I Accidentally Got Auctioned for a Date… My Best Friend Bid $5,000 to Win Me
Chapter 1
Mia Bennett had agreed to attend the charity auction for exactly one reason: to support her best friend.
She had no intention of becoming the most expensive woman in the room.
The event was being held inside the ballroom of the historic Whitmore Hotel, a place where crystal chandeliers hung from ceilings high enough to make ordinary people feel poor. Men in tailored suits stood beside women wearing dresses that probably cost more than Mia’s car. Waiters moved through the crowd carrying champagne, while a string quartet played near the stage.
Mia felt completely out of place.
She adjusted the sleeve of her simple black dress and looked across the ballroom.
Her best friend, Noah Carter, was standing near the bar.
As usual, he looked perfectly comfortable.
Noah had been Mia’s best friend since college. They had survived terrible apartments, broken relationships, unpaid internships, embarrassing birthdays, and one disastrous road trip that neither of them was willing to discuss.
He was also the only person in the room who knew Mia didn’t belong there.
When Noah noticed her staring, he raised his glass.
Mia walked over.
“You promised me this would be casual.”
“It is casual.”
She looked around.
“There are three women wearing diamonds bigger than my thumb.”
Noah laughed.
“You’re exaggerating.”
“That woman over there has a necklace that probably has its own insurance policy.”
Noah smiled.
“You look beautiful.”
Mia immediately looked away.
“Don’t start.”
“Start what?”
“That.”
“What?”
“The charming thing.”
“I’m always charming.”
“You’re always annoying.”
“That’s why we’re friends.”
Mia smiled.
She had heard that line hundreds of times.
Friends.
That was what they were.
Best friends.
Nothing more.
At least, that’s what Mia had told herself for years.
The auction was organized to raise money for a children’s hospital. Local businesses had donated vacations, jewelry, cars, dinners, and experiences.
Mia was happy to be there.
Until the host announced the final item.
“Tonight’s most unusual auction,” the woman onstage said, smiling, “is a private dinner experience with one of our mystery guests.”
The audience laughed.
Mia didn’t pay attention.
She was checking her phone.
Then the host said:
“And our volunteer for this special item is…”
Mia looked up.
The host pointed directly at her.
“Mia Bennett!”
Mia froze.
“No.”
Noah nearly choked on his drink.
Mia stared at him.
“Did you know about this?”
“No.”
“You swear?”
“I swear.”
The host waved her toward the stage.
Everyone was clapping.
Mia shook her head.
“I’m not going up there.”
Noah leaned closer.
“Just go.”
“I will kill you if you laugh.”
“I won’t.”
“You are already laughing.”
“That’s unrelated.”
Mia reluctantly walked toward the stage.
The host handed her a microphone.
“Don’t worry. It’s completely harmless.”
Mia forced a smile.
“What exactly am I being auctioned for?”
“A date.”
The room erupted in laughter.
Mia stared at the host.
“A date?”
“A charity date.”
She looked at Noah.
He was trying very hard not to laugh.
Mia pointed at him.
“If I survive this, you’re dead.”
The bidding began.
“Five hundred dollars!”
Someone raised a paddle.
“One thousand!”
Another.
“Two thousand!”
Mia’s face became hotter with every bid.
Then a voice came from somewhere near the front.
“Five thousand.”
The room went silent.
Mia looked toward the bidder.
She recognized him immediately.
Noah.
Her best friend.
He was sitting there with one hand raised.
Mia stared at him in disbelief.
“Noah?”
He lowered the paddle.
The room erupted in applause.
The host smiled.
“Five thousand dollars! Going once…”
Mia couldn’t move.
“Going twice…”
Noah looked at her.
His expression had changed.
He wasn’t laughing anymore.
“Sold!”
The ballroom exploded with applause.
Mia walked off the stage and straight toward him.
“You just spent five thousand dollars on me.”
Noah stood.
“I know.”
“Why?”
He looked at her for a long moment.
“Because I wasn’t going to let some stranger buy a date with you.”
Mia’s heart skipped.
“Then why didn’t you just stop the auction?”
Noah smiled faintly.
“Because I thought you might finally realize something.”
“What?”
He leaned closer.
“That maybe I’ve wanted to take you on a date for a very long time.”
