Blaire looked at her in astonishment. “Her mother was just murdered. I don’t think most people could ‘pull it together’ after something like that.” This chick had some nerve.
Sabrina shrugged. “Well, it’s a charity event, and people bought tickets expecting to hear from her.”
“I’m actually filling in for her tonight.”
The woman regarded her carefully. “And who are you again?”
Blaire wanted to slap her. “I’m one of Kate’s oldest friends.”
“Really? I’ve never seen you at any of their parties.”
“I live in New York. I’m an author.”
Sabrina gave her a bored look. “Anything I would have heard of?”
“The Megan Mahooney series. It’s on TV too.”
Sabrina stared at her a long moment. “Oh yes, I have heard of that.” She shrugged. “I don’t really watch television. I find it a waste of time. And I read mostly literary fiction.”
She was some piece of work. Blaire arched an eyebrow. “I love literary fiction too. Who are some of your favorite authors?”
“Oh, you know, so many.”
Blaire wasn’t budging. “Like who?”
“Um, Virginia Woolf for one.”
“Really? What’s your favorite book by her? I personally love Mrs. Calloway,” Blaire said.
Sabrina nodded. “Yes, so do I. Well, if you’ll excuse me.” She walked away before Blaire could burst out laughing. What a little fraud. Mrs. “Calloway” indeed. Blaire would have to keep an eye on her.
She decided to find her table and go over her notes for her speech, but before she could move, Carter cornered her. Blaire took in the faded blue eyes, the puffy face, and the buttons straining at his middle. It was hard to believe she’d once wanted to marry him. Harder still to believe he’d been able to make her feel like she was somehow less than he was when he ended it.
“I was hoping we’d find a minute to catch up,” he said. “It’s been so long, but you look exactly the same.”
You sure don’t, she felt like replying. When he smiled, his eyes practically disappeared into his pudgy face. “How sweet of you to say. You and Selby have turned this house into quite a showcase.”
He smiled. “Thank you. It’s home.” He put a hand on her arm and continued, “I have to admit, I’m a bit awed. I loved your interview on Ellen. Who’d have thought one day you’d be in People magazine and doing interviews on television?”
I’d have thought, she wanted to say. Instead she simply said, “Thank you. It’s a job.”
“I’d say it’s more than a job. You’re like a superstar. My little Blaire, famous.”
His little Blaire? He wished. There was no comparison between him and Daniel, and she wanted him to see that. “My husband is the real superstar.” She pulled out her phone and found a picture of Daniel and her in Florence and showed it to Carter—the two of them on the Ponte Vecchio, Daniel with his thick black hair and killer blue eyes and Blaire smiling, tucked against his side.
“He looks like he could be in movies,” Carter said. “Both of you do.” The last part was clearly supposed to bring the conversation back to her, but she wasn’t letting him off that easily.
Blaire smiled. “And he’s as talented as he is good-looking. Looks like we both got what we deserved.” She wondered if he really loved Selby, or if his was a marriage of convenience.
“Do you have kids?” he asked.
Blaire forced a smile. “Not yet.”
From the corner of her eye, she saw Selby glaring at them. Giving Carter a warm smile, she leaned in and grabbed his hand. “I think it’s time for me to welcome everyone here. Shall we go?”
“Um, yes,” he answered, gripping her hand tighter in his and leading her to the front of the room, where they’d set up a platform and microphone.
“May I have your attention, please?”
The room began to quiet.
“I have the pleasure of introducing Blaire Barrington, international best-selling author and good friend.” His voice became somber. “As you know, Dr. English has had a death in the family and was unable to attend. Ms. Barrington has graciously agreed to speak tonight in her stead.”
Blaire thanked him and took the mic. “It’s an honor to be here tonight. Kate asked me to convey her deepest appreciation to all of you for your generous support.” Blaire went through the acknowledgments Kate had given her, and then finished her speech with some stories praising Kate and her work on behalf of sick children. Twenty minutes later, she took her seat next to Elise, an old Mayfield chum who sent all four of her daughters to the school now. She could still pull off her preppy look because of her charm and youthful appearance, Blaire thought, smiling at her.
“Enjoying yourself?” Blaire asked.
“Yes, it’s a lovely affair. So sad that Kate had to miss it. Are you planning to bid on anything?”
Picking up the brochure, Blaire looked it over. “Not sure yet. I’ll see what catches my eye after the auction starts. You?”
“Maybe the Alaskan cruise. Whit and I could use a little getaway.”
Soon the bidding began in earnest as trips, paintings, and other high-ticket items all went for double or triple their value. Finally, the biggest item came up—a golf trip to St. Andrews in Scotland. Blaire sat back and watched in amusement as Selby and an older gentleman went at it. When Selby upped the bid another $500, he looked ready to quit but raised his number one more time and shouted, “Sixteen thousand.”
Selby didn’t have the good grace to pause. Her hand flew up, and she yelled, “Seventeen!”
The man cocked an eyebrow and shook his head in resignation.
Now it was Blaire’s moment. She winked at Elise and raised her paddle. “Twenty thousand.”
There was a collective murmur of surprise, and then the room went quiet.
Selby’s lips disappeared into a thin line, and she threw her arm up again. “Twenty-one.”
Blaire could play this game all day. “Twenty-five.”
Selby shook her head and gave Blaire a murderous look. “Thirty!”
Blaire stood. Time to end this. “Fifty thousand dollars.”
A ripple of shock went through the room. Carter put his hand on Selby’s arm and whispered something to her. She yanked it away and placed her bid paddle back on the table.
The auctioneer looked back and forth between Selby and Blaire, cleared his throat, and then called out, “Fifty thousand going once . . . going twice . . . sold.”
Damn, that felt good. Blaire remembered back to those times in high school when they’d be back from spring break and tell each other about where they’d gone—Gstaad or Tokyo or St. Barts. Blaire’s father would have taken them to Florida or some other equally boring destination, while her friends were jet-setting all over the world.
Elise put a hand on Blaire’s arm and laughed. “You’re going to pay a lot more than fifty thousand for that little stunt.”
“I’m not worried,” Blaire told her. No matter what she did, Selby would take issue with her, so why not have a little fun?
“Does Daniel even play golf?”