Bidding Wars (Love Strikes)(14)

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.





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.”