Bidding Wars (Love Strikes)

chapter Eleven





Luke watched the gate, though he tried not to. More than anything, he wanted Molly to come. One moment he was positive she would come, and the next, he wasn’t so sure. The game was starting in the next ten minutes—it wasn’t looking good.

He glanced over, feeling a little silly he’d saved her a spot. A magazine sat where he hoped she would be soon. He then looked the other way and saw his ex, Leslie, lost in a conversation with another mom. At least she was here. He was glad she hadn’t dragged along her latest boy toy. He hated the number of different men Sammy was meeting. Sometimes he wanted to grab his ex by the shoulders and shake some sense into her. Would it really do any good though?

He stole a glance back at the gate and felt his breath catch in his throat. She was here. Molly had come. She placed her hand over her eyes, looking for him. He stood and waved. She lowered her hand and made her way toward him.

She strolled up, looking sexy as ever in a pair of khaki shorts and a black tank top. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. Had he ever seen her not in her scrubs or pajamas? She was beautiful.

“I’m glad you came.” He picked up the magazine.

She took her seat. “I love baseball. I’ve never seen a game at this age group. I think it’ll be fun.”

He wanted to reach out and take her hand, but he knew with Sammy nearby, it wouldn’t be appropriate. “You’re in for an entertaining time.”

“Oh, Sammy looks so cute in his uniform.”

“Excuse me.” Leslie pushed her way up a section of the bleachers. She stopped in front of Luke and Molly. “I’m Leslie, Sammy’s mom. Who are you?”

Luke took a deep breath. He hadn’t stopped to think about Leslie being here and how she would react. Frankly, he hadn’t thought she’d care. “This is Molly. She is a nurse at the twenty-four-hour pediatrician. I invited her to the game. Sammy was quite smitten with her.”

“Is that so? Is Sammy smitten with her or are you smitten with her?” Her tone was laced with sarcasm.

“I don’t think this is the appropriate place to have a discussion. And the game’s about to start.” Luke pointed toward the field.

Leslie glanced around and then put on a fake smile. “I’ll chat with you guys later.” She made her way back to where she was sitting below.

Luke watched as she leaned in and whispered to the other mother. It shouldn’t bother him, but it did. He wanted to know what the hell she was saying about him or Molly. He turned to Molly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think she’d care.”

“It’s OK; she’s his mom. You know she’s got every right to check me out.”

He nodded, glad she understood.

“Blended families are common now. Sometimes for a sick kid, I have mom and her boyfriend or girlfriend, along with dad and his girlfriend or boyfriend, all in the small patient room. My head spins trying to listen and answer them all.”

Luke laughed. “I can only imagine.”

“So don’t worry, I think as long as I’m polite and respectful to the boundaries in place, everything will be fine.” Molly scooted closer. “I’d hope I’m a better catch than the boyfriend I’ve heard about.”

Oh, she was. If he could catch Molly and reel her in, he’d be satisfied for life.



* * *





The game was over in less than an hour. It had been as adorable as Molly imagined. She stood back on the sidelines as Luke and his ex-wife greeted Sammy. In spite of herself, she looked the other woman up and down. Leslie was dolled up with her best jewelry on, hair curled, and clothes pressed to perfection. It seemed kind of silly to Molly. The game was outside and the temperature was in the high eighties. She was thankful her hair was up and off her neck.

Sammy and his parents made their way toward her. What should she say? How should she act? Why in the world had she come?

“Nurse Molly. I’m so happy you came.” Sammy smiled, clutching his baseball glove.

“Oh, I’m so happy you remembered me. I wanted to make sure you were feeling all better for your game. And you played so well, I’m guessing you’re a hundred and ten percent better.”

“I am.” He looked at his father. “Can you believe how nice she is, Dad? She came all this way to check on me.”

Luke smiled at her. She wanted to smile back, but she caught Leslie in the corner of her eye watching Molly very carefully.

“That was nice.” Luke nodded toward Molly.

“Can we get ice cream?” Sammy looked at his mom now.

“I don’t know sweetie,” Leslie said.

“I can take him and then bring him back to you in an hour if you have something you need to do.”

Leslie squinted her eyes. “Don’t you have something you need to do?”

Molly wasn’t positive, but she felt that comment was referring to her, sexually. Part of her wanted to step in and let Leslie know she wasn’t invading her territory, but she didn’t know where things hung with her and Luke.

“My afternoon is free. I’m not sure what Nurse Molly’s plans are.” Luke looked at Molly.

