Page 106 of Winning Bid

Anderson holds out his hands in a helpless gesture. “I'll consider it payment toward my therapist.”

Elliott smiles, shaking his head. He looks so much like Anderson when he does that. It wouldn't bother me as much if I didn't hate the guy. “Whatever you like, son.”

When we're outside at the valet, Kitty says, “We absolutely must host a reception for you. I'll take care of all the details. You don't have to do anything but show up. That'll give our friends and family a chance to celebrate the two of you. Please, you must say yes.”

How can I possibly say no to that? And I try to figure out exactly how to say no for as long as I can hold out before decorum says I have to answer. I come up with nothing. “That sounds wonderful, Kitty. Thank you.”

“Wonderful.” She pulls me into a hug. “June, you are absolutely welcome in our family. I am so glad to have you.”

It's odd, but I get choked up at the thought. The truth is, with my messed up family, it's sort of nice to join a family that's big and welcoming and warm. Elliot aside, of course. Even though his parents only have two sons, the rest of the family is big and they're quite social with one another. I've always wanted that and never thought I’d have it.

Now I do.

Their car comes first, and we say our goodbyes. Once in our car, I sort of expect conversation to erupt, but there's not a lot left to say. Or maybe today has been so emotional that we're both exhausted. But my nerves are having a go at me.

I don't mention it until we're inside of our apartment. “Should I have pushed back when your mom offered the reception?”

Anderson pops a bottle of champagne, pouring two glasses. “Why would you do that?”

“I thought we weren't doing a reception or a big wedding party or whatever. When she brought it up, I thought you might say something. When you didn't, I felt like I was sort of forced into saying yes.”

He delivers the glass of champagne and I down it fast. “I didn't say anything because I wanted this to be your choice.”

“Like I could tell your mom no after stealing her son away to marry him?”

“So Mom is going to get her way on everything from here on out?”

“Well, no, but I'm thinking that she gets some leeway today.”

He lifts a shoulder in a casual shrug. “That seems fair. You did steal her son, after all.”

I smack his chest. “I'm being serious. Your family, your family's friends, everybody's gonna be at this thing. I won't have anyone. It's kind of intimidating.”

He pulls me close. “You'll have me.”

“You know what I mean.”

“So invite some people. You have parents. You have friends. I'm sure Mom would love to get to know all of them.”

“Oh, my hell.” I slipped past him and grabbed the bottle to chug from.

“What is it?”

“The thought of my friends and family meeting your friends and family feels like two worlds colliding that were never supposed to.”

He smiles, then turns me and wraps me in his arms from behind. His heat flows through me. “We're married. Of course, they were going to meet. It was just a matter of time.”

“I know, I know.”

“Better sooner rather than later. You know, rip the old Band-Aid off.”

“Gee, you make it sound romantic.”

He laughs and moves my hair over my shoulder to kiss my bare neck. It sends a shiver down my spine. “There is no mountain we cannot climb together, Mrs. West.”

“Yeah, about that,” I start, turning to face him. “I’m not sure I want to change my name.”

“We talked about it before. I remember.” His hands slide to my ass for a less-than-sneaky grab. “But I like calling you Mrs. West. Even if you don’t change it, allow me that.”

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