Concern filled his eyes.
“You were injured too?” “I was her discharging doctor.” His eyebrows went up in surprise.
“You are a doctor?
I never would have thought.” I stared at him.
“I don’t look like a doctor?” “Now that’s trapping me, Miss.
Doctor.” He corrected.
“You should have fixed us right away for according you with the wrong title.” Geez, even his speech sounded like royalty.
“I’m a doctor every other day,” I shrugged my shoulders.
“Maybe tonight I just wanted to not be a doctor.” He nodded slowly.
“Very well, I’ll stay with ‘Miss’.
But believe me, either one suits you.
You are pretty enough to carry both.” I blinked.
Was he flirting with me?
“Was that where you met Roman?” “Um…” I coughed softly, “Yes.” “How was it?” A nightmare.
“He was everything a worried family member would be.
Still he was not easy to deal with.” Eli was nodding.
“He must have been infuriating.
I know how much of a high-born asshole he can be.” God help me I nearly exploded in a laugh.
Somehow, I managed to sniffle it.
Even his insults are elegant and beautifully expressed.
“Does he know this is what you think of him?” I asked, trying to compose myself, my hand on my mouth.
“Much.” Megan, you cannot laugh at this.
On the podium, the gavel fell for the second time since Eli and I started talking.
Then they called for the fourth item of the evening.
“Miss, you are a delight to converse with, but pardon me.
I need to let this item steal my attention.
I’ve always wanted one.” “Sure.” We gave full attention to the auction.
A coin was placed carefully on the raised platform.
The auctioneer explained that it was a rare ancient Roman aureus, minted during the reign of Emperor Augustus around the first century BCE.
The coin was remarkably preserved, struck in gold, with Augustus’s profile on one side and a symbolic reverse design on the other.
The opening bid was announced.
Three million.
Then five.
Eight.
I watched in disbelief as the numbers climbed.
Ten.
Twelve.
“Thirteen million.
Anyone else?
Nobody?
Going once, going twice.” The hammer fell and the auctioneer shouted.
“Sold!
To Mr Worthington for thirteen million dollars!” Eli lowered his paddle, a satisfied smile on his face.
I stared at him.
Goodness!
Thirteen million dollars.
For a coin.
I had been wrong.
He had not been flirting with me.
There was no way someone like him would even consider someone like me, let alone flirt with me.
No wonder Roman had behaved the way he did at the hospital.
He was constantly surrounded by people who bought old and odd stuff just for the thrill of it.
I bought stuff I needed.
If I didn’t need it, I was not buying.
End of story.
Our world must be a major turnoff for him.
I sipped my champagne, and even if I didn’t want to, stole a glance at Roman.
He was talking to Jordan?
No, Jonathan now, who was sitting on his other side.
Again, I saw how well he looked in the tuxedo.
He must have been born in one.
Unlike that day at the hospital when fear and his hands through his hair had ruined the look, tonight he looked collected, in charge, confident.
Suddenly he glanced up at me and our eyes met.
I quickly turned away, but not before my stomach did a little flip.
Indigestion.
I told myself.
It was the champagne arguing with the burger I’d had for dinner.
Riley’s face shifted into my orbit.
“Please, tell me you are having fun.” “I am.” Not really.
I had no money to participate in the auction, and even if I did, what could I possibly want here?
Everything was either weird, ugly, or didn’t hold any meaning to me.
Eli just bought a coin for thirteen million dollars.
I was still trying to comprehend the amount.
Goodness!
“Our next item for the night is something the gentlemen would appreciate,” the auctioneer said, grinning.
“Yes, this is going to be amazing,” Riley whispered to me.
I frowned.
She looked suspiciously pleased with herself.
“Please forgive me, and tell me this will not ruin our friendship.” I stared at her.
Again with the forgiveness.
“Riley, what have you done?” “You wanted to donate something, so I donated something on your behalf,” she touched her ear.
“If it makes you feel better, I’m doing it too.” It would make me feel better if she told me what she donated.
“Is it a blood donation?” “No,” she chuckled.
“It is not that kind of donation.” What was it then?
“Megan Holt.” My name exploded from the auctioneer’s mouth.
“Dr.
Megan Holt,” he repeated, “We need you here.
You are the first.” I turned to Riley.
She was smiling.
Then she gave a double thumbs up.
She looked entirely too happy.
“For what?
The first for what, Riley?” Before I could demand an explanation, two ushers in black dresses appeared beside my chair.
“Dr.
Holt?” I turned.
“Yes?” “Please come with us.” I looked at Riley.
She was practically glowing.
When my eyes wandered to Roman, he was frowning.
Why was he frowning?
He should be happy I was being forced to do something I didn’t even know about yet.
I should have listened to my instincts and the many warnings from the universe and gone back home.
“Listen, whatever it is,” I tried to explain.
“I can’t do it.” “Please come with us, Doctor,” One of the women gently touched my arm.
“It is a charity fundraiser.
No one is allowed to refuse.” Reluctantly, I stood and followed them.
My heart was pounding.
The room suddenly grew enormous.
Hundreds of eyes turned toward me as the two women led me through the tables.
My heart was pounding erratically.
Any more and my blood vessel would pay the price.
The spotlight hit me as I reached the podium causing me to squint against the brightness.
Thank goodness for the ushers or I would have fallen and passed out.
In retrospect, it wasn’t such a bad idea, except for the embarrassment.
The auctioneer smiled, forcing my hand for a handshake.
Then, “Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have something very special.” I looked at him.
Then at Riley.
Then, inevitably, across the room.
Roman was watching me.
His expression had gone completely still.
I swallowed.
The auctioneer lifted his microphone.
“Dr.
Megan Holt,” he gestured, “works at the emergency department of Newlife Hospital.
She has graciously agreed to auction out her first dance of the evening.” My jaw dropped.
“What?” Laughter and applause rippled through the room.
I turned toward Riley.
She waved enthusiastically, then blew me a kiss.
I know we have only just met, but I was going to kill her.
And judging by the way Roman was staring at me from across the room, I had a feeling he might forgive me for it.
But obviously, I was mistaken.