Page 52 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 2

“Dad, you don’t have to lecture me. I’m already a believer.”

“What I’m trying to say, Sunny, is that it had to make him pause. As it would any genuine businessman. He needs to evaluate any possible repercussions to his own business. Not that I really believe there would be any, but it’s still a factor.”

“Ugh, you sound exactly like him. Now I feel even worse. I’d already realized I was kind of being an asshole about it all, but the way he fired off didn’t help.”

My father nodded. “Just talk to him, honey. It seems like you really might have something special brewing between you two. Get it, brewing? Witches. Beer.”

“Oh my god, not the dad jokes.” I covered my eyes and chuckled.

“You know you love them.” Dad prattled on as he pulled up in front of my house where I could clearly see the rental SUV parked.

Apparently, Jack hadn’t packed up and left. Something I’d considered earlier and had sent up a silent prayer to the goddesses that he wouldn’t leave without talking to me first.

I moved to get out of the vehicle but stopped when my father cupped my shoulder.

“Give him a chance, Sunny. I wasn’t kidding about the way that man looked at you. It’s the same way I looked at your mother in the beginning and still do to this day.”

I sucked in a sharp breath. My father was gonzo for my mom. Always had been. They are ridiculously in love, and everyone around them knows it. They’re one another’s soul mates. Twin flames even as they had always been an “opposites attract” type couple. She into the earth, a practicing witch who prayed to goddesses and spoke openly to our ancestors, otherwise known as her spirit guides. My father, on the other hand, had an alphabet soup of academic degrees and was focused on the science behind all things. An unlikely pair to be certain, but somehow it worked beautifully.

“I will give him a chance, Dad. I’ll make it right. There has to be a way for us to work through this,” I said, not sure if it was more for my father’s benefit or for my own. Perhaps both.

I leaned over and kissed my dad’s cheek. “Thanks for the pep talk, Dad. I love you.”

“Love you too, Sunny. Good luck!” he said as I got out of the car.

I smiled, shut the car door, and watched as he drove away. When I turned around to take the stairs leading up to my place, I was greeted by none other than the man himself.

Jack was leaning against the railing, my cat in his arms, his eyes on me.

“Lucky cat,” I remarked as I slowly climbed the stairs.

“I’m sorry,” was the first thing he said when I got to the porch landing.

My chest squeezed and my stomach dropped. “I’m sorry too,” I said, not wanting this ugliness between us to fester.

He blinked as though stunned, his mouth falling open. “You’re…wait. But I was the one…” he stammered.

I reached for Rebecca and pulled her begrudgingly from Jack’s arms. “Girl, I know that chest is comfortable, but it’s my turn,” I grouched and put her down. Then I reached for both of his wrists and stepped into his arms, pressing my body fully to his with my arms forcing his behind my back. He got the memo and held me fully in his arms.

“We were both wrong today, Jack. You had some genuine concerns about your own company, and I should have been more considerate.”

“I shouldn’t have gone off half-cocked like I did. What you do does help people. And honestly, I truly have no problem with what you grow, Summer. It was just a surprise, and a bit shocking. I hadn’t expected it, and I didn’t handle it well.”

“No, you didn’t. I didn’t either. I got defensive and bitchy because what I do is incredibly important to me. It’s why I entered the auction in the first place. To find a man that could teach me a few things, all while sharing a bed, and a life, together.”

“I still want that, Summer.” Jack stated with conviction.

“Really?” I gulped, my nerves so shot I was afraid to hope he’d want to work things out.

He dipped his head to my neck, hiding his face while he hugged me. “One hundred percent. Maybe we could…I don’t know, start over?” he suggested.

I snorted and tightened my hold around him, breathing into the hug, allowing his warmth to permeate through my entirebody. “We don’t need to start over. We just need to work through our concerns and come to a happy medium.”

He pulled back and cupped my neck. “I’d like that. Perhaps we can do so over dinner?” He smiled wickedly as he took my hand. “Come, I may have a little surprise for you.”

“Oh?” I definitely did not expect any type of surprise or gift after the way things went down this morning.

Jack led me into my home and I was instantly aware of the aroma of something savory baking in the oven. The air was rife with delicious scents of garlic, onion, as well as floral notes.

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