Bidding Wars (Love Strikes) Read online

  She rolled her eyes. “You know nothing about me or my life. And I wasn’t looking for your sympathy. I’m over that from people. I thought maybe I could talk to you and get you to see that I really love that house. But now I see that talking with you doesn’t do any good.”

  “You didn’t come in here and try to talk, Ms. Harper. You came into the station demanding to see me, and once you got back here you demanded I withdraw my offer. You weren’t looking for a pleasant chat.”

  “How dare you! You know what? May the best offer win.” Molly left in as much as a ruckus as she’d come.

  She crossed the station with fury in her step. What had just happened? Clearly, she wanted that house with a passion. If she didn’t get the house, would she show up here again?

  He grabbed the property paperwork and tried to focus. Molly Harper’s words played in his head: may the best offer win. Did he want to make a competition out of this, as she clearly did? Or did he want to leave his generous offer alone. He picked up the photo on his desk of his five-year-old son. Sammy would love that house. Several big oak trees in the back yard were perfect for tree houses. The back yard was a little boy’s dream place to explore—already fenced and perfect for the dog he’d always hoped for.

  He’d always liked competition. When he first discovered eBay, he spent hours enjoying the thrill of winning. He wanted the house, and he was willing to go as high as he had to go. He drummed his fingers on his desk as his thoughts flashed back to how attractive Molly appeared when she was angry. That’s right, Molly Harper, with your sweet ass—may the best offer win. He grinned and picked up his phone to make a call to his realtor.

  * * *

  “I don’t understand. What’s taking so long?” Molly parked the car in front of her small condo.

  “They’ve got to look at each and every offer. I’m guessing they’ve received quite a few, since we’re still waiting,” Diane said on the other side of the phone conversation.

  She let out a loud groan. “My lease is up soon, and I’ve already told the landlord I won’t be renewing. Someone needs to hurry up and figure something out. In the event I don’t get it, you and I need to get back out there.”

  “I understand. I promise, as soon as I hear something you’ll be the first to know. I’ve done all I can do on my end.”

  “I guess, but this is just getting ridiculous.” She was beyond irritated and couldn’t stand having her entire life up in the air.

  “It’s Friday. Try going out tonight and having a little fun. Forget about all of this.”

  “Easy for you to say.” Molly rolled her eyes.

  “I’ll be in touch soon.”

  “All right. Thanks, Diane. Bye.” She didn’t feel any better than before she’d called.

  She sat in the car a moment and stared at her small condo. As the time passed, she had a bad feeling she wasn’t getting the house. Sure, she’d offered forty thousand over asking—a damn good offer—but that didn’t mean Officer Logan didn’t offer forty-one thousand over. It was a possibility.

  As she brought the groceries inside, she decided to give Sandy a call. If she didn’t talk to a friend right now, she was going to go insane. The last thing she wanted was to have another Friday night pity party. Unfortunately, that handsome sheriff had been right: if she didn’t change her attitude, then things never would start to look up.

  “Hello,” Sandy said after the first ring.

  “Hey, it’s me.”

  “What’s up? Any news yet?”

  She placed the milk carton and eggs in the fridge. “I wish. I’m going crazy waiting. And the longer I wait, the more devastating it’s going to be if I don’t get the house.”

  “I don’t see how you wouldn’t. You really think someone offered more than you?”

  “It’s always possible.”

  “What are you doing right now?”

  “Putting away groceries. The highlight of my life.” She closed the fridge.

  Sandy laughed. “I’m picking you up and we’re going to hit the town. My treat.”

  Molly glanced at the clock. It was a little after six. A bit early to hit the liquor, but it was Friday and had been a hell of a week. A night of fun was probably just what she needed. And if Sandy was driving, that meant if she drank a little too much, she wouldn’t have to call a cab.

  An hour later, they were pulling up to a bar known for dancing and karaoke. There was nothing better than seeing drunk people attempt to sing. Hopefully, because it was early, not many people would be singing yet. She’d like to have a drink in her before someone murdered a song.

  Inside the dimly lit bar, a chalkboard announced that tonight’s specials were wings and that it was ladies’ night. When was it ever not ladies’ night? But hey, that meant their drinks were half price, so who was she to complain?

  Sandy guided her to the bar, where they sat down on two high stools.

  “I think we should eat something first,” Molly suggested.

  “You’re right. Otherwise by eight thirty, we’ll be the drunks singing.”

