ever had.” I didn’t mention the fact that we hadn’t actually fucked yet, both because it was none of my friend’s business and because it really didn’t matter. Duke and I had an incredibly intimate relationship. At times it was also intensely sexual, even without going as far as anal. I definitely looked forward to the day when he was ready to take that final step, and the desire to feel him inside me was an almost physical craving at times. But Duke was absolutely worth waiting for.
“Now I’m jealous.”
I squeezed Ash’s shoulder and said, “I should see if I can help out anywhere before the bachelor auction gets going. Can I bring you anything?”
“A hot guy.”
“Maybe one will bid on you tonight.”
Ash shook his head and told me, “I won’t be going onstage, since it’s my job to provide the soundtrack. Want me to play stripper music when it’s your turn on the auction block?”
“Please don’t.”
“Wait, why are you getting auctioned off if you have a boyfriend?”
“Duke and I promised Nana we’d participate before we were a couple, but even then we made a pact and agreed to be each other’s winning bidder. That way, Nana’s happy, the shelter makes money, and there’s a nice, full roster of bachelors to generate interest.”
Ash had stopped listening. His pale blue eyes went wide as he stared past me and murmured, “Hey Quinn, can I borrow a million dollars?”
“What for?”
“The hottest guy I’ve ever seen just walked in, and I hope to God he’s one of the bachelors. If he is, I’m smashin’ the hell out of my piggy bank and throwing down every cent to get a piece of that.”
I turned to see who he was talking about and asked, “The tall, dark-haired guy?” The man had to be just about Duke’s height, given the way he towered above the crowd. He was built like him too, with broad shoulders and big muscles, all wrapped up in a dark suit.
“Uh, yeah, the tall, dark-haired guy. Sweet baby Jesus, he’s stunning! And he’s coming this way! How do I look?”
I turned back to Ash and assessed him critically. He was my height with a slim build, and like me, he looked younger than his mid-twenties. He tried to smooth down his wild shock of pale lavender hair, which matched his form-fitting T-shirt, and I said, “Don’t do that, you’re making it worse.”
He stopped trying to fix his hair and murmured, “Why does he look familiar? Is he on TV or something? With that face and bod, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was an actor.” Then Ash bounced on his toes and exclaimed, “Wait, no! Now I remember! He used to be a hockey player, and now he’s some big shot entrepreneur. I’ve seen his picture in the newspaper. His name is Evan something.”
I glanced over my shoulder and murmured, “Oh my God, that must be Even Eide.” He’d been stopped by a big group of people, who were taking selfies with him and shaking his hand. Apparently he was more of a celebrity than I’d realized.
“Yes! That’s it! I wonder what he’s doing here.”
“I think he’s here because I invited him.”
“Seriously?”
I nodded and said, “He owns that famous sports bar, Ellingsen & Eide, which he turned into a successful franchise. I was going around to local businesses last weekend trying to get last-minute donations for the silent auction, and that was one of the places I visited. I didn’t speak to him personally, but I left two tickets and a note inviting him to attend the fundraiser. I guess he took me up on it.”
“Well done! Did you invite any more insanely hot men here tonight?”
“No, and I actually had no idea what Even looked like. I just thought to invite him because Duke was a huge fan back when that guy played hockey, and I thought he’d enjoy meeting him.”
“Aw, that’s so sweet.”
“He was also Duke’s first crush.”
Ash exclaimed, “For fuck’s sake Quinn, what’s the matter with you?”
I turned back to my friend and raised an eyebrow. “What are you talking about?”
“Are you trying to get Duke to leave you for another man?”
“No! Of course not. Duke had a crush on him ten years ago, when he was in high school. I’m sure he’s gotten over it by now. Besides, I don’t even know if Even Eide is gay.�
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“Of course he’s gay! He’s totally out, too. In every photo I’ve ever seen of him, he’s had a different hot guy on his arm. Don’t you read the society pages?”
“No, I don’t read the society pages! Do you?”
“Duh! How else am I supposed to find out about the hottest, most eligible bachelors in San Francisco?”
“Is this a southern thing? Because all of a sudden, I’m getting a real Scarlet O’Hara vibe from you.”
My friend shot me a look and said, “Could you just not with the Gone with the Wind references? It’s bad enough that my mama named me after one of the characters.”
