Page 31 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 1

“Did she agree to give you a heads up?” he scoffed.

“Not exactly.” I groaned. “I still have faith that she might.”

“I wouldn’t hold my breath. She’s a strict businesswoman and fairness for all is part of what makes her so reputable. I would discourage you from pushing her in any way. She doesn’t need you in the bidding. She has plenty of people. So many that I understand she turns bidders away and has a waiting list a mile long. I’m crossing my fingers for you, Jack.”

“Thank you. I appreciate you taking the time to chat when I know you’re in a rush to get Savannah off to the islands. But I have another request.”

“Oh? Go ahead and shoot,” he stated gruffly.

“Shoot? You’ve been hanging around Sutton Goodall for too long,” I teased.

“That is the truth. I pick up so many of their colloquialisms. Americans have the best slang,” he agreed.

“Be that as it may, I wanted to see about taking some time off. If I pick a bride tonight, I’m going to want to spend uninterrupted time with her. I’ve already put our Chief Operating Officer in charge this week, but if all goes well tonight, I may not want to come back to the office for the next monthuntil the wedding. I’ll be available online, of course, but it’s important to me to meet my bride’s family and see how she lives her life wherever that may be.”

“I forgot about the wedding ceremony terms. You have a month, if memory serves. Then again, you could do what Sutton did and marry her in Las Vegas,” he suggested.

The idea of getting married in Las Vegas didn’t appeal to me. Especially after having been the best man at Erik’s wedding this past week. It had been a small but beautiful affair and had felt like a coming together of families. If I wanted to create a true bond and work toward a future longer than three years with whomever I picked, it should probably start with a solid connection of our friends and family. Something a wedding ceremony would do naturally.

“Hmm… Something to think about,” I responded.

“Look, Jack, you know what the company needs almost better than I do. If you say Markus Pedersen can handle running the ship for the next couple of weeks, take as much time as you need. As I said, I’ll be back in the office after our honeymoon.”

“Technically, he’s been running everything for the past week with no issues. Thank you, Erik. I appreciate your support.”

“You always have it, brother. I’m looking forward to meeting whomever you choose. Savannah is beside herself with the idea of getting a new sister-in-law.”

“Just keep it quiet. I don’t want Henrik and Irene to find out or I’ll have them breathing down my neck. They want both of us married off and having babies right away. Your parents are incredible, but they are tired of not having grandchildren.” I chuckled.

“Don’t I know it. I swear Mother talks about when she’ll be a grandmother so often you’d think we were already pregnant. I keep telling her we want time together as husband and wife before we bring little ones into our lives.”

I envisioned myself with a child on my lap and my chest tightened. I’d have loved nothing more than to get married and have a child right away. A living, breathing human being who was guaranteed to love me unconditionally? It was more than I could dream of.

One day.

I kept telling myself it would happen someday in the future, when the time was right and when the woman for me came along. Who knew? Maybe I’d meet her tonight.

“Stick to your plan. You and Savannah deserve some time together. Especially after everything you’ve both suffered the past few months.”

“Both Savannah and I are fine. I’m not going back into the depths of depression like during those years after the accident, so you can stop worrying. I’ve got so much to live for now. The future is positively glowing with opportunity and good memories to be had.”

I smiled and finally forced myself to get out of bed. “Good to hear. I’m going to make some coffee and get ready for the day. Send my love to Savannah, Henrik, and Irene.”

“Will do. I’ll catch up with you in a few days, but I’ll text you to let you know where we are,” he said.

“Excellent. Have a wonderful time in the Caribbean.”

“Good luck! Text me if you find the woman of your dreams tonight. Savannah won’t let me sleep if we don’t know one way or another.” He chuckled.

I laughed out loud imagining how Savannah would pester her husband until she got the answers she wanted. The woman could be ruthless if she chose. Something I was sure she learned from her big sister Dakota.

“Goodness. You both are ridiculous.” I gave a long, drawn-out sigh. “Fine. I will let you know what happens. Bye.”

We both hung up and I set about getting coffee, taking a shower, grooming everything, and then ordering breakfast in. By the time I finished my routine and breakfast was delivered, it was nine in the morning. After I checked my work emails, I scrolled through my phone looking for the number I’d entered yesterday for Rebecca.

The phone rang once before an automated voice answered.

“You have reached the number for Eureka’s Pizza. Our hours are from eleven a.m. to ten p.m. Monday through Saturday. We are closed on Sunday. Please call back during normal business hours. Have a great day.”

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