Page 109 of Auctioned To Be Mine

“We should check on the cleanup. Make sure everything is okay.”

“Victoria, the crew has it. The New York cousins will follow up. It’s their baby. I just helped with the birthing process.”

“Last night was really good,” I said. Obviously, he knew it was, but I felt like it deserved more attention.”

“Last night was incredible.”

“Tiana is going to be able to do real work with the money you guys raised.”

“She already has a space in mind to set up some offices,” he said. “She told me last week. She’s been waiting on the funding to make the call.”

“That’s awesome,” I said. “Thank you for letting me be a part of it.”

He turned his head to look at me. “You were the part that made it work.”

“It was a team effort.”

“Victoria, take a compliment for once.”

I laughed and looked back up at the sky. “Fine. You’re welcome.”

He pulled me against him and kissed me. We stayed in the pool until my fingers pruned up. I knew the parts of me that weren’t used to sun exposure were getting burned. When I finally hauled myself out and reached for his shirt on the lounge chair, I felt completely relaxed.

Callum pulled himself out behind me, water streaming off him, completely unbothered by anything. He ran a hand through his hair and looked over at me.

He picked up his sweats and pulled them on. “I’m thinking sandwiches. Maybe a movie.”

“A movie,” I repeated. “It’s the middle of the day. Who lives like this?”

“People who have the day off. It’s all about relaxing.”

I pulled his shirt back on and followed him inside, trailing water on the floor and not caring even a little bit.

Today was ours. The real world would find us soon enough. I could get used to this.

39

CALLUM

Istood at the front of the store, watching through the glass doors as the line of people stretched down the block. The energy was electric even from inside. Women in designer outfits with their phones out to document every minute of it. We had the press posted out front as well. I was surprised by how many men were in line.

This was it—the day we’d been building toward for months. What started as an idea and then a dream was finally becoming reality.

Victoria stood beside me and took my hand. “Look at them,” she whispered. “They’re practically vibrating.”

“They should be,” I said, squeezing her fingers. “This is going to be something special.”

My family had gathered in a cluster behind us. Cleo kept smoothing her dress, her nervous energy practically visible. She had several appointments lined up for the day. Brides that wanted a Blackwell original. She was already talking about opening up a separate store just for our wedding business. I told her I was on board as long as she handled all the construction and design, which she seemed excited about.

“Thirty seconds,” Adrian called out, checking his watch.

I felt a surge of pride mixed with something close to panic. We’d done everything right. Every detail had been planned and executed perfectly. But standing here, about to open the doors to the public for the first time, I couldn’t help but wonder if it would all be enough.

Victoria leaned close. “You ready?”

I looked down at her and into those eyes that made me feel like I could do anything. “With you here, hell yes.”

Adrian called out the final countdown, and at precisely ten o’clock, he turned the key in the lock and swung the doors open. He had asked me if I wanted to do it, but I thought it made more sense for the CEO to do it.