Excerpt of The Champagne Crush by Caroline O'Connell

“Now it’s time to end the suspense and find out how much these rare bottles are worth,” Doug said. “Please welcome our celebrity auctioneer, Trevor Jones.” Trevor walked onstage to loud applause. Doug piped in, “You’re clapping now, but if you don’t bid generously, you could be on the receiving end of his jokes.” That drew guffaws. The crowd was getting rowdy after a few glasses of good champagne, just the thing to bid up the prices.

            Trevor took the microphone. “Good evening, folks.” He went into a short monologue recapping the day’s events and cracking jokes at the expense of high-profile guests. He closed with, “Let’s take the plunge. We have many exceptional bottles to auction off to reach our goal. Please open your wallets and bid with abandon.”

            There were other things Chris wanted to pursue with abandon, starting with Catherine’s bare back. Her slinky dress was killing him. Unaware of his train of thought, she was in an animated conversation with Will.

            The bidding became heated, and Chris directed his attention to the stage. As each lot was auctioned off, Chris and Ken jotted down notes in the margins of their programs and bantered back and forth about the prices they were fetching. Unlike the blind tasting, this process was highly visible. Chris assumed some buyers were making winning bids for the prestige and bragging rights, as much as for the unique bottles and contribution to the cause. In this case, glitz overrode substance. He said as much to Ken—not grasping he was about to fall into the same quest to be victorious.

            Pleased with the competitive bidding, Trevor congratulated the crowd on their good taste. The lots were fetching higher prices than anticipated. After forty-five minutes, one final bottle remained. “Well folks, you’ve risen to the occasion. The California Sparkling Wine Producers thank you,” Trevor said. “And now we have a special surprise for our last bottle.” The crowd drew quiet. “The high bidder on this rare Trianon 1952 vintage jeroboam will also receive a two-night stay at romantic Les Crayères in Champagne and a gourmet dinner for two in their Michelin-starred restaurant, along with a private tour of the kitchen and toast with the chef.”

            When Catherine stood up, Chris figured she was going to the ladies’ room, so he was taken off balance by Trevor’s next words. “Catherine Reynolds, representing Trianon, has agreed to join the winning bidder in a toast and to lead off the first dance of the evening.” He beckoned her to the stage.

            Did I say I wanted a woman full of surprises? Uh-oh. He’d be damned if anyone else was getting this prize. He was feeling awfully possessive at the moment.

            They were off and running. A number of attractive men participated in the early bidding, including Chris, Patrick Tournelle, Will Frost, and even Sean Dunlavy. Catherine became the envy of many women in the ballroom. When the dollar figure exceeded $4,000, the bidding contest narrowed to only two: Chris and Will. Trevor chided the combatants. “Looks like we have a horse race, ladies and gentlemen. Miss Reynolds, would you care to weigh in on the contest?”

            All she murmured was, “I’m glad they’re supportive of the cause,” which prompted twitters.

            When Chris made it clear he planned to bid whatever it took, his friend Will bowed out. Finally. Do I have to broadcast my interest any louder?

            “Fair warning,” Trevor announced, indicating the bidding was about to stop, and the gavel came down. “Sold to Chris McDermott for $5,000.”

            Amid applause, Chris walked onto the stage, shook hands with Trevor, and enfolded Catherine in a warm embrace that sent cameras flashing. Doug Barr joined the trio to pose for photos. A waiter materialized with four glasses of champagne that they sipped while the stage was being cleared.

            The band took their places. Vanessa stepped up to the microphone and started performing her signature version of “Knocks Me Off My Feet.”

            “I believe this dance is mine,” Chris whispered in Catherine’s ear, before he whisked her onto the dance floor.

            “You sure know how to make a splash,” Catherine said. “Hope this doesn’t appear like we’re fraternizing.”

            “All for the cause,” Chris murmured, holding her possessively close. She felt so good in his arms while they moved in time to the music. Vanessa sang the refrain, and he caught the message of the song—a love so strong it made you weak.

            Other couples joined them on the dance floor, and Chris steered Catherine to a less conspicuous spot in an alcove behind one of the pillars. “About that bare back,” he murmured and pulled her closer in his embrace.

Excerpt from The Champagne Crush by Caroline O’Connell,

courtesy of SparkPress, an imprint of The Stable Book Group.