Shortly thereafter, Noah and Ryan took the stage. In seconds, the bidding reached our $100 maximum.

Shit.

The room went silent.

“Going once,” warned the emcee. “Going twice...”

I looked at Tim. Tim looked at me. For once, we agreed. No words were needed.

And then Tim threw his head back and let forth a battle cry from the back of the room: “110!”

The crowd of starry-eyed girls turned in unison, peering through the darkness for the deep-voiced woman who had shattered the moment.

Noah shifted uncomfortably.

Ryan nudged him and whispered, “There’s a guy bidding on us! There’s a guy bidding on us!”

From the other side of the crowd, Tim and I heard a girl call “120!”

“130!” screamed Tim.

“140!” the competition countered.

“145!”

“147!”

“148!”