Bidding Wars (Love Strikes)

chapter Ten





Molly was trying to be as quiet as possible in the kitchen as she prepared breakfast. She hadn’t expected to wake up and find Luke still in her bed. She thought he would’ve left at some point during the night, but instead he was lying above her covers, sound asleep with a sexy five o’clock shadow on his face.

Molly removed the crispy bacon from the pan and added a few more strips, hearing that popping sound as it cooked. She had the eggs ready to pour once the bacon was done. Taking a moment to breathe, she gulped down her coffee then went back to the task at hand. Cooking a big breakfast was one of those meals you had to stay on top of or something would end up burnt.

She peeked into to the oven. The homemade buttermilk biscuits were almost done. Maybe another two minutes and they’d be perfect. It had been a long time since she’d prepared a breakfast for someone other than herself. And all she usually made herself was toast with microwavable sausage. She wanted this to be delicious and just right and then send her uninvited guest on his way so he didn’t get the wrong idea. Or better yet, so she didn’t get the wrong idea.

She took the bacon from the pan and laid it with the rest. She stole a bite from one that had already cooled. Moaning aloud, she basked in the salty flavor.

“Good morning.” A deep male voice startled her.

She spun around. God, mornings were good to Luke. On top of that sexy stubble, his hair was slightly messy, his clothes wrinkled, and all put together made the hottest man she’d ever seen. Everyone needed to wake up looking as good as he did. She had made a dash to the restroom when she woke to brush her teeth, fix her hair, and make sure she didn’t have raccoon eyes from her mascara she didn’t wash off before bed.

“It smells amazing. It’s been a long time since I’ve had breakfast that didn’t come from a cardboard box.”

“I hope it lives up to your standards then.”

“I’m sure it will taste great. Can I help?” He moved a little closer to her.

“Uh, I got it. I just need to…shit! The biscuits.” She spun around and pulled the oven door open. They weren’t burnt yet, but were close. Grabbing a pot holder, she then pulled the tray out and laid it on the stove across two empty burners. She let out a frustrated sigh and then got back to cooking.

“I’ll get out of your way. Is it OK if I get a cup of coffee?”

“Yeah, help yourself.” She pointed toward the coffee maker. “This is almost done.”

Molly did her best to concentrate on breakfast and not the hunky man. He moved with ease through her tiny kitchen as he found a mug, poured his coffee, and then leaned against the counter for his first sip. Without having to look at him, she knew he was watching her.

Heat rose through her body and her cheeks warmed. Why was she so antsy around him? Oh yeah, she’d spent the night with him. Nothing had happened though, but it sure as hell felt as though something had.

She just needed to feed him and get him out of there.

That was the plan. Luke was incredibly charming; she could easily fall hard and fast for him. She wasn’t ready…however, the mouthwatering Luke was making her feel more and more as though she was.

Finally, breakfast was done and she’d prepared both plates. “Grab a plate and join me in the living room. I don’t have a dining room table. It didn’t seem like something I needed, with it just me here.” Why had she said that? She’d opened up conversation now to be about her.

He didn’t comment as he followed her and took a seat on the couch beside her.

“This is really good.” He took another bite.

“Thanks. I love cooking.”

“Do you cook much?”

“I’d like to, but I don’t get many opportunities. It’s kinda silly to create big meals for one person.”

“I suppose you’re right. Though I’m sure the men at the station would love your leftovers.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” She finished a piece of crispy bacon. “I’m sorry for crying yesterday. That was awkward for us both, I’m sure. But I was serious about calling Diane about the house.”

“You don’t have to.”

She set her plate down on the coffee table. “I have to. I really don’t understand why you stepped out. But I can’t take this house and be happy now that I know you. It’s not right. I want you to submit your offer and let the best one win.”

“The seller has already signed your contracts, and I’m sure your mortgage company is working on it.”

“I don’t care. If you don’t take this deal, then I’m going to back out. And that means I lose a lot of money. I put down a very hefty earnest.”

Luke leaned back on the couch and sighed. “I can’t change your mind?”

She shook her head.

Luke ran his fingers through his short, tousled hair. “I don’t know what to say, other than this is crazy. You’re crazy.”

“Diane may throw the idea out the window—”

“You think? That’s her commission you’re playing with. I don’t see your realtor going for it, but if you can convince her, I’m game. If that will make you happy.”

She gazed at him. “It will.”

He returned to his food, not saying anything. She wished she could read his mind and find out what he was thinking. He probably realized he’d spent the night with a loony woman and wouldn’t be knocking on her door again.

