Chapter 23
After watching Ashleigh walk out of his life for good, a bachelor auction was the last place Hunter wanted to be. But this was Jill's night and he would be there for her. He stepped inside the door of the oceanfront dining room of the Captain's Catch and was amazed. What was a nice but ordinary restaurant dining room this morning had been transformed into an extraordinary room filled with enchantment and expectation. A multitude of round tables covered with white tablecloths, fresh flowers, and sparkling gold taffeta faced a large stage. There was an open bar, and a bottle of champagne on every table. Jill had really outdone herself.
All his friends were there. Paul and Holly, dressed to the nines. Daniel and Sabrina, who still weren't able to keep their eyes off each other or stop touching were dancing in the corner to music coming from the sound system, since the band hadn't started yet. Even Xavier had decided to make an appearance, which surprised Hunter, since Xavier valued his privacy above all else and they rarely saw him at public events. And there was Michael standing by the bar with Jill and Wade, who Hunter hadn't seen in a while. He walked toward them and kissed Jill on the cheek. "Everything looks beautiful."
She bounced up on her toes, her smile wide and contagious. "Thank you. Holly and Sabrina created the table arrangements and Wade did all the posters and handouts. Aren't they fabulous?" She gave Wade a huge grin as she pushed a program into Hunter's hands. "I can't believe it's all coming together so perfectly."
Hunter glanced down at the glossy cover of five bachelors in tuxedo silhouettes under a large showcased title—Southampton Habitat Bachelor Auction.
"And what about me?" Michael asked, feigning a deep wound to his chest.
"And Michael was invaluable," she added with a nod.
"Damn right," Michael said. "In fact, I have to check on that very sexy hostess and make sure she has the latest guest list."
Jill smirked after he hurried away, then turned to Hunter and clapped her hands together. "We are sold out! We are going to have a full house." She could barely contain herself. Before he could respond, she grabbed his arm. "I have to go check on the kitchen." She turned on her heel and disappeared.
Hunter grinned after her then turned to Wade and shook his hand. "Thank you for doing this." He held up the brochure.
"It was my pleasure."
"It's good to see you. How have you been?"
"Good. Busy. I just landed the IndyCar account."
Hunter laughed. "Oh, no, let me guess, you're about to buy a car and team?" He wouldn't be at all surprised if Wade raced it himself.
Wade's grin was sly. "I'm thinking about it. I'll be over to Watkins Glen in a few weeks for the big race to check them out."
"Nice." Hunter was tempted to join him. A good distraction was just what he needed, but he'd been neglecting his work of late. His foreman, Tom Wales, was doing a terrific job managing the company, but Hunter needed to keep himself busy enough that he wouldn't be able to think about Ashleigh. If that was possible.
"What's this I hear about you and Leigh West?" Wade asked.
The question sliced through Hunter's heart. He shrugged, not giving anything away. "Just an old friend. Nothing to tell."
Wade's eyes narrowed. He obviously knew there was more to the story than that, but didn't push it. "Lucky man."
"I need a drink." Hunter turned to the bartender and ordered himself a scotch. Tonight was going to be a long night. Before he could take a sip, Jill was back.
"I can't believe tonight is finally here and not a single hiccup," she said.
He wouldn't exactly say that. "Who else is coming?" Hunter asked, feeling the burn of too big a drink. He knew it was too much to hope Ashleigh would change her mind. What was done was done.
"Jay and Tara are still out cruising and couldn't make it," Jill said, assuming he meant the other members of the Eternal Bachelor Club. "Zach and Rochelle are vacationing in the South of France. But they sent their love and their favorite band. They are amazing and will be performing dirty-horn singing swing. No one will be sitting in their seats once they start playing."
Hunter glanced toward the band setting up in the corner.
Jill touched his arm. "I know this is going to be a tough night for you. I don't know how I will ever be able to thank you and your friends for all you've done for me. You've all gone above and beyond to make this night a success. I've never seen anything like it. And neither has my boss, Mr. Taylor."
