“Yes, they were supposed to be in the auction but something…happened,” I noted distractedly as the two made their way over.
I stood up, and Memphis pulled me into his hulking frame, embracing me. “Girl, I’m happy to see you,” he murmured in a low rumbling timbre reminiscent of a megastar soul singer.
I snuggled in and tightened my hold, allowing myself a moment with my new friend. We hadn’t known one another long, but for some reason, being auction candidates had connected us in a way that was hard to explain. I chalked it up to a shared experience or maybe just people meant to be friends. Whatever it was, those ties ran deep, and I was glad to see them.
He let me go, and I turned to Jade, tugging her into my arms. She stood stiff as a board but patted my back and gave me a slight smile. It was the best I could hope for with Jade. The woman so far had been entirely composed, outside of when I saw her running from the stage sobbing earlier this evening.
“What happened to you guys?” I dipped my head closer to the two, trying to keep my tone at a whisper.
Jade’s lips flattened into a thin, compressed line, but she didn’t speak. Memphis lifted his chin toward something over my shoulder.
I spun around and whisked my curls out of my face. “Oh my goodness me. Memphis Taylor, Jade Lee, meet my um… fiancé, Erik Johansen,” I said, making introductions.
Erik held out his hand and shook both Memphis’s, then Jade’s. “Please, sit down. Join us.”
Memphis’s eyes widened. “I’m afraid this place is a bit too rich for my pocketbook, brother. We checked the menu and were about to go somewhere else…”
My heart sank and I instantly looked to Erik for help. Why? I didn’t know. It was a natural response, and once I did it, I couldn’t take it back. This man, my intended, had already shown he’d take care of me and my needs, whatever they were.
Erik shifted, curling his hands around one of the two open chairs at our table and pulling it out. “Nonsense. You will be our guests. Friends of Savannah’s are friends of mine. Please.” He bowed slightly. “My treat, of course. It’s been a long day, I’m sure we all need to eat and relax. I’d be honored if you’d join us.”
I preened under Erik’s kindness, then as if lulled by a supreme sense of security, I stepped to his side and wrapped my arm around his waist, allowing my front to rest against his side. “Yes, Erik’s right. I’d love to sit with friends this evening. Besides, we need to catch up.”
Memphis shrugged. “If you really don’t mind, it’s cool with me. If it’s cool with Jade?” He looked at her and waited for her reply.
“That’s very kind of you, Mr. Johansen. Thank you.” She was back to being prim and proper as she took the seat Erik offered and sat down.
Memphis eased his bulky frame into the last chair, and we all took our seats.
While drink and food orders were taken, I reached under the table and grabbed Erik’s hand where it rested on his thigh. I curled my fingers around his and waited for him to look at me. His eyes widened as he interlaced our fingers.
“Thank you,” I mouthed, and he gifted me one of those enormous, gorgeous smiles that dug deep into my soul to a place I found he’d somehow taken possession of in a single day.
Our drinks were delivered along with a couple of appetizers Erik had added to our order.
I sipped a lovely, buttery white wine, letting the tension in my shoulders drop as I finally felt like I could relax. “So, now that we’ve ordered and have drinks, what happened with the auction?”
Memphis sucked in a sharp breath of air and peeked at Jade.
She groaned under her breath but sat up straight in her chair. Her almond-shaped eyes were lined with kohl that accentuated her lashes making them look a mile long. Her lips were cherry red and a stark contrast to her olive skin tone. The woman was drop-dead gorgeous.
“I only had a few interested persons initially. It upset me deeply. Then when Madam Alana requested I remove my dress right there on the spot, I froze. It wasn’t my best moment, to be sure. When the hecklers started up, I just ran.”
“Madam Alana did request security remove those men after you left. She seemed as upset at the proceedings as you were,” Erik added.
Jade nodded. “We talked with her after the event was over. She’s going to allow both Memphis and me to enter into the next auction a little over three months from now.”
“Ah, I see. That makes sense. I’m glad you’ll have another opportunity,” I agreed.
“I just wish I hadn’t reacted so emotionally.” She scowled as if it hurt her to admit it. “That’s when the big fella here offered to stay with me and forgo tonight’s auction. Chivalrous to your own detriment, Mr. Taylor.” She chastised Memphis and demurely sipped her red wine.
“Sounds to me like you have a good friend in Mr. Taylor,” Erik complimented.
“Memphis, please, both of you. Mr. Taylor reminds me of my father.” His dark brows rose as he looked at Erik and then Jade. “Besides, my momma would tan my ass if I’d left a woman in tears to manage all by herself. And like Jade said, we were told we could both enter into the next one. No harm, no foul. Just a delay in the game.”
Erik reached out a hand and clapped Memphis on the shoulder. “Silver linings. Positive outlook. I like that.” He nodded and released his hold.
“And what about you two? What’s next on the agenda?” Memphis asked while shoveling an entire piece of bruschetta into his mouth.
“We’re taking things one day at a time. Together. Right, Erik?”
He nodded and reached for my hand, held it, and brought it to his lips where he kissed my knuckles. His beard and mustache tickled the skin there and I shivered, gooseflesh appearing on my arms. His irises went from a caramel color mixed liberally with green to a burning golden brown. Like a torch that had just been lit.
“I’d walk to the ends of the Earth to be with you, Savannah.” His gaze didn’t stray even for a second from mine when he dropped that honesty bomb.
My breath caught and I held his hand firmly, finding it hard to look away from him when all I wanted to do was melt deeper into the warm honey of his gaze.
“Anyway, we’re um…” I shook my head and focused back on our new friends. “I’m sorry, what were we talking about?”
Memphis grinned wide and shook his head, hiding his sudden laughter behind his cocktail glass. Jade was smirking, and I suddenly felt as though the room’s temperature had tripled in degrees.
“You and me, taking things one day at a time,” Erik supplied helpfully.
“Right!” I squeaked out. “I believe after tomorrow’s meeting we’ll be heading to Norway?”
Erik nodded. “I’d love to show you my home. Introduce you to my family.”
Family.