Page 96 of Auctioned To Be Mine

Tiana smiled and shrugged. “I think this might be the first time in his life there’s someone he’s afraid of losing.”

I didn’t have a response to that.

“What he did was clumsy and it cost you something real and he needs to understand that. But I want you to think about what it means that a man who has never been afraid of losing anyone—was afraid of losing you.”

“That doesn’t fix the problem,” I said gloomily.

Tiana nodded. “No, it doesn’t. Can I give you my honest opinion?”

“Please.”

“I can’t make choices for you two,” Tiana said. “That’s not my place and I wouldn’t even if it were. What I can tell you is that my son is happier when you’re around. Genuinely happy.” She paused. “And he’s sad now that you’re not.”

I looked at my hands. “I miss him too. But he really messed up.”

“He’s called out sick the last few days,” she continued. “Callum has never called out sick in his life. He once ran a fever of a hundred and three and still sat in on a conference call.” She tilted her head slightly. “Dash and Krista have taken over the final prep, which is fine. They’re more than capable. But it isn’t like him. At all.”

“I told him we should talk after the show,” I said. “I told him we should put things on hold until everything settles. I need to be able to think clearly and there’s too much going on for us both.”

She laughed softly. “That’s wise,” she said. “He’s been burning the candle at both ends for months. The store, the show, you, his regular work on top of all of it. He’s not showing up as his best self and you deserve his best self.” She looked at me directly. “I like your idea. Get through the show. Then both of you will get a chance to breathe. And then, if you still want to talk, talk to him when neither of you are running on fumes and stress and whatever else has been piling up.”

“Thank you,” I said quietly. “For talking to me. For being kind.”

“Sometimes, that’s all someone needs.” She stood, smoothing her blouse, and looked down at me with a smile that looked friendly, but also a little terrifying. “I’m rooting for you two. Unless you break my baby’s heart. Then I won’t be so kind. I’m sure you understand.”

I laughed, but I most definitely believed her. “Noted.”

“Take a minute to enjoy the sunshine, Victoria. Breathe deeply. Ground yourself in the moment. You’ll find the clarity of mind you’re looking for.”

I watched her walk back toward the store. The sun was warm on my face. It did feel good. Also, she didn’t hate me. That was something. I wasn’t used to a kind and rational mother.

After I found some semblance of calmness, I stood up, went back inside, and threw myself into the auction setup. Work was good. Simple. Well, not simple but less complicated than love.

Dash approached and moved to stand beside me. “It looks good,” he said, hands in his pockets, surveying the space with the practiced eye of someone who had done this a lot.

“It does. You guys do good work.”

“You doing okay?” he asked.

I glanced at him. He was watching me with a hint of sadness. “I’m fine,” I said. “Working.”

He nodded slowly. “Good strategy.”

“Strategy?”

“You’re staying busy. And he’s choosing to wallow. I like your strategy better but I think you’re both inviting misery.”

“I’ve already talked to Tiana.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, I guess you’ve figured out we’re all worried.”

“Worried?”

“About him. You. You guys are really good together.”

“Unless we’re not.”

“No relationship is perfect,” he said. “Trust me, Krista and I had our moments. We still have occasional moments now and then, but when you have that special something, it’s worth a few speedbumps.”