Hunter glanced at the man she'd gestured toward. He was talking with the mayor and the members of the city council, and from the smile that almost reached his earlobes, he was very pleased.
"Once people heard Leigh West was going to be here, anyone who was anyone started buying tickets. I am so grateful to her."
"That's terrific." Hunter took another slug of his scotch and closed his eyes as it warmed his chest. He'd need a few more of these if he was going to make it through the night.
"So, when do I get to meet her?" Wade asked.
"Oh, she couldn't come," Jill said, and glanced at Hunter before turning her attention back to Wade. "She wanted to, but she got a movie role she'd been hoping for. They're flying her to Paris as we speak."
"Paris," Wade repeated. "Nice."
Wade looked down at his program. "So who is going to MC the auction?"
"Violet Perkins is going to be our MC. I'm hoping her star power will be big enough to appease those who wanted to see Leigh."
"I'm sure it will go great."
"Thanks, Wade. Oh, my boss wants me. See you later." In a flash, she was across the room.
"Violet Perkins," Wade repeated. "I know that name."
"I'm sure you do," Hunter said dryly. At that moment, Violet walked through the door and every head in the room turned. She was wearing a designer gown, bright red, that was cut down to her belly button. One quick move and her wardrobe malfunction would be the delight of over half the crowd there. Her blond hair looked twice as big as the last time he'd seen it, and a couple of shades lighter. Her cat eyes landed on him and her overly painted red lips curved into a large smile.
Hunter cringed.
She made a beeline toward him with an entourage of photographers traveling in her wake.
"Hello, Violet," he said, and glanced at Wade, who had one eyebrow raised.
She leaned in close and cooed in his ear. "Buy a girl a drink?"
"Absolutely." Hunter took a step back and turned to the bartender. "Give the lady anything she wants, and another scotch for me."
"Anything?" She drew her index finger down the lapel of his jacket. "Be careful what you offer, Mr. Hamilton. Because there is a lot I want from you." Her overly glossy lips came close to his. "A very lot."
She was oozing sex. He could almost smell it on her. Too bad every time he looked at her, he saw Ashleigh.
"I'll have what he's having," she told the bartender.
"This is my friend, Wade Williams," Hunter said, gesturing toward Wade.
She smiled at him and offered her hand. Ever the charmer, Wade took her hand in his, bent over, and kissed it while looking up into her eyes. "The pleasure is all mine."
Violet laughed. "You have great friends, Hunter."
Hunter picked up both drinks off the bar and handed her one. "Sorry about the Paris role," he said, hoping the change of subject might send her away.
"No biggie," she said with a shrug, though the shadow that flitted through her eyes said otherwise. "I have three more auditions in L.A. next week. Unfortunately, this will be my last night in Southampton. I was hoping you could help me make it a memorable one."
He finished the rest of his scotch in one large gulp. "That is quite an offer."
"I only buy the best, Hunter Hamilton."
His heart sank. There would be no way of getting out of spending the evening with her. "Wade here will also be on the auction block, as will Michael. I hope you brought your checkbook."
She grinned. "You better believe it, darlin'."
"Violet, oh good, you're here," Jill said, rushing toward them. "Do you mind going over a couple of last-minute items?"
Violet turned to Jill and smiled. "Absolutely. Lead the way." Before leaving, Violet leaned into Hunter and patted his arm. "I'll see you later, handsome."
Hunter could have kissed his sister for her perfectly timed arrival. He turned to the bartender. "Another scotch, and make it a double." He'd never been happier to see a beautiful woman disappear than he did at that moment.
"Wow," Wade said.
Hunter nodded, peering over the rim of his glass. "Yep, there are no words."
"I hope you have good insurance, because that woman is going to eat your alive."
"Don't I know it."
"Ah, I see your friend has arrived," Michael said, rejoining them.
"Do me a favor and keep her busy," Hunter said. "And if you can possibly get her to bid on anyone but me, I'll give you the Princeton house."
Michael laughed. "Sorry, no can do. That woman only has eyes for you."
Hunter cut a look to the vixen across the room. "Lucky me."