“That’s why your name is Ashley? I had no idea. Come to think of it, there’s a lot I don’t know about you, since you never want to talk about your past.”
His accent became twice as thick as he drawled, “I will someday regale you with the very long, very dramatic story of my torturous upbringin’ on a decayin’ plantation in the swampy back woods of Louisiana. But today is not that day.”
“Did you really grow up on a plantation?”
“Yes. Now act casual! The hottie’s on the move again, and I do believe we’re his destination! Lord, please let him be into skinny, purple-haired DJs!”
Even Eide reached us a moment later and asked, “Which one of you is Quinn Takahashi? The fellow at the door told me he was in the DJ booth.” He had a very slight, unfamiliar accent. What had Duke said, that he was Finnish? Or Norwegian? Something like that.
Ash and I said in unison, “I am,” and I frowned at my friend.
“He’s kidding,” I said. “I’m Quinn. Thank you for coming, Mr. Eide.”
He smiled at me as he shook my hand. “Please, call me Even. I wanted to thank you for the tickets.”
“You’re welcome. It’s amazing that you showed up, since you must get all kinds of invitations to events like this.”
“It’s a wonderful cause. I took a look at the shelter’s webpage and was impressed. I do a lot of work with LGBT youth.” When his smile widened and his green eyes crinkled at the corners, a little knot formed in my stomach. He really was exceptionally handsome, and obviously wealthy, if his flawless, custom-made suit was any indication. I suddenly felt like a kid playing dress-up in my vintage, royal blue thrift store suit and floral tie. Ash’s words echoed in my mind: are you trying to get Duke to leave you for another man?
But this really wasn’t the time or place for a major bout of insecurity, and I said, “I’d love to introduce you to Stana Dombruso, the woman responsible for this shelter. She’s around here somewhere.” Ash kicked my shoe, and when I glanced at him, he opened his eyes as wide as they would go, in a look that clearly said, introduce me or die. I turned back to Even and said, “Oh, and this is my friend Ash Landry. He’s a big fan.”
Even shook his hand and said, “So, you like hockey?”
Ash unleashed a flirtatious smile and said, “Absolutely. Anything with sticks and balls, and I’m all over it.”
“Good to know, although we use pucks.” Even grinned at him and said, “Pleasure to meet you, Ash,” before we ventured into the crowd.
It took forever to cross the room, since he kept getting stopped for photos. I eventually pieced together that he wasn’t really famous for his two years as a professional hockey player, but for an award-winning documentary that had been made about him. That was certainly news to me.
After what felt like hours, we finally found Nana in the kitchen, where she and Duke were chatting with a handsome couple. Duke’s eyes lit up when he saw me, and then he glanced at the big guy behind me and his mouth fell open. Well, shit.
I introduced him to Nana first, and she beamed at Even as she shook his hand. “Well now, you’re a tall drink of water, about as big as my boy Duke here! I’ve heard of you, too. You do a lot of charity work in the city. I’m surprised we hadn’t crossed paths sooner.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Dombruso,” he said. “Congratulations, it looks like the fundraiser is a huge success.”
“I hope so,” she said. “We gotta do right by the kids who are going to be living here, and that takes money. There’s a gay homosexual bachelor auction happening in just about fifteen minutes, and I tell you what, we got some real hotties! That should loosen up people’s purse strings!”
Even said, “I’m sure it will.” Then he smiled flirtatiously at Duke and ran his gaze down his body as he asked, “Are you participating in the auction?”
Duke swallowed hard and nodded, and then he blurted, “I gotta tell you, I’m a huge fan. Your rookie season with the Canucks was epic. I’ll never forget that time you scored three consecutive goals against L.A. It was one of the greatest moments in sports history!”
Even’s smile became even more radiant. “I’m flattered you remember that. It’s actually the game I’m most proud of when I look back at my career.”
Duke told him, “There’s no way I could ever forget.”
I was relieved when Nana interrupted their little love fest with, “Where are my manners! Even, that’s Duke Blumenthal. He’s a stripper.”
Duke muttered, “Actually, I’m a police officer.”
But Nana was barreling ahead with the introductions. She indicated the handsome, sophisticated-looking blond at her side and said, “This is my dear friend Alastair Spencer-Penelegion. He’s an angel! He partnered with me so we could buy this building and fix it up real good for the young people who are going to be calling it home. He and his honey Sawyer MacNeil flew in from London for the fundraiser and the grand opening, which is happening in just a couple of weeks! Aren’t they the cutest couple?” The two men grinned at her, and Nana turned to me and asked, “Quinn, have you met Alastair and Sawyer?”
