Page 40 of Sold on Them

“I will. I promise.” She sniffles, wiping away the tears that have begun to fall down her face. “Why is this so hard? I’m already tired of crying.”

I cup her face in my hands, staring into her gray eyes. “I love you, Mackenzie Stewart, and I’m never letting you go again. This goodbye won’t last more than a day or two. And I’m going to be blowing up your texts.”

She smiles, nodding before she leans up on her toes. Leaning down to meet her, the kiss we share is sweet. I don’t trust myself to deepen the kiss—afraid I might not be able to let her go.

I don’twantto let her go.

I already walked away from Parker, which was hard enough. Knowing I have to walk away from Mackenzie too is killing me.

I just found them. I can’t lose them all over again. I don’t think I could survive losing them a second time.

“Hey.” Mackenzie grabs my hand. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”

Shaking my head, I force a smile. “Nothing.”

“Don’t you dare lie to me, Damon.” She pokes me in the chest.

Damn it.

After ten years apart, I didn’t think she’d still be able to tell when I’m lying. I should’ve known better.

“I just can’t lose you and Parker after finding you again. It was hell walking away from him, and now I have to walk away from you. I don’t want to.”

Her smile is soft. “It’s not like you’re walking away forever. Just for a few days at most. And we can talk on the phone or text or even video call. We don’t livethatfar apart.”

“Logically, I know that… It’s just…” I shake my head, not able to put into words what I’m feeling.

“You didn’t think you were walking away forever last time, and you’re afraid this will be like that?” she asks.

I nod. “Yes. That. Fuck, Mac. How has it been ten years and you can still read me like your favorite book?”

She shrugs. “I’m just that good. Now, as much as I hate to say it, we probably shouldn’t make them wait any longer for us “

I glance at our drivers, who are standing beside the town cars patiently and nod before pulling her in for a hug. Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, I sigh. “I love you, Mackenzie. That’s never changed and never will.”

“I love you, too, Damon.” Her voice is heavy with the tears filling her eyes as she steps back. “I’ll let you know as soon as I get home.”

“You better.” I take her hand, leading us over to the cars. I help her inside, watching as her tears spill over. “I’ll talk to you soon.”

I step back and Leonard closes the door between us. I give him a tight smile and a nod before heading to the other car.

“Ready to go?” Todd asks, and I shrug in response as I climb inside. His smile is sympathetic as he closes the door—something I’m going to choose to ignore.

“Would you like me to play some music?” he asks as he climbs inside.

“Sure. You pick.”

I know I’m being short with him, and he’s done nothing to deserve that. I just can’t seem to help myself.

Music flows through the car as he pulls away. I watch Mackenzie’s car for as long as I can, but we’re heading in separate directions.

Once I can no longer see her car, I watch as the city passes me by—not really seeing anything as I recall the weekend.

It couldn’t have been more perfect. I didn’t really know what I was getting myself into when I signed up to be in the auction, but this wasn’t on my radar at all.

Going into this, all I cared about was getting paid. Half a million dollars will make things much easier for me. I won’t have to work as much. I’ll be able to pay ahead for Mom’s stay at the facility. I can finally move out of the shitty apartment I live in.

But none of that is on my mind now. All I can think about is finding my way back to Mackenzie, Parker, Royce, and Cormac. To the family I never thought I’d have again. I’d give up the money if it meant the five of us could be together.

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