Camila and Lauren walked back into the gala hand in hand. They returned to the table and Camila offered to refresh Lauren's drink. She strode toward the bar and Lauren sat down. Dinah immediately draped her arm over Lauren and pulled her in for a side hug.
"You okay?" Dinah asked.
"I'm fine," Lauren sighed out, "I guess jealousy isn't a good look on me."
"Hey, this isn't on you," Dinah insisted, "Selena was a complete jerk."
"Lauren, she's drunk," Mike said, "And when she's drunk, she's a mess. She always was. The rest of us grew up. Looks like she didn't."
Camila returned with the fresh drink and placed it in front of Lauren. She leaned in for a quick kiss then sat down next to her. The band was leaving the stage and the emcee for the night got onto the microphone. He thanked everyone for coming and announced the start of the live auction. The first item donated was an elegant emerald and diamond pendant. Ally looked at Troy and smiled.
"I'm thinking Christmas present...," Ally teased. Troy heard the opening bid of $2500.00 and nearly spit out his drink, making everyone at the table chuckle.
They all chatted and discussed the items coming up in the auction, enjoying the company and the liveliness of the bidding. The last item came up and the screen showed a picture of a charming European-style hotel a couple of hours up the coast.
"Our last item is a three night stay in Carmel-by-the-Sea at L'Auberge Carmel, including the famed Carmel Wine Walk, with ten different tasting rooms, an in-room couples massage and an eight course tasting dinner at Michelin Star restaurant Aubergine," the emcee announced, "Bidding will start at $5000.00."
The bidding began and creeped up slowly to $6,200.00.
"I hear 62, can I get 63?" the emcee asked.
"$6,300," a voice yelled.
Everyone at the table looked over to see Selena, standing with her paddle, giggling and waving it at the emcee.
"I have $6,300, do I have 64?" the emcee asked. The room grew quiet, "I have $6,300 going once..."
"$6,500," Lauren said, raising her paddle.
Camila nearly spit out her drink and Normani had to cover her mouth to keep from laughing. Selena looked over and caught Lauren's eye and winked. Lauren stared her down.
"6,600," Selena shouted loudly, grinning at the emcee.
Camila turned to Lauren and looked at her wide eyed, "Lo, that's a lot of money."
"Ten thousand," Lauren answered.
"Well, fuck," Dinah said, raising her glass toward Camila and chuckling, "I thought you were competitive."
Selena looked over at Lauren again and sat down, realizing there was no winning the fight.
"Ten thousand to the lady in the red dress," the emcee said, hitting his gavel on the stand, "Once, twice, sold!"
"Guess we'll be taking an adventure after all," Lauren said, smiling wickedly at Camila and giggling.
"That might be the most badass thing I've ever seen," Ally said, laughing.
The band came back for their last set and the party resumed. Everyone at the table got up to dance, leaving only Camila and Lauren.
"That was pretty badass," Camila agreed, leaning over and kissing Lauren softly.
"I do what I can," Lauren answered, chuckling, "Do you wanna dance?"
"I really can't," Camila said, looking forlorn, "Not that I was very good before, but it's been a long day already and my leg is sore. I don't think I'm up for it."
YOU ARE READING
By Sun and Candlelight / CAMREN
FanfictionLauren is raising her three-year-old daughter alone. She's moved them to Alta Vista where she'll teach at the community college to get a fresh start and get away from her family. Camila lives in Alta Vista with her sister Dinah. She's trying to reco...