Even and I both shook hands with Alastair and his dazzling partner and exchanged the usual pleased-to-meet-yous. Sawyer was a tall, muscular guy who was absolutely striking in his tailored black suit, which he’d paired with red lipstick, a leather corset, and a pair of fierce stilettos. Normally, I would have gushed over Sawyer’s look and begged him to go shopping with me, but right then, I was a little too busy worrying about the giant hockey stud who was most definitely eyeing my boyfriend flirtatiously.
Duke, meanwhile, was still doing the deer-in-headlights thing. It was hard to gauge his reaction, aside from oh my God. But was that an ‘I’ve just met my sports idol’ oh my God, or an ‘I’ve just met the man I’ve lusted after for a decade’ oh my God? I really couldn’t tell.
Darwin appeared a moment later and said, “It’s time to assemble all the bachelors for the auction. Can you give me a hand, Nana? I think a couple of them are about to chicken out.”
Nana hiked up the neckline of her silver cocktail dress and said, “Not on my watch! Come on Duke, we gotta make like it’s the old west and do a roundup of those varmints! Where’s my grandson Dante? He was supposed to be keeping an eye on his bachelor friend Cameron Doyle, who was looking real squirrely last time I saw him. I bet ol’ Cam’s trying to make a break for it!” She grabbed Duke’s hand and towed him into the crowd as she yelled over her shoulder, “Pleasure to meet you, Even! Have a good time, and be sure to try the mini taco appetizers. They’re the shit!”
He chuckled at that, then asked us, “Does that mean they’re good? Because it sounds like a warning.”
Sawyer craned his neck and scanned the room as he said, “They’re awesome. In fact, I could go for about twenty more of them. Next time I spot a waiter, I’m going to hijack an entire tray.”
Alastair smiled at me as he said, with his posh English accent, “I’m craving another of those delightful biscuits. I know they’re meant for the dessert buffet, but I snuck one earlier. Nana told me you and Duke made them. Do you sell them locally?”
“Biscuits?”
“That’s Brit speak for cookies.” Sawyer flashed Alastair a teasing smile.
“Oh. Um, no. We don’t sell them yet, but we’ve talked about it.”
“When you do, gi
ve me a call,” Sawyer said. “I own a couple of coffee houses in London, and I’m about to open one here in San Francisco. I’d love to carry those delicious rainbow cookies. I already ate two of them.”
“You ate four,” Alastair said with a grin.
Sawyer clicked his tongue and told him, “That was supposed to be our secret.” Then he pulled Alastair close and kissed his forehead.
“I’m glad you like them,” I said. “I’d better go, since I’m supposed to be in that auction. It was nice meeting all of you.”
The bachelors had been told to meet on the second floor at nine sharp. When I went upstairs, Nana’s grandson Dante greeted me and checked my name off on his clipboard, then turned to an auburn-haired guy who was trying to slip away and bellowed, “Don’t even think about it, Doyle! You agreed to be a part of this thing, and you’re not going to disappoint my grandmother.”
“I was off my rocker when I agreed to it,” Cameron Doyle told him. He spoke with a faint Irish accent, and held open the flaps of his tan trench coat as he said, “Who the hell’s going to bid on this? Tell you what, I’ll just write your gran a nice, fat check and we’ll call it even, alright?” Cam was probably in his early thirties and around six feet tall, with soulful blue eyes and a nice build. He was actually a good-looking guy, but the rumpled suit and overcoat could have used a little help.
Dante’s expression softened, and he handed me the clipboard and crossed the room to his friend. “You need to get back out in the dating world, Cam. You and I both know it. Give me the trench coat, and let’s straighten your tie.”
“It’s going to be damned embarrassing if nobody bids on me,” Cameron said, as he handed over the coat and finger-combed his hair.
“That’s not going to happen. But if it did, I’d bid on you myself,” Dante told him. He brushed off the shoulders of Doyle’s wrinkled, navy-blue suit and said, “What have I told you about sleeping in your clothes?”
“I didn’t! And you can’t bid on me. You’re married! What would Charlie say?”
