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Naomi paused to look more closely at the man who practically oozed appeal. “And why would my friend tricking me into a speed dating auction be perfect?” The snap in her voice echoed in the shadows.
He stuck his hand out. “I’m Kieran.”
“Serial speed dater?” She resisted the urge to stick out her tongue, keeping her arms crossed.
He nodded with a chuckle. “I can understand why you’d think that, but no.”
The same assistant that had been trailing the woman in charge approached with a broad grin. “Oh perfect! You’re ready!” She bustled up, looking around before checking her clipboard. “And where is the male wild card? A Max Devlin?”
“Here!” Max came jogging forward, his mischievous grin on full display. “Dang Mimi, you look nice!”
Kieran turned back to her. “Mimi? Your name is Mimi?”
She groaned. “No. Only Max calls me that and I can’t get him to stop.”
Max stepped up beside her, hand out. “That’s me. Max. And you are? If you’re one of the daters and are interested in spending time with my lovely friend then you should probably stop wasting your time up here and get down to sign up like all the other hopeful lackeys down there.
“Are you done posturing?” Kieran’s hands were in his pockets and he looked like he was ready to take a casual disinterested stroll on her heart.
“Mr. Holbrook. It’s time.”
Kieran nodded at the assistant then towards Max. “We’ll introduce you first, Devlin. Your friend is garnering more interest than you, so we will need to allow the men more time to vie for her attention.”
“I didn’t even want to be here.” Naomi stepped up. “Why are we giving me extra time? I’d rather be home on my couch doing anything other than pasting a smile on my face.”
“Aw don’t be a spoilsport, Mimi. It’ll be fun.” Max nudged her in the side.
She shot him a look. “Max. This is turning out just like the skittles.”
“Skittles?” Kieran asked.
Naomi smiled and shook her head. “Just another one of Max’s crazy ‘fun’ ideas.”
“Mr Holbrook.” The assistant broke through their whispered conversation.
“Yes, yes. Mr Devlin. This way.” As Kieran led Max toward the stage he looked back at her. “Don’t go anywhere.”
“Like I have a choice.”
Naomi watched as Kieran introduced Max to the women waiting for the event to start. He asked him a few questions and gave him a chance to make himself look good.
“He’s good.” The assistant piped up.
“Max is always good at convincing people to like him.” Naomi muttered as she watched.
“I was talking about Mr Holbrook. Isn’t he dreamy?” The girl sighed.
Naomi’s reply froze in her mouth. In what felt like only seconds Naomi found herself being nudged onto stage and walking toward Kieran’s smile.
“Welcome to the stage, the lovely Naomi Watts.” Kieran raised his hand out to her. “Let’s take a moment to get to know our other wild card of the evening. Miss Watts, I am sure the first question on everyone’s mind is…” He paused for dramatic effect. “What is your favorite color?“ For just a second he turned to fully face her so that the audience couldn’t see him wink at her.
She batted her eyes at the group of men now watching her closely. “Oh pink, totally. It’s the color of love, right?” She forced out a sort of breathy giggle.
Kieran nearly stumbled over his next words as his head whipped back around to look at her. It took him a second but he recovered admirably. “Indeed it is. And what do you look for in a man? For a date?”
“Oh good question.” Naomi bubbled. “Definitely got to be a hottie.” She threw a huge wink at the crowd. “Also it wouldn’t hurt if he was successful and made my insides turn to mush just by looking at me in that gorgeous smoldering way that only real men know how.” Playfully tapping his arm she gave a sigh, furiously batting her eyes at him.
“And do you think that you’ll be able to find him here tonight?” His eyes were pinned on her with a searing intensity even though his smile was still directed at his enthusiastic audience.
“Hope so.” Blowing a kiss out at the group of men, she bounced her way back off stage to face a bent-over-double-in-laughter best friend.
“That was amazing!” Max couldn’t stop laughing. “I didn’t know you had that in you. You are going to have dates for the next year of your life!”
Naomi shoved him hard. “You’re an idiot.”
Looking back on stage she found Kieran still glancing towards her as he explained how the night was going to go.
Max and the assistant left to go find his sign up sheet and get him set up in his little private booth off to the side. She presumably had one on the other side of the room that she would be shown to shortly. She sighed.
“That was quite the show.” Kieran stepped up next to her.
She folded her arms and faced him. “Show?”
His slow drawling smile heated her core, making her flush. “Let me guess, your favorite flowers are red roses and if there was a beach nearby, walking along it in the moonlight would be the perfect date.”
Naomi stepped close to him, as close as she could manage without touching him. “Now Mr Holbrook, why would I think that? It sounds so…cliche.” She batted her eyes. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have an audience to entertain.”
“Are you going to be honest with any of them?”
She shot him a look. “If I were looking for the love of my life at a speed dating arena then yes I would. If I was looking for a date, there’s no need to bother. All those men signed up to talk to me because of my picture. They aren’t interested in what I say, so it doesn’t matter what I say.”
“Miss Watts.” Kieran’s sharp tone stalled her dramatic exit.
“Yes, Mr Holbrook?” She was back to using her over-the-top flirty voice.
He folded his arms, causing him to look even more fierce. “I’d listen.”
Her smile softened. “Of course you would. And might I point out that you are also not out there signing up to talk to a woman based on her picture. Thus proving my point.” She shrugged. “I’m not going to go out and give any part of my real self to that bunch out there just so Max can enjoy his night getting girl’s numbers.”
“Admirable.” Kieran nodded.
Seconds later the assistant bustled up and was eagerly going on and on about how everyone had liked her.
“Naomi.”
She was startled at hearing her name. She glanced back and saw him open his mouth but before he could she cut him off. “It’s green.” With a smile, Naomi turned away as he started laughing.
Check back next week to read more about Naomi!