Molly did her best to suppress the giggle that was begging to escape.

“I really want some ice cream.” Sammy pouted. “If you two are going to fight about it, then maybe Nurse Molly will take me.”

“I’m sorry, Sammy. We didn’t mean to make you think we were fighting.” Luke put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “This is your mom’s weekend, so it’s up to her. We have to respect whatever she decides.”

Leslie tossed her arms up in the air. “You’re so condescending—it’s just like you to put it all on me.”

“I didn’t mean anything by that.” Luke spoke in a quiet tone.

This was getting awkward fast. “I think I’ll let you guys figure this out. I should head home.” She turned to Sammy. “Great game, bud. You did awesome out there.” She turned and started to make her way across the ever-growing field toward the parking lot.

“Wait, Molly.” Luke was calling for her.

She stopped and looked over her shoulder. He said something to Leslie and Sammy and then jogged toward her.

“Don’t leave.”

“Luke, I can’t get in the middle of whatever is going on between the two of you. It’s fine.”

“No, it’s not fine. I was hoping to spend more time with you.”

Taking a deep breath, she wondered if she was about to say the right thing. “I’ll be at my car. When you’re finished, come find me.”

“Thank you.” He turned and went back to his son and ex.

Seeing the strain between Luke and Leslie almost made her happy she and Steven had never had kids. Her marriage with Steven had not been perfect. She often liked to think it had been, but it wasn’t. They’d swept a pile of problems under the rug during those last months together; a baby would’ve only made matters worse.

She leaned against her car and waited. Maybe it was good she was waiting on him. After all, she needed to make sure they were on the same level when it came to the home on Maple Street and the offers. Luke had to know she wouldn’t take kindly to him lowballing it. Or else she was walking away.

After a few more minutes, Luke came walking up, alone. He had a look of defeat on his face. Part of her wanted to reach out and comfort him. Tell him it was all right.

“Thanks for waiting. I’m really sorry about that. I never know how Leslie is going to react to things. But Sammy is getting his ice cream and he was fine with it coming from a drive-thru instead of the ice cream parlor.”

“That’s good to know.”

“Ice cream is ice cream, right?”

“I guess so. But parlor ice cream is always better than the fast-food places.”

“He did ask if you’d come to his next game.” Luke’s face brightened.

“How did Leslie take that?”

“Fine. She said she’d just like a heads up next time before I bring a girl along.” He rolled his eyes.

“This is new for her. If, like you said, I’m the first woman you’ve dated.”

Luke smiled and stepped toward her, closing the space. “Are we dating?”

“Uh…”

“Do you know how hard it is for me not to kiss you right now? You look so adorable when you panic.”

Kiss. Oh yes, a kiss would be really good right about now. But she had to resist. Placing a hand on his chest, she pushed him back a little. As close as he was, his aftershave was attacking her senses and causing her not to think clearly. If he didn’t move back, she surely would kiss him.

“I talked to Diane.”

He stepped back. She’d killed the mood, just as planned.

“Did she think you were batty?” Irritation was in his voice.

“Ha ha.” Molly crossed her arms. “And to answer your question, she did.”

Luke laughed.

“Anyway, she brought up a good point and I thought I should discuss it with you.”

“Wait, she agreed?”

“She’s going to discuss it with the seller’s agent, and in a few days I should know something.”

Luke looked genuinely surprised. “OK, go on.”

“If you get to submit your offer, you have to promise not to lowball it.”

“To be honest, it never crossed my mind. I didn’t expect your agent to agree to this.” He crossed his arms and leaned against her car.

“She did, and I need you to promise you’ll play fair.” Molly cleared her throat. “There is a slight problem, though. Others can put in offers as well.”

“What? You don’t seriously want to continue down this path, do you?”

“I’ve taken it this far. Anyway, back to your promise.”

“I’ll promise under one condition.”

Was he serious? “Luke…”

“What, we can’t only play by your rules. What fun is that?”

“I don’t know that I’d call any of this fun, but I’m game. What’s your condition?”

“Dinner at my place, tonight.”

She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Do you think it’s a good idea?”

“Be honest with yourself. You’re attracted to me and I’m very attracted to you. Come to my house and have dinner.”

“No funny stuff.”

He shifted close to her again. “I won’t make a move on you, unless you want me to.”

She gazed into his eyes. That seemed easy enough. All she had to do was get through dinner and then he wouldn’t lowball his offer. It seemed easy enough, but were things ever as easy as they appeared?