Page 64 of Craving Paradise

Ines’ eyes narrow, and I can tell she is shooting imaginary daggers in my direction.

“Did you know Mum’s selling us to the highest bidder tonight?” I blurt out over this conversation as it is.

Jasper chokes on his red wine. “She’s doing what?”

“This is a private conversation,” I turn and tell him.

Ines’ eyes widen at my tone toward Jasper.

“Seeing as you butted into our private conversation first, you’re making this conversation now mine,” Jasper bites back.

“What are you talking about?” Ines asks me.

“Mum said she’s having a model auction, and we are all being auctioned off to help raise money for the foundation.”

“That sounds like a stupid idea,” Ines responds.

See, I’m not the only one who thinks this is a bad idea.

“It is, but she won’t listen. Mum said everyone agreed in the family chat, but I’m not in a family chat.”

“Neither am I.”

“Did they forget about us?” I ask.

“They usually do,” Ines quips.

“You’re not doing it, are you?” Jasper interjects again.

“This is none of your business,” I say to him.

“Lauren, you’re being rude.”

I don’t have time for this.

“Mum wants us to go backstage now. I don’t have time to argue about the semantics of what’s clearly happening either way.”

“Fine. Excuse me, Jasper, my incredibly crazy family needs me. Are you going to bid on this craziness?” she asks him.

“He’s not allowed to bid,” I say, the words tumbling out of my mouth before my brain recognizes what I’ve said.

Jasper raises a brow, and Ines stares at me, aghast at my perceived rudeness.

“Why am I not allowed to bid?” Jasper asks, turning his attention to me.

There’s no reasonable excuse for him not to.

“It’s for a good cause,” he answers, his eyes falling on me.

“Weirdly, it is for a good cause. The more money we can raise, the more women we can save,” my sister adds.

“Sure, do whatever you want,” I say, exhausted by this conversation. “Come on, we have to go.” I drag my sister away from the table.

“What has gotten into you tonight? You were incredibly rude to Jasper just then”.

“I’m sure he’ll get over it.”

“Lauren,” my sister exclaims.