Page 111 of Auctioned To Be Mine

“He’s not known for being given real responsibility either,” I said. “He made a lot of smart investments and has been playing the market these last few years. I think he’s looking for a different kind of challenge.”

Another pause. Longer this time.

“That might actually work,” Adrian said slowly, like the idea surprised him. “He knows the brand. He knows the family.”

“He knows how to talk to people,” I added. “You’ve seen him in a room. Put him in a store full of beautiful things and point him at wealthy customers and see what happens.”

My brother Beau laughed, overhearing the conversation. “He’d be insufferable about it.”

“Probably,” I agreed. “But he’d be good at it.”

I could see Adrian working through the logistics in his head.

“I’ll talk to him,” Adrian said finally.

Before I could respond, my father appeared. “You’re not trying to hire more of my children away from me, are you? I think there’s some confusion about our family business versus your family’s business.”

Adrian held up both hands. “Max, I want you to know this was entirely your son’s idea.”

“Which son? I have several and they’re all trouble.”

“Callum suggested Drew,” Beau offered helpfully.

Dad looked at me. I shrugged. “I don’t want to do it. I have enough on my plate and I don’t want to work all the time.”

“Drew,” he said, mulling it over. “You know what, that’s not the worst idea I’ve ever heard. The boy needs something to sink his teeth into.” He shook his head slowly. “Although I reserve the right to say I told you so.”

“Adrian, your wife is trying to get your attention,” Beau said.

“Excuse me,” Adrian said.

Beau drifted away as well, leaving me with Dad.

He put his hand on my shoulder and looked me straight in the eyes.

“I’m proud of you,” he said. “I want you to know that. Not for the store, though the store is extraordinary.” He glanced around the space briefly, taking it in. “For who you are. For how you did this. I know it was a lot, but I never doubted you could handle it.”

I nodded. “Thanks, Dad. It’s no movie production, but it was a hell of a circus.”

He clapped me on the arm and moved back into the crowd. My mother appeared at his side almost immediately. The two of them were like magnets. They always found each other. Even after all the years, they had defied the Hollywood odds and made it work.

I watched them for a moment and imagined myself at their age with Victoria.

I was pulled back into the chaos. The store was humming. Every corner of it was occupied, every display case drawing someone close. I could hear Cleo’s voice walking a woman through the details of a gown. Drew was near the entrance charming a group of women who had arrived together.

I moved through the crowd until I got to Victoria’s side. She had a glass of champagne she wasn’t really drinking and was watching the room. Bernadette had moved on. Victoria was alone for a moment in the middle of all of it, just taking it all in.

I came up beside her and kissed her cheek. “What do you think?”

“I think you’re going to need a bigger store or another location.”

I slipped my arm around her waist and she leaned into me. Her head came to rest against my shoulder. I pressed my lips to her hair. “Let’s go,” I said.

“Go? The doors just opened.”

“The store is open,” I said. “My work here is done.”

She thought about it and then laughed. “I suppose you’re right.”