Page 12 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 3

“Dad, we should totes have a party!”

“Um, I’m not much for parties, Em. I prefer a lowkey approach to birthdays,” I deflected.

She stared at me silently, blinking as if she didn’t understand a thing I said. Then the girl straight up ignored me and went over to Alana.

“Auntie Alana, did you know it is Maia’s birthday in two days?”

Alana turned her head toward me, and her eyebrows rose as she read my expression, which was filled with anxiety. “I had not made that connection, no.”

“We should have a big bash! Invite all Dad’s and Maia’s friends.”

Little did she know. The only friends I had were members of a motorcycle club.

Alana laid down her wisdom. “Emily, when someone is having a birthday, it is best to ask what they want. Perhaps Maia is not one who prefers to celebrate in such a lavish and exorbitant way.”

I could have fallen over with relief. “Yep, exactly what she said,” I agreed.

Rhodes came up behind me, encircled my waist and pressed his chin to my shoulder. My breath caught as he whispered against my ear.

“It would have been nice to know your birthday was this close.” His stubble tickled my cheek as he spoke.

I leaned back against him and put my hands over his where they covered my abdomen. “I’m uncomfortable with birthdays.”

“Would a nice day out to see the sights and a family dinner be acceptable?” he asked.

He already knew me well in such a short time. “That would be lovely,” I sighed. “Fun for all of us.”

“Em, no party. However, Maia would love to see the sights and have a nice dinner out. I’m thinking dinner in the Eiffel Tower.”

Her mouth dropped open, and she fist pumped triumphantly. “That is sooooooo cool, Dad! I get to go right?” Her blue eyes were sparkling with such joy and excitement, it moved me to see how genuinely herself she was allowed to be in front of these adults.

When I was a kid, it was best not to bring attention to oneself. Today, Emily was the star of our outing and the adults around her enjoyed her exuberance. It was the exact opposite of my past experiences and something that would take time for me to get used to.

Rhodes laughed at her question. “Of course, you get to go.”

“Awesome,” she whispered with barely contained glee. “Then we need to find new outfits.” Those stunning eyes got even bigger as this new idea lit her soul on fire.

“I couldn’t agree more,” Alana stated. “Maia, you’ve been excellent at avoiding trying on or purchasing anything this afternoon. I’m afraid you no longer have a choice.”

I groaned. “It’s so much more fun watching you guys go hog wild.”

Christophe snickered, lifting up the six bags he’d been carrying for Alana and Emily.

Emily skipped over to me, looped her arm with mine, and yanked me from her dad’s arms. “Sorry, Dad. Your woman is in dire need of a birthday outfit.”

“Go hog wild.” Rhodes encouraged, using my phrasing.

“You suck, you know that?” I squinted at him as Emily pulled me away.

“I do know that, and you love it.” His eyes heated with that inner desire we’d banked earlier, which was coming to the surface once more.

Before I knew it, I had a pile of clothes in my arms, and Alana and Emily were dragging me toward a dressing room.

“Poor thing never had a chance.” I could hear Christophe chuckling.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong. Alana and Emily pushed their way into the ridiculously large dressing room. It had a full-size couch with a privacy screen in the corner.

Emily and Alana sat on the couch. “Okay, model for us, Maia!” Emily encouraged.

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