Page 76 of Auctioned To Be Mine

“I appreciate the hustle,” Betty said, nodding. “Now go home. Sleep.”

Waved her comment away. “I’m fine.”

“There’s nothing to do today that can’t be put off,” she said. “It’s a slow day. The proposal was the only priority, and you nailed that. So, get some rest.”

“Are you sure?” I asked just a little too hopefully. But I wanted to be sure.

“Yes. And again, thank you for this. Sleep easy after a job well done, Vic.”

I got to my feet and it felt like all the oomph had left my body. I shouldn’t have sat down.

“See you tomorrow,” I said. “Unless I sleep right through it.”

She laughed. “If it happens, so be it.”

I walked out, got in my car, and turned up the radio. It was a short drive home, but I didn’t want to fall asleep.

I sent Callum a quick text. Good morning. Goodnight. Going home to sleep for a few hours.

I read his reply when I got home. Dream of me.

27

CALLUM

Isat outside the private airstrip and watched the Blackwell jet come in for landing. Ten minutes later, Dash and Krista were climbing into my car.

“How was the flight?” I asked.

“Good. Smooth.” Krista laughed in the back seat. “I’m still getting used to how your family lives.”

My cousin grinned at her and wagged his brows. “Don’t pretend you didn’t like taking advantage of that couch.”

“Dash!” Krista slapped his shoulder. The woman turned a very bright shade of red.

I shook my head. “A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”

Dash shrugged. “I won’t pretend I don’t love the mother of my child. And she’s glowing. The gentlemanly thing to do was show her how much I cherish her.”

The newlyweds were a little much, but things with Victoria had changed my perspective recently. I was starting to understand what it was like when you find the real thing. Victoria was like an addiction, and it was a struggle to focus on anything else.

I put the car in drive and headed for Beverly Hills. I wondered what Victoria would look like pregnant. Glowy? Happy? Her belly swollen with my child growing inside her. Holy shit. Where did that thought come from? We weren’t even official and I was daydreaming about knocking her up.

I parked in front of the Blackwell Couture store, proud to show my cousin what we’d accomplished. It looked good. I knew it was stunning. The storefront was everything the renderings had promised. The name on the door was in brushed gold lettering that matched the Blackwell Couture logo.

“Oh,” Krista said when she climbed out of the car. “It’s gorgeous.”

“Yeah,” I said. “It is.”

The door swung open before we reached it. Drew stood there with a big smile. He pointed at me. “You’re late.”

“You’re not my boss,” I said with a laugh. “And I told you I had to pick these guys up.”

Drew stepped forward, keeping his foot against the door to hold it open. “Krista, you look incredible. This guy giving you trouble?” He gestured at Dash.

“Constantly,” she said, and kissed Drew’s cheek.

We stepped inside. Standing in the middle of the store with Dash and Krista and seeing it through fresh eyes made me appreciate it all over again. It was everything it was supposed to be. It oozed luxury. The epitome of elegance. The very thing that made the Blackwell name so trusted.