Page 46 of A Christmas Auction

While we held one another the room’s lighting lifted, stealing the shadows.

“That concludes our Christmas Auction, and what a showing it was! I hope to see you at the next auction.Au revoirand Merry Christmas to you all!”

The sound system came on and Mariah Carey’s, “All I want for Christmas is You” blasted through the speakers.

Holly laughed as I removed my suit jacket and placed it around her, covering her body while she threaded her arms through the sleeves.

She looped her arms around my neck and started to sway to the beat.

“Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

“What is this you speak of?” I teased.

“Oh, you know, marriage, date nights, anniversaries, birthdays, my nosey parents, long-distance phone sex, coming-home-from-a-business-trip-away sex. Me working nights at my brand-new bar, when you’re back in town.” She pressed her lips together then looked at me with those knowing warm eyes I missed so damn much. “None of it will be easy. We’ll have to work on it every day.”

“Are you up for the challenge of being married to a work-a-holic, broody, overprotective asshole that is emotionally challenged? I may say or do something that will piss you off. I have many priors in pissing you off, as you well know.”

She nuzzled against my chest and sighed. “True, but some of that I consider foreplay.”

I burst out laughing as we continued to dance on the empty stage.

“I’m sorry about before. I should have told you how I felt.”

She tightened her hold around my waist and pressed her head to my heart. “I’m glad you finally did. And if you don’t want to get married, we don’t have to. I would have dropped out if you’d given me your heart before today. I can figure something else out about the bar.”

“Oh no, I bid on you fair and square. You’re taking that money. Besides, I don’t plan on having a prenuptial agreement. I’m in this with you, Holly. So, half of everything I own will be yours anyway.”

“What if I want a prenup for my ten million buck-a-roos?” she clapped back instantly, that fire within her just starting to blaze. “And seriously? Ten million. What were you thinking? You could have had me forfree. I was ready to jump off the stage the second I saw your face.”

I curled my hand around her jaw and tipped her head up toward mine. I kissed her gently, content in the fact that I had the right to do it any time I wanted from here on out.

“How about this? We get married, I invest inour futuretogether, by investing in the family business you envision. Besides, I’ve already started a successful business. I could help. Would that be acceptable?”

She hummed, looking at the ceiling pretending to think about it. “Hmmm, I guess it’s not a big deal if my own husband is a silent partner. Emphasis on the silent part.”

“Then it’s settled. We’re getting married and going into business together.” I cuddled her close and let everything else fall away. For the first time ever, I was excited about the future and what it might hold.

Mariah’s voice rose into the air as the song came to its final crescendo. “You know, this is my new favorite Christmas song,” I whispered into her ear.

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, because it’s true. All I want for Christmas is you, every day, for the rest of our lives.”

Epilogue

I’ll Be Home for Christmas

HOLLY

One year later…

“Honey, I need a gin and tonic, a glass of the house chardonnay, two shots of Patron, and the Hoot special,” my mother slapped her order on the corner of the bar. She wore jeans, and a black t-shirt with the name of my bar, Night Owl, emblazoned across the front in gold lettering. Her shoes were comfy sneakers, and her smile genuine. No more tight skirts or uncomfortable pantyhose for my mama. And Dad, well he rocked shorts, tennis shoes, and a matching t-shirt while working behind the bar. They worked whatever hours they wanted.

I instantly started the shots and prepped the gin and tonic. “Got it, Mom!”

“I’ve got the chardonnay and the special,” Dad hollered, taking half the order. He worked the bar with me most nights, hanging up his card dealing for good, while Mom waitressed whenever she wanted to, which was also most nights. She also loved bossing around the younger cocktail staff and teaching them the ropes.

“Mac says he’s got a situation in the parking lot,” she added.

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