A year later...

Dressed in a new gown, Tate waited for the car to pick her up. A year before she was supposed to get married. A year before she had had the best sex of her life. Since then she had tried to stay away from Jimmy Sinclair. Some times were easier than others. The downside to her brother, Baxter, being engaged to her friend, Ivy, meant Jimmy was always around. Usually, all it took was a sad look and Tate could slip away without anyone caring. Poor Tate, jilted at the altar.

Tate didn't miss Duncan. He had called her and asked how she was. If he thought she was waiting for him he was wrong. She would rather be alone. Rumors were his relationship was on the rocks again. Maybe it was publicity for the next race. Kasper was leaving soon to compete with Juniper, who he met on the island reality show. The public thought they were a couple, but they hadn't seen each other for months. Kasper had not been linked to any other women, which was part of his contract.

When the car pulled up in front of her building, Macintyre met her at the door. She wondered how he would be in bed. A year was a long time to go without sex. Along with her three siblings and Ivy, she crowded into the black SUV.

Tate smiled at Kasper. "You look handsome. Ready to meet the old lady of your dreams?"

"Not you too. They've been teasing me."

"Not me. I've stood on that stage more than my share. Thankfully, I'm not single." As Baxter kissed Ivy's cheek, Tate's heart deflated. She wanted what they had.

Ivy giggled. "I'm curious about this bachelor auction. Is Jimmy in it every year? He'll raise a lot for charity."

Baxter laughed. "I'm not sure how he avoided it, but it's his first time."

"Maybe I should bid on my ex." Ivy teased Baxter.

"Sweetheart, you haven't made enough to pay for Jimmy."

Tate knew Ivy was joking. She had spent time the past summer jealous of her friend. Even when Ivy told her she and Jimmy were just friends, Tate didn't believe her.

"Jimmy only dated Ivy to make you jealous." Tate felt the need to say it even though everyone knew the story.

As their vehicle pulled up to the venue, Tate took a deep breath. Another evening avoiding Jimmy. She had the money to bid on him, but she wouldn't. He made it clear they were to retreat to their corners. The same corners they had been in since she turned sixteen. Just to prove he meant it, he left her while she was still asleep. She could see him slinking through the hotel hallway with a cake stained shirt. Jimmy Sinclair probably put on his shoes and tie.

Kasper squeezed her hand. "Cheer up, you have me and Doyle as your dates."

Doyle scoffed. "Not my idea of a threesome."

Baxter demanded, "Tell me you're joking."

Doyle looked past him. "Ivy, is he any fun in bed or are you really after his money?"

Kasper got in Doyle's face. "That's not nice."

"Chill, Kasp. I was joking."

Tate doubted he could be as good as Jimmy. The Kanes drew attention as the five of them entered together. Philip had purchased a table, so it was a family affair. Their mother had been more accepting of Ivy, but the siblings conspired so Amelia was two or three seats from their future sister-in-law.

Tate did her part by taking the seat next to her mother. Unfortunately, the empty seat ended up next to her. Just what she needed to remind herself she had been alone since she was jilted the year before.

The event was like countless others. The line for the cash bar was much too long. She sat with the ladies while the men went for drinks. Like Waldo on a busy page, Tate's eyes found Jimmy in a crowded room. He stood talking with an older man, but his hand was possessively on the back of a chair occupied by a gorgeous woman with auburn hair. Their casual intimacy caused knots in her belly. They couldn't be serious if he was in the auction. Was a man a bachelor if he was dating?

"Tate. Tate."

She slowly turned to her mother. "Sorry, mother. What were you saying?"

"You need to stop pouting over that fiasco. It's been a year. Your father has gotten over the bill for nothing. I've accepted that the hotel lost your dress."

Doyle laughed. "They didn't lose it. Some housekeeper looked like a snow queen in her own wedding."

"It's my fault. I left it. I was furious as I packed the next morning." At Jimmy for being a coward.

She watched as Baxter stopped to shake Jimmy's hand. He spoke to his date, but Tate refused to ask about her. Maybe Ivy had met her. She envisioned the two couples socializing at Baxter's new house.

Her father put a glass of red in front of her. "Cheer up, Tate. The right man is out there for you."

Amelia frowned. "She needs to focus on finding someone from a prestigious family."

Baxter scoffed. "Love optional."

Philip frowned. "You never should have given her the cross at seventeen. I warned you."

"She probably kissed a pimply face kid, while she was drunk in highschool and doesn't remember." Kasper laughed like he was funny.

