s fu

eam, far more than the bar mitzvahs and sweet sixteens that paid the bills. And the best

he had

world is he

g up with her usual step-step-step. "I had no idea he lived in Metro Manil

d and scribbled something on

d you just wri

g," she

d expression that I reserved f

sheepish. "I'm just trying to fig

d to the auction table and whirling back toward Kendra. "Wait,

hat be such a bad thing

s. And, of course, Joey was the most attractive of the bunch. He was dressed in a pair of midnight blue doctor's scrubs that appeared

r?" " she inquired, a d

r all, the hottest guy in the room was the

exier than a firefighter?" Take a look at those arms. Imagine him carrying you out of a burning building with

it easy ov

nice thing about charity events, aside from the fact that I felt good about my wo

bout spending mone

p to Bora or whatever, but I can think of worse things to spend a few hundred dollars on than dinner and, um,des

l-strength hose attachment." If you don't tone it down a no

rl has to have fun, right? "Hell, you

enough for me." I knew the words weren't entirely true as soon as I said them, but discussing my

me. "It's just for kicks. Even so, I w

the middle of my sentence, I looked over at the table and noticed Joey was

ha

e dinner starts, and Dr. McD

er at the table. "You'r

rk, that's

uzzled expression on her face. "Is

ime. But I didn't want to lie at the same time. "He was a classmate of m

r being cocky when yo

uests were arriving, and the serving staff was preparing to plate and serve the first cours

t the bar, and I caught a good look at him from behind. His scrubs were so tight that the fabric c

tes in the other. He locked his gaze on mine, a devious grin on his face indicating that he was up to somethi

ubs don't leave a lot to the imagin

n't in the mood for chit-chat. But he seemed to be thin

to his whiskey. "The last thing we need is for you to get

certain a

remark. "I believe that may he

" I cautioned. "I'm running

g to remain calm and professional, but I could tell Joey's presence,

explained, passing one glass to Kendra and th

ook the glass. "You have no idea how badly I'v

mile, the kind that caused little dimples to form in

Joey," he says. Not to mention you know exactly what prescripti

ce of a guy she thought was completely hot. I'd also known Joey long enough to know that charm and smi

cludes

face. "And, I apologize for being impolite, but wou

ht now, and talking to a man in a shrink-wrapped set

is. "I suppose they're a little snug around the pecs." I wa

said. "If you need me, I'll be assist

my hand as she walked

he twirled and made her way to the front doors. I sig

ce," Joey

ing to his chest. "She is sweet – sweet enough that I

d, his eyes flashing. "T

go is planet-size

now," he pleaded. "This is the first time we've seen each other i

arsh. "I'm just a little riled up right now," I

hy I wanted to speak with you about somethi

ugh I still wanted to dump the champagne over his

t is

uinely concerned. But it was only for a split second. Whatever he desire

el in sticky situations." I

he person I need to ge

ing I have to hear." I was trying har

wife has

, spotting her massive, blonde curls from afar. She wasn't on the

And, despite the fact

ed, snorting. "What i

In any case, they appear to be in the early stages of a

ing the side stage, preparing to perform. Looking at Joey again

y short, she wants

to be a prob

a me issue. But I n

can I

a bid

quealed, my

re how much money you need to s

n't you?" I can't s

s the

the scenes and not participating in the festivities. Do you have any

n if you did end up in a bidding war, so what? That means more money for Joven and Alma's charity. Plus,

ns, the most important of which was that I didn't wan

nd kissed my cheek. "Thank you in advance, G," he said, using the nickname he'd given

was that he'd put me in such a bind,

hooked like a