  Molly laughed. “Yes, let’s make a fool of ourselves after everyone else does. Or everyone here is toasted.”

  They decided to order a platter of wings and fries. Sandy insisted Molly go ahead and get a drink to let some of her stress melt away. And who was Molly to argue?

  As they waited on the food, Sandy—also a nurse at the hospital—told her about her day. Sandy always got the mothers from hell. The ones who were certain their kids had some disease and who could never be satisfied that their kids had a curable cold and would be fine with a little rest.

  It didn’t take long for the food to arrive. The busty blonde bartender laid down the platter and asked if they needed anything else. Sandy ordered a Coke with a shot of whiskey in it.

  “Don’t forget you’re the designated driver tonight.” Molly took a sip from her fruity drink.

  “And you better get plastered for us both!”

  Molly laughed and bit into her fry as she looked around the bar. The place was beginning to fill up. They’d only had one man so far approach them to dance, and Sandy, being the in-charge type, kindly let him know they were having a girls’ night and that if and when they wanted to dance, he’d be the first one they found. After all, he was extremely attractive, but neither of them were ready to be touching bodies with a man.

  Molly glanced at the stage and then toward the front entrance. “Oh my God!” She dropped her fry on the floor.

  “What?”

  “It’s him.”

  “Who?”

  “The guy who wants my house.” Of all the bars for them both to visit on a Friday night.

  “You’re kidding? Where?” Sandy was practically falling off her stool as she looked around.

  “He just came in the door. The blond one with the nice biceps.”

  “Wow, he’s hot. Oh crap, don’t look now, but he’s heading toward the bar.”

  They both swung around, pretending to be lost in their food. Molly didn’t think he’d seen her. He took a seat five chairs down and ordered a beer. From the corner of her eye, she studied him. Tonight he wore a black T-shirt with light jeans. His hair was styled the same way it had been the two previous times she’d seen him. He kept it short, with just a little hair gel to keep it in place.

  When he got his beer, he pressed it to his lips and took a long drink. He looked as though he needed an adult beverage as much as she did. Well good, he deserved it. If he’d just backed out as she’d asked, they’d both have a little less stress right about now.

  “Do you think he knows you’re here?” Sandy whispered.

  “As long as he doesn’t look this way, I think we’re fine.”

  “Maybe you should talk to him. Maybe he’s here drowning in his sorrows because his agent called to say he didn’t get the house.”

  Molly raised an eyebrow. “Doubtful. Don’t you think if I got it, I would’ve heard first?”

  Sandy shrugged. “I
don’t know. I inherited my house.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s not as easy as everyone makes it out to be. Especially when someone wants the same place as you.” Picking up her drink, she chugged the rest of her martini. “I need another.”

  Sandy laughed and raised her hand to get the bartender’s attention. Only, when the busty blonde came over, Luke was looking her way. Crap, he’d seen her now. He picked up his beer and walked her way. Did he really have to come talk to her? Couldn’t they go on ignoring one another?

  “Good evening, Ms. Harper.” He took a seat next to her.

  “Officer Logan.” She glared at him.

  “Please, call me Luke. Can I call you Molly?”

  “No, I think Ms. Harper is more appropriate.”

  He laughed. And it was an adorable laugh. His whole face lit up, and he had a dimple in his cheek. Oh God, she had a weak spot for men with dimples. There was just something so cute about it. Not that this man was cute—he was hot. If circumstances had been different, she’d be flattered he was talking to her.

  “Well then, Ms. Harper, I take it you’ve not heard yet from your realtor.”

  Molly let out a sigh. “No, not yet.”

  “Want to drink together, if your friend doesn’t mind?”

  Sandy leaned her elbow on the bar. “Not really sure it’s a good idea, seeing as you’re her competition.”

  “It wasn’t a competition until Ms. Harper here said, ‘Let the best offer win.’ She upped the game.”

  Oh sure, blame it on her. “Look, I really want the house. And I’m going to be devastated if I don’t get it. I understand, you hear sob stories all day, yadda yadda yadda, but I truly have had a year from hell. And that house is a new beginning for me.” She paused. “I’m sure I could have handled myself differently the other day. I apologize for barging into your office.”

  He took another sip of his beer. “Apology accepted. I’m sorry to hear that things haven’t been going your way, really I am.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Please, you don’t care about me.”

  “I don’t know you.” He gazed into her eyes.

