Page 61 of Auctioned To Be Mine

“Thank you for thinking of me,” I said. “And I promise I’ll ask you all if I need anything.”

Mandy smiled. “That’s progress.”

I went back into the parlor before they could say anything else.

Victoria was on the sofa where I’d left her, but now she was talking to Adrian. She was listening with her full attention. She laughed at something he said. I assumed Adrian would be talking business, but apparently not.

I dropped back into my chair and watched her for a moment before she noticed me. I didn’t know what they were talking about and it didn’t matter. What mattered was how happy and comfortable she looked. Adrian could be an intimidating guy. He’d softened since the baby had been born, but he was still kind of a tough guy to warm up to.

That night, I walked her to her room. We were staying at Mimi’s tonight. Victoria looked tired but happy.

“Thank you,” she said. “For bringing me.”

“Thank you for being here,” I said. “Did you have a good time?”

“I did. I loved spending time with your family. Everyone just fits. Like puzzle pieces that were cut for each other. You’re very fortunate.”

“They drive me insane,” I said.

She laughed. “But you love every second of it.”

“That might be stretching it.” I grinned. “But I suppose they’re pretty great.”

“My family had dinner parties,” she said. “Lots of them. Beautiful tables, beautiful food, beautiful people.” She paused. “But it always felt like a rehearsal for something. All actors on a stage. The second the curtain dropped, it was over.”

I thought about my family. I couldn’t picture any version of my childhood that was quiet in the hollow way she was describing.

“Do you miss them?” I asked. “Your family.”

“I miss the idea of them,” she said. “But I never had it to miss it.”

“I get it. Goodnight, Victoria. I’ll see you in the morning.”

She closed the door and I went to my room debating going right back to her door and taking the kiss I wanted.

22

VICTORIA

It was strange to be in a busy house. It wasn’t loud, but I wasn’t alone. I’d been alone for a long time. Even when I lived in my parents’ mansion, I basically had a wing to myself. I rarely heard the staff and God knew my parents were rarely home and definitely never at the same time.

I showered and dressed in jeans and a blue top. I left my hair loose. Last night Callum said he wanted to do a little sightseeing today before we had to fly back. I was pretty sure that was for my benefit. He’d seen the city. Technically, I had as well but it had been a while and I never really did the whole tourist thing. It would be nice to see it with Callum at my side.

He was already downstairs, standing in Mimi’s kitchen with a coffee mug in his hand. He’d dressed casually. Dark jeans, a simple navy henley with the sleeves pushed up.

And I’d seen that man naked. Damn. I was a lucky, lucky girl.

“Morning,” he said. “Coffee’s ready.”

“Morning.” I poured myself a coffee and looked around the kitchen. It looked very new, as in it had been recently remodeled. It was gorgeous with tons of natural light.

“Everyone else is sleeping in,” he said.

“Smart people.”

“We could do the same.”

I looked at him. “Or we could go outside. You promised.”