Sophia’s P.O.V

I sat down beside Vee right at the front row, the lights dimming as the auctioneer’s voice echoed over the mic, all sharp and ceremonial. The buzz in the room died just enough for me to feel the shift- the way everyone was now watching the center stage like they’d been trained for this moment. Vee leaned in toward me, bumping my shoulder with hers lightly.

"Okay, tell me now, is lover boy coming or are we about to sit through this entire thing without a ...