Page 70 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 4

“Have a seat on the couch. Would you like something to drink?” I asked, the courtesy coming out on autopilot.

“A nightcap would be preferred. Scotch, if you have it.”

I rolled my eyes and padded to the kitchen. “Mrs. Shaw?” I asked pointedly.

“Naomi, please, I’m yourmother. He’s yourfather,and we both love you dearly,” she croaked. Her eyes actually teared up, one of the handful of times I’ve seen my mother show genuine emotion.

As I poured three glasses with two fingers of Scotch in each, I really took in my mother’s appearance. Purple smudges underneath her eyes, her skin paler than normal, and if my eagle eye was correct, she’d lost some weight since the last time I saw her in person a couple weeks ago. All of this concerned me, knowing she’d suffered a heart attack earlier this month.

I returned with the drinks, passed them out, and then settled primly in the chair opposite the couch. The three of us sat there like strangers, waiting for someone to break the ice.

Abraham cleared his throat. “Naomi, we’re here to discuss the wedding tomorrow and our role in it,” he muttered then ran his palm along his pantleg.

“As my future boss, you have no role in my upcoming nuptials.”

“Naomi, please, we’re here to apologize.” Mother’s voice cracked, then she set the glass down and stood. With hands on her hips, she glared at her husband. “Abraham, I swear to God, if you don’t fix this with our only daughter, I will walk away from you for good.”

Her target scowled. “I’m trying,” he bit out through clenched teeth.

“Not very hard you aren’t!” she snapped.

“I’m here, aren’t I? I have never in my life cowered to another, yet here I am, sitting before my only child in what amounts to a hovel, to…” For a fleeting second, he looked like he might actually throw up. “…renegotiate!”

“I am not a business deal to be made,” I growled. “This is my life we’re talking about.Mine. Not yours. Not Mom’s. I want to marry a man I’m in love with. A man who treats me as though I’m the only person in a room. Who loves me for me, not for what I can give him or the money I have, or the connections my family has. Me.” I smacked at my chest for emphasis. “Memphis lovesme. Do you understand how rare that is?”

Mom crossed her arms over one another. “Naomi is right, Abe. Just because we agreed to marry for status and wealth, doesn’t mean our only daughter should. She’s in love…real love with the young man. And he dotes on her, I’ve seen it with my own eyes. And his family have welcomed our daughter into their lives fully. We wouldn’t have this opportunity if Mrs. Taylor hadn’t urged us to come and make amends. I’ll not have you squander our second chance at redemption to make things right.”

She came over and knelt before me. I set my drink on the side table as she reached for my hands.

“Naomi, I am deeply sorry for putting pressure on you to live your life the way your father and I planned. You are your own person.” She swallowed then took a breath as she stared into my eyes. “You are the bravest, strongest, most intelligent woman I know. You have become more than I could have ever hoped. I am proud of you for chasing after your dreams and making them come true. I love you and I want to be in your life,desperately. You’re my baby, my little girl. I want to see you get married to the man you love and have children. Please, don’t take that away from me…fromus.” She squeezed my hands, her honesty searing a path straight to my heart.

“I love you too, Mom.” I croaked and then turned to look at my father expectantly.

“Abraham, I believe you have something to say to Naomi.” Her tone cut like a blade. Even I trembled at the severity of her demand.

“Naomi, I am sorry. I’m sorry for pushing you so hard I pushed you away from me. I’ve always wanted nothing but the best for my child. Everything I’ve ever done was to ensure your future success. I realize now that I went too far. That meeting we had…” He shifted his shoulders as though shaking off a nasty chill. “That was the first time I realized I could lose you forever. I treated you and your future as a business deal. Thinking back on it, I am disgusted with myself.” He ran his hand over his close-cropped hair then down over the back of his neck. “I may be the head of an empire, but I’m also your father. And I forgot that.”

“And what you did to the Taylors? Buying their house, having their friend fired from the bank,” I hissed, letting my anger show. “These are good people. They don’t deserve your wrath because their son fell in love with your daughter. They’ve welcomed me fully into their family. Instantly, I have five sisters, in-laws, and a granny. I’m gaining so much by marrying into the Taylor family. You should be happy for me, not upset that theyaren’t as wealthy as you are. Their wealth is in their love for one another, and that can’t be bought or sold. It’s given. And they’ve given it to me. It’s worth more than anything money can buy, Dad.”

“Dad,” he whispered and closed his eyes, a moment of true peace crossing his features. “I worried I’d never hear you call me that again.”

Mom got up from her position on the floor and went to sit next to her husband.

“I’ll make it right with the Taylors, Naomi. I’ve already contacted the bank and demanded they rehire their friend. He’s now in a higher position.”

“How did you manage that?” I asked.

He smirked. “I threatened to take my money elsewhere.”

I gave him a half-smile. He really was ruthless in business, but he couldn’t apply that same method to his daughter’s personal life.

“Naomi, we’re here because I want to be in your life,” he grumbled, sounding exasperated.

Mom cleared her throat expectantly.

“Wewant to be in your life,” he amended.

“And attend your wedding,” Mom interrupted once more.

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