Page 80 of Billionaire Bad Boy Auction

I raised an eyebrow.

“I need something good to hold on to,” he admitted. “Something that isn’t a mess.”

My breath caught. I knew what he wasn’t saying, that I was that good thing. That in the middle of all his chaos, I’d become his calm. I didn’t need him to say it. I knew we both felt it. And somehow, he was becoming the good thing in my life.

He moved to the cooler and pulled out a meat and cheese tray. We sat on the bench, eating our snacks and drinking soda as the sun set. It was the most relaxing evening I had in a long, long time.

Dean smirked, leaning back against the railing. “Admit it, the auction was genius.”

I rolled my eyes. “It was ridiculous.”

“Ridiculously effective,” he corrected. “It got us here, didn’t it?”

I laughed. “Yes, I guess it did.”

“Is your dad excited about coming out of retirement?” he asked.

“He nearly cried when I told him my plans for the brokerage.”

Dean whistled low. “Actual tears?”

“Pretty damn close. He’s thrilled. He always envisioned us being a father-daughter team.”

“Do you think that everything falling apart was meant to happen so you could come back here—and be with me?”

“Is that what I am?” I asked softly. “With you?”

“I want you to be.”

No grand declarations. No flowery speeches. Just three simple words that meant everything.

He leaned over and kissed me. I knew this was it. This was the moment my life had been circling toward all along.