Chapter 6

• Annabelle is sitting backstage in the chaotic aftermath of the auction, but her mind is still reeling from its events. The last hour and a half has been a blur. A successful blur in fact, but one that has come at a very high cost—primarily her dignity.
• At the last minute, one of their "date" auction participants had become ill. With no one else willing to partake and programs pre-printed with a set number of participants, she begged, bribed, and pleaded with every member of her staff to step in and fill the role. Of all the available people who were not physically needed for the facilitation of the auction, those left were either married or seriously attached to someone.
• Everyone that was, except for her.