Once again, the bidding quickly rose. Even Franco seemed to squirm a little less. Had he expected no one to bid for him?
“Franco Giardano is sold to number forty-seven!” Sandro announced the final bid.
Holy shit! Again, the amount staggered Tony. He leaned down to whisper in Carm’s ear. “I know who to come to in the future if I ever need to raise money fast.”
“I’m your girl!” She laughed, her eyes sparkling. She was clearly in her element. Of course, Carmella was comfortable wherever she was—mountains, beaches, black-tie affairs. The woman continued to amaze him.
But there was no way she’d ever give up working at her family’s resort. That thought put a damper on his mood, because Tony couldn’t give up living and working where he did, either, especially after all the work he’d put in to start the dive team.
Could the two of them ever work out the logistical problems of being together? Hell, they weren’t even dating on a regular basis yet, and here he was already thinking about who should uproot his or her life for the other.
Get a grip, man.
“Thank you, ma’am, for your generous bid,” Sandro said to the patron before turning to Franco, “and thank you, Franco, for your contribution to the cause.” Sandro focused on the audience again.
“We’re off to a great start, ladies, but we still have plenty more bachelors in the wings, including more smoking hot firefighters, so keep those wallets open and give generously.”
Matt, Rafe, Michael, and several other firefighters from the area were auctioned off next. Tony would be able to fund winter dives without the help of the dive shop with the amount of money being pledged.
Just before Tony, who had been kept for last for some reason, came Paul Janowski, a battalion chief from Breckenridge Mama had been seeing all year. Tony searched out Mama in the crowd. She’d been the one to invite Paul to join in tonight’s charity gala. Had she known what Carm had planned for the proceeds? Probably not. Knowing his mother, she’d have helped no matter which fire department would benefit.
Surprisingly, within minutes of the bidding starting, Janowski exceeded what those prior to him had brought in. Mama kept outbidding all takers. How could she keep up financially with these rich women? One enthusiastic bid from the back of the room floored Tony. Shit. Janowski had that silver-fox look going for him, apparently, and most of the women bidding were closer to his age than that of the other bachelors.
Each time another woman in the ballroom bid, Mama raised her own bid by as much as five hundred dollars. As much as Tony loved this cause—and this vigorous level of bidding meant more money for apparatus, equipment, and training—he didn’t want Mama to outspend her means.
He turned toward Carm. “I know Mama wants to help us out, but I need to talk to her before this gets even more out of hand. I think she’s too caught up in the moment.”
Carm grabbed onto his arm and held him back. She shook her head. “Let her do what she wants. She’s a grown woman. Besides, judging by Rafe’s expression, if anybody’s going to say something to her, it will be your oldest brother.”
Tony searched the room, and sure enough, Rafe glared at Janowski as if this was his fault, but Rafe made a beeline to Mama. The older man paid Rafe no mind. Janowski’s gaze and smile remained steadfastly on Mama, who increased her bid again just about when Rafe made it to her side.
With difficulty—and some annoyance—she tore her gaze away from the man on the stage when Rafe spoke to her. Mama brushed Rafe away as if afraid she’d miss a bid and focused on the stage again. She asked Sandro what the latest bid was and who had made it. Hearing she was the losing bidder again, Paul gave her a nod, and she raised it again by shouting an astronomical counterbid. What was she thinking? She didn’t have that kind of money to burn.
Shit, Mama. Had she and Janowski worked out a plan to cover any bid to ensure she would be his date tonight? Tony hoped so but hadn’t made a similar offer to Carm. The five hundred he’d promised wouldn’t touch the prices these bachelors had gone for. But he was tapped out with all his diving classes and equipment purchases lately. He started to worry about who he’d be dancing with later.
When Mama was declared the winner, she squealed. Paul came off the stage and walked right up to her. Ignoring Rafe completely, he lifted Mama into his arms and twirled her around before giving her a resounding kiss to a room full of cheers.
Tony wished he’d been able to show Carmella that kind of affection tonight. Maybe it was time for the two of them to stop hiding from their family members and let them know that the two of them were interested in seeing more of each other.
But Rafe looked fit to be tied.
“You’re up next, Tony!” Carm told him, breaking into his thoughts.
“Don’t fail me now, dolcezza,” he whispered for her ears only.
“I’ll do my best, but don’t expect any heroics like your mama’s.” She laughed as she took him by the arm and propelled him toward the stage.
He felt a sea of eyes on him, scrutinizing him. Maybe this was what had rattled Franco, although his brother was introverted, unlike Tony. Carm started the bidding at five hundred. He didn’t intend on competing with Janowski’s bid. Maybe Carm should have made him the final bachelor of the night rather than Tony.
When he heard the woman who’d been bidding against Mama double Carm’s latest bid, he started to worry. He hoped Carm wouldn’t bid more than she could afford.
After several more back-and-forth bids, two other women entered the