With the silence thick between them, it didn’t take long for them to finish breakfast.

“Can I do the dishes?” Luke set his fork on the plate.

“I’ve got it. I’m sure you have somewhere you need to be.”

“Sammy has a baseball game this afternoon, actually, at the local recreation center. Want to come?”

He caught her by surprise; she didn’t know what to say. It sounded like a great time, sitting there watching the young boys figure out the sport. And the proud parents in the stands as they cheered their little ones on when they hit the ball.

“I…”

“I don’t want some lame excuse. If you want to come, it’s at three. If you don’t, then it’s fine. I’m going to leave it up to you. He’ll be playing on ball field four.”

“OK, I’ll try to make it. But don’t tell Sammy, just in case. I don’t want him to be looking for me.” It dawned on her that even if she went, Sammy probably wouldn’t know who she was. The only person she would be disappointing was Luke. And for some reason, that thought alone caused an achy feeling around her heart.

“Well, if I see you—great.” He walked toward the front door. When he got there he turned. “Sure I can’t convince you that your idea about the house is bonkers?”

Taking a deep breath, she decided to open up and be a little more honest, not only with him but with herself as well. “If there is something between you and me, then I don’t want the house to come between us. I don’t want you ever to regret not getting it, and I don’t want to spend our time together always wondering. So, yes, I think it’s necessary.”

“Then if that’s what it takes for you to give me a chance, let’s do it.”

“OK, let the best offer win.” She laughed.

He let out a loud laugh and left with a big grin across his face. She looked out the front window and watched as he drove off in his truck until he was out of sight. Diane was going to think she was insane, but she had a valid reason for this. There were too many what ifs that needed to be sorted out. And Luke wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

She busied herself in the kitchen and decided a shower was in order before she called her agent. Diane wasn’t going to like this phone call, and Molly had no idea how it was going to play out.



* * *





“Excuse me, did I hear you right?” Diane’s voice came through loudly on the phone.

Molly pulled the phone from her ear and took a deep breath before she answered. “Yes.”

“This is unheard of. I don’t think anything like this has ever happened.”

“Can it be done?” Diane just had to say yes.

“I have absolutely no idea. The papers have been signed, do you understand that?”

“I do.”

“This is why people don’t know who they are up against, so it doesn’t get personal. I get that you know this man and his story now. There’s a very good chance the seller will say no.”

“Yes, but the seller might be getting a better offer from Luke. And why would the seller want to pass that up?”

Diane was silent before she spoke again. Molly could tell she had ruined her realtor’s Saturday. “I can’t make any promises. I’ll call the selling agent and discuss this crazy idea with him and see what he thinks. And only then will we go to Luke’s agent. You do realize that, once again, Maple Street will be fair game to anyone. It won’t be just you and Luke having a bidding war. It will be you, Luke, and any other potential buyers.” Diane let out another frustrated sigh. “I just can’t believe this. You love this house. What has gotten into you, if you don’t mind me asking?”

“I want to win it fair and square.”

“You need to call Gail and let her know what’s going on. And it could be a few days before you hear back from me. Let her know to put things on hold…if she can. Chances are the appraisal has been ordered. And if you don’t get this house, it very well may be money out of your pocket.”

“I understand. Thank you for trying.”

“I don’t know why I am, to be honest. I think this is the most outrageous request I’ve received from a client.”

Clearly, Diane was pissed off. She seemed to be having a very hard time biting her tongue. But, at least she was going to get the idea out there. It was up to the seller now.

“I have one question, Molly. If the seller says no, are you going to go forward with this loan?”

Molly bit her lip, unsure how to respond.

“Maybe he walked away because he wasn’t willing to go higher.”

“He said he was OK with me doing this.”

“If you don’t mind me saying, I think this man is very smitten with you to allow any of this. Especially because someone could still come in and snatch it away from you both.” Diane took a deep breath. “Besides, for whatever reason he wants you to have it. He’s likely to lowball his offer.”

“I never thought of that.”

“What? That the man has the hots for you?”

She laughed. “No, that he won’t give his best offer on purpose so I can keep the house.”

“Well, I would tell you not to contact him again, but I think that would be a waste of my breath. I’ll get back to you as soon as I know something. I’ve got a client to meet with in thirty minutes. A client who I hope isn’t also trying to give me a heart attack.”

“Have fun.”

She glanced at the clock. She had to make it to Sammy’s game. Not only to see him play, but to make sure Luke wasn’t planning to lowball the offer instead of giving his true highest and best. Otherwise, this was just silly, not to mention scary that others could bid as well.