Page 56 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 2

Emily jumped in the air, both arms raised above her head before she dashed down the stairs. When Rhodes reached the bottom step, she jumped into the air. He caught her, bracing a foot back as he did so, but locked her in place and spun her around.

“Daddy! I knew you couldn’t vacation without me!” she gushed. “You need me!”

Ah, now I see. Emily—almost fourteen and wanting to be so independent—actuallyneedsher father towantto spend time with her. Interesting bit of information I planned to discuss with Rhodes at a more private moment.

Christophe curled me against his side as we watched the tableau unfold.

The house attendant opened the door for Maia who cautiously exited the car and gave me a slight wave before her gaze moved to take in the house. I saw her mouth the word, “Wow,” as she crossed her arms over her chest, in an attempt to make herself a little smaller and less noticeable. It didn’t work. Maia was a stunning natural beauty. No matter where she went, what she wore, or how hard she tried to hide, she would always be noticed.

“Who’s that?” Emily pointed to Maia.

Maia uncrossed her arms and rubbed her palms on her faded jeans.

Rhodes set Emily down then looped his arm around her shoulders. “That is Maia Fields,” he said.

“Is that your girlfriend?” Emily asked, shy interest in her tone.

“Um, sort of. She’s a friend, and a girl but…” Rhodes rubbed at jaw tiredly.

That was my cue.

I clapped my hands, and everyone looked at me. “Emily darling, this is Maia, an old friend of mine. She is dating your father. So when plans changed, we all thought it would be fun to spend time together in France and get to know one another.Oui, Rhodes? Maia?”

“Yeah, for sure. Is that okay, kiddo?” Rhodes gestured to Emily, his tone filled with worry.

“Oui, oui,” Maia said and then snorted as though attempting and failing to hold back her laughter. “I mean, that sounded like I have to go pee. Which, technically, I really do, but that wasn’t…”

Emily cracked up laughing. “Dad! Your girlfriend said oui, oui, because she has to pee pee!” She continued to cackle.

Maia laughed, probably harder than she needed to, but walked up to the girl and held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Maia. I like your anime pj’s. They’re cool as fuck.” Then her eyes widened as Rhodes said, “Maia!”

“Shit, fuck, ah, I mean…I’m really tired,” Maia stammered miserably. “Sorry, Emily,” she mumbled, her cheeks turning bright pink.

Surprising us all, Emily reached out and pulled Maia into a hug, clapping her on the back. “Is this your first time meeting a guy that has a kid?” she asked out of the blue, sounding rather mature all of a sudden.

“Totally,” Maia admitted. “And you’re so pretty, which means your mom is probably drop dead gorgeous,” she babbled, laying it on a little thick.

“She is,” Emily said with pure pride. “She’s a model, but I don’t get to see her much.” Emily’s tone said even more than the words themselves.

Not that I needed a reminder, but I hated Portia Davenport. Hated her with every fiber of my being.

“I don’t get to see my mom much either. It sucks. Does it suck for you?” Maia asked sounding genuine.

Emily tilted her head, looking deeply into Maia’s eyes. Then she suddenly nodded. “Totally, but my Dad is pretty cool.” She covered her mouth. “Duh, you probably know that already since you’re his girlfriend. I can’t believe my Dad has a girlfriend. Did you know you’re the first one ever?”

“No pressure there. Jeez, Emily. You trying to make me pass out?” She teased Emily, who laughed heartily. “Thank you for being such an awesome kid and not being mean. I was scared to meet you. Rhodes said you were the most important thing in his entire life, and if you didn’t like me, well, all bets were off.”

That last part did not sound like Rhodes, but I could see the way Maia was playing this.

Emily puffed up her chest. “Daddy! You said that about me?”

I could tell by the look on Rhodes’ face that he, in fact, hadnotsaid anything of the sort. Maia was schmoozing this teenager like her life depended on it and winning splendidly.

He deflected, answering the bit that was true. “I… Well, you are the most important thing in my life.”

“Daddy, I told you I wanted you to be happy. You, like, never ever date. This is a good thing. Besides”—she looked Maia up and down—“I think we’re close in size. We can share clothes!” She squealed as though they were all of a sudden best friends.

“Anything of mine you want, it’s yours. I don’t have much anyway.” This was probably the truth, especially if her place had been ransacked.

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