The Risks we take

Five

Sloane

"Are you sure about this?" Logan whispered in my ear. This whole night had been Drew's idea. 'You cannot go alone, you'll look inexperienced'. One call was all it had taken. I'd known him for years. "It's not too late to pull out you know? You could end up with any of them."

"So bid for me." I smiled, pushing his paddle towards him. "It's not like we haven't been out before."

"I am not taking you on a date because I paid for you Sloane."

"It's for charity. A bit of fun. Lighten up Einstein." Okay maybe I knew Logan a little better than I let on.

"This is serious Sloane. Some of these guys- I wouldn't trust them as far as I could throw them."

"That would be a lot more powerful if you weren't weak."

"Why'd I agree to come with you tonight?"

"Because you like being teased and pretending you don't." He blinked at me like he was waiting for a punchline. "It's fine Logan. What's the worst that could happen?"

"Don't make me roll the list of things off Sloane." He looked around the room again.

"Okay look, it's your choice. See who bids on it. When it narrows down and it looks like it's going to someone you wouldn't trust, bid and I'll go halves on it with you."

"Fine but I'm capping it at 50k."

"Your ambitious." I laughed, shaking my head at him slightly. There was no way someone was about to pay $50,000 to charity for a date with me. When Mr Palmer approached me last week and asked me to do this, he posed it as a fun little change to his usual sales of boats, rare antiques and experiences around the world. He'd never auctioned off a date before but I was new, no one really knew much about me. He said it was the perfect opportunity for him to make a good chunk of money for his charity and for me to show I wasn't all serious like my parents. Which was essential for making Rise seem less stuck up and more casual. So, I agreed. It would be a good way for me to meet new faces around here anyway and it's all about connections in this world. Favours I can call in when I need them. Making strong friendships that people aren't willing to break. It was essential. This was the easiest way. So, I agreed.

The bid was introduced, the whole room of a thousand people staring at me on the big screen. A live camera pointed at me to capture my reaction. This was going to test me poker face better than anything. I had to look happy about whoever ended with the date. It was all money for a charity I didn't quite know much about but whatever it was would be a good way to spend money rather than it sitting in a bank.

"Shall we start the bidding at $1,000?" Boards went up around the room and I stifled a laugh. Listening to numbers go up and up, boards slowly coming down. Drew told me the names of people as they did. It was interesting knowing how much people though I was worth spending money on. Not that it mattered. Most of these people were probably looking for stories to sell. Hoping maybe I'd let slip some huge family secret or that me and Logan are engaged and I'm pregnant. I feel like that might blow up the media over here if it was true. I can't think of anything that would make me marry Logan if I'm honest. He was a great guy. Just not my type. We looked good together though. That's what people had been saying all night. It was kind of the point though. For us to look well suited. "18?"

I blinked focusing back on Savage as he called out 20 thousand. 22. 24. Boards were still staying up though it had now dwindled down to 3 people.

"There's only one person in that group who can afford to go much higher than this Sloane and there isn't a chance in hell I'm letting you go on a date with him." Intriguing. Logan's fingers gripped tight around the paddle in his lap. One left. "For God's sake." He stood up. "37 thousand." The room gasped at the sudden entrance of another bidder just before the hammer went down.

"38."

"40." I lifted my head as the two men decided they were going to war over a damn date. I couldn't see who it was through the crowd. Not with Logan stood right in front of me.

"40 thousand. Are you insane?" I tugged on Logan's jacket but was ignored.

"50." Logan tensed.

"55."

"60."

"Logan stop."

"80." Oh my god.

"100 thousand dollars. Cash."

"Don't you even dare go higher than him Logan."

"You are not-"

"It's one date for charity. Sit your ass down." I pulled again. "It's not that big of a deal." I was bright red, looking around the room for whoever was stupid enough to waste- of course. I kept smiling as he walked across the room in silence. Logan looking like he was about to escort Reed outside and leave him with more than a sore pocket.

"Nice game Reyes. It'd be nice if you could give up a little easier though next time."

"I can assure you Lawson, there will not be a next time."

"Tomorrow night." He slipped me a card, holding it out between two extended fingers. "Text me your address."

"You're not picking me up. I can meet you there."

"Your prerogative." Drew scribbled my number down onto his card and held it out to him. "I'll text you where. Wear a dress."

"If I want to show up in sweat pants and a hoodie you can't stop me." He smirked, turned and walked away. Leaving me to turn back to the table and slowly sip my drink. God I miss alcohol.

"This is not good." Drew sighed.

"No. It's fine. I know how he plays. I can beat him at his own game."