Highest Bidder Collection - Lauren Landish Page 0,161

ten people in the room, several aunts, uncles and cousins who are around my age. But the last person to come to me is someone I’ve been avoiding just as much as my mother.

“Hello, pumpkin,” Dad says, holding his arms out to me. He’s dressed in grey slacks, matching tie and a white dress shirt. Like my mom, he’s aged quite a bit with his almost fully grey hair and a spider web of wrinkles around his eyes. He worried himself to death over my disappearance. “God, how I’ve missed you.”

Once again, it’s an effort not to just break down and I know if I let out one sob, one sigh even, it’s over for me. I have to keep reminding myself of Isaac’s words. You’re going to perfect for me, kitten. If I can get through this without turning into a complete mess, I know I’ll be rewarded. It’ll make him happy. It’s my job to please him. I cling to that fact, letting it be my strength to pull through, letting it be my armor.

“I’ve missed you too, Dad,” I say, my voice heavy with emotion, but not in danger of cracking as he pulls me into his arms for a fierce bear hug, kissing me multiple times on my cheek and telling me how much he loves me, much in the same way Mom did.

When he’s done showering me with affection, he pulls back and eyes Isaac with slight apprehension, his body language instantly changing and on edge.

He’s definitely not giving Isaac the warm welcome my mother gave, but I understand why. “Who’s this young man?”

I open my mouth to tell him, but Isaac steps forward, extending a hand. “Isaac Rocci, your daughter’s new boyfriend.” Just hearing the word boyfriend come from Isaac’s lips again nearly causes me to swoon. I just can’t get used to thinking about him in that context. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Herrington.” Isaac’s words are smooth and confident as he places a hand on my lower back, sending a subtle but powerful message to my father.

My body tingles with the wave of anxiety. This is something I hadn’t anticipated. I didn’t give any thought to it whatsoever.

My dad seems taken aback by Isaac’s boldness for a moment, his mouth opening and closing several times before he takes Isaac’s hand and shakes it. “It’s a pleasure.” I’m not sure, but I think Dad’s respect for Isaac has gone up several notches, which is surprising. I half expected him to challenge Isaac to a duel right then and there.

“Now,” says Lyssa as she steps forward and playfully pokes me in the arm, “Kat, can you please tell me where you found Isaac?” She shakes her head and pretends to wipe imaginary sweat from her brow. “Because Lord Jesus, please tell me there’s more where he came from.”

My mother snickers, and my aunts erupt with laughter in the corner of the room and even I have to chuckle a little, my face turning red and my mood slightly lifting. Somehow I know one of my crazy aunts put Lyssa up to it.

“So, how did you two meet?” Dad asks as everyone settles in their seats. He’s sitting across from us in a loveseat with Mom, leaning forward with intense interest, his elbows resting on his knees.

“At a business club,” Isaac says easily.

Dad furrows his brow and asks, “A what?”

Isaac nods. “It’s a business club, for young entrepreneurs. It’s a place where likeminded, business-driven individuals can come together and share tips and ideas to help drive sales and success.” Isaac sits back easily in the seat, and I watch him with interest. I’ve never seen him speak like this. It’s different. “I own my own security company, and Katia runs her own business with the dogs. We didn’t have much in common in terms of business needs but I gravitated toward her. She's strong, and smart. Independent.” Isaac smiles at me. “The first time I laid eyes on her, I knew she was something special. But when I heard her speak, the sound of her voice...” Isaac looks at me, rubbing my back and causing warmth to spread up and down my torso. I’m just sitting here awkwardly, blushing like a fiend, and with a stupid look on my face. “...She had me sold.” I almost choke on the irony of his words.

My father sits back in his seat, a look of relief crossing over his face. “Oh, Katia didn’t tell us about