Ivy said, "Maybe he's one of those guys who turn out totally hot like Neville. Your eyes will meet across the room and have an instant connection."

As Ivy explained to Baxter who Neville from the Harry Potter movies was, Tate's damn eyes sought Jimmy again. He lifted his glass with a nod. Not pimply or a kid. Hot then and still hot. She looked away.

Dinner was served and Tate wished they were in the dining room at home. When the conversation turned to the future wedding, she wished she was anywhere else.

After excusing herself, she escaped to the ladies' room. As she entered, Jimmy's date walked past her. A sweet voice said, "Excuse me."

Upclose, Tate found nothing to dislike about her, except the obvious. Tate knew how Jimmy's dates ended. Her gut lurched at the memory. Sitting to restore control, she gazed in the mirror. Her own brown hair couldn't compare to the uniqueness of auburn. Sighing, Tate's eyes were her best feature.

"Tate, don't frown, you'll get permanent lines." Her old friend, Faith, walked out of a stall visibly pregnant. She had married Jarrod Junior in a quick island wedding. Apparently, her baby was worthy of being born a Bates, unlike his other kids. Tate would rather be single than marry a pervert.

"Faith, you're glowing. Congratulations. You and Jarrod must be so happy."

Tate could recognize a fake smile. "We definitely are." As Faith dried her hands, she said, "Call me, we'll go out for brunch."

Tate fixed her lipstick. Next to her in the mirror, Faith touched up her deep red lips. She pivoted. "Jarrod will wonder what happened to me. I'm looking forward to the auction."

By the time Tate went back to the table Kasper had disappeared. She sat in his seat because it faced the stage and leaned over to Doyle. "I saw Faith. Jarrod's going to be a father again."

"I wondered how she hooked him into marriage." Doyle laughed. "She trapped him. I give it six months."

Baxter leaned in. "A year tops."

"At least I didn't have to be her bridesmaid."

Ivy turned pale. "Tate, if you don't want to."

"Of course, I do. I love you. I'm not sure I like Faith." She was part of some nasty rumors spread about Baxter's manhood.

The auction began and Tate watched old women bid for young men. Doyle leaned in. "Let's buy Jimmy."

Tate shook her head. "You don't like him."

"Because he's more controlling than Baxter. He's the big brother I never asked for. You don't like him either."

"I..."

"I get it. I do. We all remember. We should at least raise his price for whatever old lady wants him."

Secretly, she wanted to bid for him. It would force him out of his corner, but for nothing, since was dating.

Kasper appeared under the spotlight looking like a natural. He had taken off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt.

Doyle whispered, "He looks like a porn star."

The table erupted, and he glared their way for a moment. There was a bidding war going. A woman about thirty won him.

Baxter groaned. "He's in trouble. She's after a husband."

Tate teased. "He's contractually dating Juniper." Ivy laughed at her legal joke.

Finally, Jimmy stepped out. An older woman at his table held up her paddle to start the bidding and countered every bid. It had to be prearranged. Feeling spiteful, Tate raised her paddle. Doyle giggled. She kept repeating it until the other women bet ten thousand. Tate put her paddle down and Doyle high-fived her.

After the auction, Kasper returned pushing her back to her seat. "Did you see my date? She's not old."

"Be careful, son."

Jimmy walked over. "Hello, Kanes." He looked at the other side of the table. "Who wanted me?"

No one answered him and Tate braced herself as he sat in the empty chair. His presence took over the space. She felt his heat coming off his thigh as it brushed her leg.

Baxter teased. "Did you bring in the jackpot?"

Jimmy laughed. "I thought Tarzan did." As the servers appeared with trays, Jimmy smiled. "Cake. I love cake." Tate felt the heat move across her cheeks. When the server put a piece in front of Jimmy, he picked up the fork. "What's this flavor?" She kicked his ankle, but he didn't flinch. After a few bites, he stood. "Sorry, my date needs me."

He dashed off to his date who had been talking to another man. She didn't think he was the jealous type. Tate tried to take a bite of cake but couldn't. The band was playing a jazz standard and couples were on the dance floor. She didn't want to watch Jimmy dance with a beautiful woman. She took out her phone and texted Macintyre.

Amelia said, "Do you feel alright?"

"Not really. I'm going home."

When she walked through the lobby, the large vehicle was waiting at the door.

"How was your evening, Miss. Tate?"

"Mac, I'll tell you a secret. These things are never as exciting as you'd expect."

He shook his head. "I wouldn't expect anything. I'll have you home in no time."

As many of you know, we have enjoyed this evening before. If you don't know Jimmy's date read Bet on You.

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