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"I skipped breakfast this ," she said by way of explanation He couldn’t help but laugh He found hi more on his plate than he usually would so she wouldn’t be eusto when he returned He had just taken his first bite when a couple approached the table Mia choked on her piece of chicken when the wo, hoonderful to see you"

She took a quick sip of tea to wash down her food before saying, "Mom, Dad, hat a surprise" Seth was equally surprised He hadn’t connected her last na a hand to Jefferson and his wife, Madeline "Jefferson, Madeline, how nice to see you again I didn’t know that Mia was your daughter"

Madeline dropped her perfectly"Yes, Mia is our only child How do you two know each other?"

Before he could answer, Mia spoke up "I’m here to do an install for Danvers"

"Oh, how nice Mia just loves that little project of hers"

"It’s called a job, Mo"

Herby the frown on her father’s face, it hadn’t escaped his attention Her , "I wanted to thank you again for donating the use of your ballrooht I think it’s wonderful that you have decided to participate as well I knoe are going to raise a lot of ht for the new children’s hospital"

Mia looked at Seth in surprise "You’re going to be auctioned off tonight?"

"U out ofdeal" Luckily, Mia’s parents spotted so sohter, they were off He couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief They ht run in the same social circles, but he had always found them a little too reserved for his taste

Beside him, Mia also seemed to expel a breath as well "Sorry about that My parents aren’t exactly the life of the party I’m sure you noticed that they don’t think much of ht nowthe rounds"

"I’ve known them for years How is it that we’ve never crossed paths?"

"On the occasions that I’ve been with the with friends They were never the type to bring out the baby pictures and brag about their only child either so it’s easy to see why most people other than very close friends don’t know I exist Soa bachelor auction I have to ad Have you done that before?"

Gri, he said, "No, this will be a first for ht?"

Mia chuckled "Oh, it could be bad all right You will probably be purchased by soh dinner and then try to bribe you into the sack at the end of the night"

"Oh, God, I hope you’re wrong I was picturing soood meal and some nice conversation"

"Good luck with that," Mia laughed "I know ht and there isn’t a wallflower in the bunch I s for once"

Seth raised a brow "You’re going to be there tonight?"

"Unfortunately, yes I have to put in an appearance at a few events just to keep my parents happy Since this is one of my mother’s favorite charities, she expects me to attend Madeline Gentry isn’t a woular basis"

He wasn’t sure how he felt about her being in attendance to watch hih her ass off if no one bid on hiht hi see than it had earlier He was al forward to it