Bought and Paid For

Excerpt From: Bought and Paid For

“Oh, my good Lord! Tell me you’re kidding.” Parker raised his eyebrows almost comically high over his piercing blue eyes. The creases in his forehead nearly crawled up into his hairline.

“Aw, come on, Dr. Easton, you said you’d help out.”

Parker leaned down from his six-four height and put his frown right in Dixie’s face.

“We both know I did not mean I would be part of…of…that! There is no way I’m going to walk out on a stage and let people ogle me like a…a…crap, you’ve got me lost for words. You know I meant I’d donate, not participate. I think the idea of an auction for dates with people is ridiculous.”

“It’s not. It’s been proven to be a good money maker. It’s for the last bit we need for the new wing, which, by the way, will have your office in it when it’s done. It makes sense for you to be part of it. Besides, you’ll bring top dollar. Everybody says so.”

“Everybody knows? Already? What the hell!”

“Hey, I didn’t put your name on the list.” Dixie, sweet southern Dixie from the PR department, was trying not to cower in the presence of his obvious anger.

“Who did? Who put my name on that list?”

“Maybe I shouldn’t say,” Dixie said.

“Tell me.”

Dixie’s explanation ran together so quickly, Parker had a hard time following the words. “Actually, the committee got a letter saying that you would go for over ten thousand if you would participate, and as a group, we decided it would be stupid to turn down that much money for the project.”

“You’re kidding. No, I’ve got to stop saying that. This is a nightmare. You actually got a letter saying someone would pay that much to go out with me? Hell, I never go out. I never have time. Who in the world would pay that much? Do they even know I’m…?” Parker paused.

“Gay? Uh, I believe so. I guess you want to see the letter, huh?”

“Oh, yeah. I want to see it. And this is not necessarily a done deal yet.” He put out his hand for the letter he figured she had in the overstuffed folder she clutched to her ample chest.

Parker usually didn’t go for the intimidation routine, but he was not going to get roped into taking part in this auction thing the PR department had come up with to get their much-needed funds. He was all for more money for cancer research. They definitely needed the new wing. He didn’t care where his office was located, but the new equipment would make a huge difference along with the added rooms and offices.

“Here it is, but it’s not going to tell you much. It’s not signed.”

“Then how do you know it’s legitimate?” Parker asked, disgusted and looking for any way out of this. He scrubbed one hand through the dark brown curls on his head. Hell, he hadn’t even had time to get a haircut in weeks, and the damn stuff grew like crazy. Personally, he hated it. His mind jumped back on track when Dixie answered.

“There was a follow-up phone call. A man called the office, asked if we’d received his letter, and assured us it was the real thing. He said we should make sure you know that he’s good for the money and that he promises to make the date one you’ll enjoy.” Dixie blushed as she related the last part of the message.

“This is ridiculous,” Parker stated, fuming.

“But you’ll do it, won’t you? You won’t let us lose that much money, just for one night, will you?” She was still trying not to cower, and Parker began to feel bad.

“When is this damn thing again?” he asked, resigned.

“Friday night.”

“This Friday night. You’re kidding.” He had to come up with a new word!

“No, sir. Haven’t you seen the signs all over the hospital?”

“I may have seen them. I just haven’t paid any attention to them, since I’d planned on making a donation only.” Parker stalked off in his best huff strut.