Strings of the Heart (Runaway Train #3)(26)

Disdain flooded her face at the mention of the band. “Yes, I do.”

“This is his younger sister. She’s attending SCAD.”

“How lovely,” Rhys’s mother replied, with as much enthusiasm as if Rhys had said I was in Savannah for a prostitution convention. Instantly, I was assaulted by the line from Pretty Woman when Julia Roberts’s character, Vivian, says about Edward’s friend that you could freeze ice on his snotty wife’s ass. That was the epitome of Rhys’s mother.

Ignoring her tone, Rhys said to me, “This is my mother, Margaret.”

“It’s nice to meet you,” I said, extending my hand.

After she gave my hand a quick shake, she turned her attention back to Rhys. “I hope that you’ll fetch a good price tonight at the auction.”

“I think we’re going to raise a good deal.”

“You misunderstood me. I meant, I hope you bring in a lot of money.”

Rhys dark brows knitted in confusion. “I don’t think I understand.”

“You’re the final bachelor of the evening.”

I couldn’t help gasping in surprise, especially after the conversation we’d just had. Rhys also appeared floored, but then his face reddened with anger. “I don’t recall agreeing to be paraded around tonight, Mother. In fact, I’m pretty sure you know how I feel about auctions.”

She gave a dismissive wave of her diamond encrusted hand. “It’s all for a good cause, isn’t it?”

“I don’t like being played like this. I think I will have to graciously bow out.”

Margaret narrowed her eyes at him. “With your name already in the program? I don’t think so, Rhys.” When Rhys started to protest further, Margaret shook her head. “I will not have my event ruined by your petty demands.”

As an antique clock struck the hour, Margaret jerked her chin up at Rhys. “It’s time to start the auction.” Without another word, she turned and stalked away from us.

Rhys’s jaw clenched and unclenched. Reaching out, I tentatively touched his arm. When he didn’t flinch away, I patted him. “I’m so sorry.”

He momentarily closed his eyes. “It’s okay. I don’t know why I’m even surprised. She does bullshit like this all the time.”

“I know earlier I was teasing, but if I had any money, I’d totally bet on you.”

Rhys’s eyes popped open and a smile curved on his lips. “I think that’s a great idea.”

“But—” I started to protest.

He shook his head. “To ensure that I don’t have to be someone’s plaything for an evening, I’ll give you the money to bet on me.”

“Seriously?”

“Sure. Why not?”

“But how will I know when to stop?”

“That’s the thing. You won’t stop. You will be the winner. Okay?”

I nodded. “Okay.”

Rhys leaned in and kissed my cheek. “Thanks, Allison. You’re a lifesaver.”

I enjoyed the nearness of him for a fleeting moment before he whirled around and made his way to the front of the study. Picking up a microphone off a marble-topped table, he stood behind a small wooden podium that had been brought in. “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you’ve come here ready to dig deeply into your pockets for this wonderful cause because it’s now time to start the auction for autism research.”

Applause rippled through the room. “I am your host this evening, Rhys McGowan—” He was interrupted by shrieking whistles and cheers. He smiled good-naturedly. “Thank you, I appreciate your enthusiasm. I hope you’re paying attention to your programs this evening for which bachelors are available and in what order. So let’s get this started by calling up our first bachelor of the evening, Walt Harrison.”

I stood back, watching Rhys go through the motions. He was actually quite good at emceeing. He kept the crowd laughing and the bachelors moving through.

I was momentarily distracted when a girl my age bumped into me. “Nice dress.”

“Oh, thank you. I actually borrowed it from a friend.”

A sickeningly sweet smile appeared on her face. “No doubt from the back of her closet considering it’s so old. I can’t even count how many seasons ago that dress was fashionable.”

Her friends encircling her giggled behind their hands. While there were a million and one things I wanted to say to her, I found it incapable to verbalize any one of them. Gripping my champagne flute tighter, I merely edged away from the group of stereotypical society bitches.

I had just taken a sip of bubbly to calm my nerves when a voice behind me caused me to choke. “Don’t worry about my niece, honey. She’s a second generation cunt.”

Whirling around, I took in an elegantly woman in an emerald dress. Her salt and pepper hair was swept back from her face with glittering combs. She gave me a genuine smile—the first one I had witnessed all night besides Rhys’s. “Thank you…I think.”

She laughed. Extending a white gloved hand, she said, “I’m Vivian Percy.”

“Allison Slater.”

“I don’t think I’ve seen you around these shark-infested waters before.”

“No, thankfully, this is my first time and hopefully my last.”