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“Who said we need any of those improvements?” Emmett asked with a wave of his hand.
“Is it the original sign?” Marley asked.
I frowned. “I think so.”
Marley sobered. “I think it could use an upgrade. Little improvements can go a long way to increase the value of the farm.”
I couldn’t argue with that logic because she was right. The red barn was faded and didn’t look as good as it could. And it wouldn’t hurt to get a sturdier sign.
“I’ll look into the prices for both, and get back to you with a few other ideas,” Marley said to me.
“Fine.”
She smiled brightly, as if she’d won that round.
“I still don’t like—”
Marley held up her hand. “You don’t like the bachelorette auction. Your opinion is noted.”
She’d noted it and quickly dismissed my concerns.
Then a smile spread over her face. “Unless you have a reason why Hanna shouldn’t be auctioned off? She’s single and wants to start dating again. This is the perfect way to jumpstart her New Year’s resolution and has the added effect of ensuring she won’t be alone on the holidays.”
“She won’t be alone. She’ll be with me,” I said, realizing too late what I’d revealed to everyone in the room. I didn’t want her to date anyone else. If I wanted her, I’d need to make a move sooner than I thought.
CHAPTER 5
HANNA
She won’t be alone. She’ll be with me.
Sebastian’s words played in my mind on a loop. It sounded nice, but what did it mean? I wasn’t a part of Sebastian and Ember’s family. I was just a friend who was helping with childcare. I was an afterthought. Hanna was always reliable and there for everyone in her life. It was time for me to start thinking about what I wanted.
If I couldn’t have Sebastian, then I’d create my own family, starting with finding someone I could see myself with in the future. “I think it’s a great idea. I’d love to support the farm and possibly meet someone I could date.”
Marley and Ireland beamed at me, but if anything, Sebastian’s expression turned darker, and irritation flashed in his gaze.
“I’m the perfect candidate. I’m the only single female here,” I said.
Sebastian moved closer to me and lowered his voice. “What are you doing?”
His proximity increased my awareness of him. The firm grip of his hand on my lower back, the smell of spice, and the tickle of his breath on my ear.
“We could ask Holly if she’d be interested in being involved. I don’t think she’s seeing anyone,” Sarah said.
Talon’s head snapped up from where he was looking at the screen of his phone. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Marley threw her hands up in the air. “You guys are literally impossible.”
Heath drew her to his side and whispered something into her ear. She relaxed into him, and I wondered what that would be like, to have someone who had your back, no matter what.
“What are you doing?” Sebastian repeated in my ear.
“I’m trying to help the farm. You said you needed money, and it would also help me find someone. Do you want me on those dating apps?”
“I don’t want you dating at all,” Sebastian mumbled so softly I almost wasn’t sure I’d heard him correctly.
“Why is that?” I asked, my heart beating an erratic rhythm in my chest.
