“Oh.”
That was sweet.
“He says he can try to fix the handle if you’re comfortable.”
“I’m comfortable with anything that gets me out of this stall.”
“I had a feeling,” the woman said. “Let me grab him.”
A few moments later, Kay heard quick footsteps across the tile floor. “Sweetheart? Which stall are you in?”
Her pulse jumped at the endearment—too soon and yet she liked the way it made her feel. As though she were special to him. “I’m here,” she said, knocking on the door.
“Okay, I’m going to try . . .” And he spent a few minutes repeating the process Kay had tried by herself and also with her female helper, without success. “Damn,” he muttered. “You’re really stuck. Let me see if there’s any progress on the maintenance guy. You okay in there for a few more minutes?”
It wasn’t like she had a choice, but Kay bit back an annoyed reply. Garret was trying to help, and getting snappy wouldn’t help.
The Austen would be there when she got out, or it wouldn’t.
That was just the way it was going to be.
Garret came back into the bathroom, relaying he’d been told it would only be a few more minutes before they came, but when a solid fifteen minutes passed, he ordered her to stand back.
And with a grunt and hard shove of his shoulder, he broke the lock, slamming the door into the stall. It crashed against the wall with surprising force, and the half of her that was impressed with his strength was really glad she’d been standing well out of the way.
The other half of her launched herself over the splinters of wood and into his arms.
“Thank you!” she exclaimed, squeezing him tightly. “Thank you so much.” She stepped out of his arms, turned to the petite blonde standing in the doorway. “And thank you for not leaving me. I was really worried there for a minute.”
“I’m Claire,” the woman said. “And I glad you were rescued.”
“Kay.” She laughed. “But I guess you knew that already. Thank you again.”
Claire left as Kay spun back to face Garret. “I’ve got to see if I can get back for the table auction. My Austen—”
Her gut clenched.
Because his expression said it all.
“It’s gone?”
He nodded. “I’m sorry. I heard the bids close on it when I went to find the maintenance guy.”
“Oh.” She sucked in a breath and pushed down her disappointment. It was only a book. There would be others. “Did it go for a lot?”
“Over two thousand.”
Kay’s eyes widened. “Really? Well, at least they got their money’s worth.”
“Yeah.” He took her hand. “Do you want to go back to the party?”
“Not really.”
“Okay.” Garret tucked her palm into the crook of his arm. “I’ll walk you to your car.”
“I took an Uber.”
His lips twitched. “I’m grasping at straws here. So, should I call you an Uber or do you want a ride home?”