  For a moment her breath caught and it was as if they were having a moment. Then reality hit: there couldn’t be anything between them—ever. “And you probably never will. Once this is over, one of us gets a gorgeous new home and the other goes back to square one.”

  “Guess you’re right about that.” He cleared his throat. “Are you single?”

  Was this man serious?

  Sandy gave him a sharp nod. “What’s it to you?”

  “I only ask because it’s a big house. It would usually just be me there. And if I win, I’d be willing to rent you a room. Just something to think about.”

  Molly took a sip of her martini, not believing her ears. Had the man really offered her a room? There was no way she would ever be that desperate that she would need to rent a room in her dream home from him.

  “Thanks for the offer. And sorry, I can’t return that favor when I win it.” Molly spoke with a bitter tone.

  “Want to get out of here?” Sandy looked at her friend.

  “Don’t leave on my account. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just thought maybe we could be friends.”

  She was about to speak, but her cell phone rang. Pulling it out of her purse, she saw it was her realtor. Luke’s phone rang at the same time as hers. It was time to find out who was getting the house.

  Chapter Three

  “Hi, Diane, hold on a moment so I can get somewhere a little quieter.” Molly excused herself from Sandy and headed out the front door.

  Luke was on her tracks, speaking to his agent as well. Once out the front door, they went their separate ways. She glanced back at him before she returned to her call.

  “Ok, that’s better.”

  “Well, you had the highest offer.” Molly heard something in Diane’s voice that lead her to believe once again bad news followed.

  “But…”

  “Someone else offered the same as you did. The exact same offer. Which is freaky, if you ask me. So, you have another forty-eight hours to decide again what is your highest and best. Though I must warn you, until a bid is accepted, the seller can accept new offers.”

  Molly’s stomach began to churn. It was bad enough this had become a competition between Luke and her, but to know someone else could still step in made her feel sick. “But, that was my highest and best. That was the maximum amount I was preapproved for. What do I do?”

  “I hate this. Call your lender first thing in the morning. I know it’s a Saturday, but somehow get a hold of her and see if they can raise it. Even another ten thousand. It isn’t going to raise your monthly payment that much. You have excellent credit and a great-paying job. I think they will.”

  “If they don’t?”

  “Hope like hell. Maybe we can raise the earnest amount to look better.”

  Molly glanced over her shoulder at Luke, who looked to be in a deep conversation with his agent. Right now, he, too, was coming up with a plan to win the house. Maybe she could talk to him again and make him see why she needed the house. It never occurred to her though why he wanted the house so badly. She’d been so caught up in herself; maybe he had a story too.

  He put his phone in his pocket and leaned against his car. He gazed at her, and she knew he was waiting for her to finish her call.

  “OK, well, I’ll call Gail first thing in the morning and as soon as I know something, I’ll call you.”

  “OK, sweetie. I’m really sorry about this. Look at other options as well. Maybe a rich family member who can loan you some money for a down payment. Whatever can make your offer look better at this point. A bigger offer doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best offer if the other one is less hassle. Get some rest.”

  “I’ll try. ’Night, Diane.” She hung up the phone and dropped it back in her purse.

  He walked toward her. She crossed her arms. She had to stay strong even though she wanted to bawl her eyes out. Taking a deep breath, she hoped he’d maxed out his approved rate as well. Coming up with more cash for the earnest wasn’t going to be too difficult. However, getting approved for a higher loan amount from the bank might not be so easy.

  “I take it you got the same call as I did.” He shrugged and raised an eyebrow.

  “It appears so. At least we beat out anyone else who wanted the place. So now it’s just down to us.”

  Luke was quiet a moment. He kicked his foot on the pavement and bit his bottom lip, then looked at her with a face full of sympathy. “I really hate this. Once again you and I are going to raise our offers and have to wait it out.”

  He had wiggle room. She didn’t. Her heart sunk. She wasn’t going to win. Maybe she should just back out. Raise the white flag and move on. It was just a house. Sure, it was a house she could see herself in forever and, if she had kids, raise them there. But she didn’t have kids and had no idea if that was ever in the cards for her biologically.

  “Can I ask why you want the house so much?” Molly was slightly curious.

  “I have a son I’m trying to get custody of. His mother tries her best, I guess, but she just isn’t motherly. She goes out a lot, and I worry she drinks too much. I think if I owned a house, it would look better if I take her to court.”

  “Oh, and it has to be that house?”

  He smirked. “I guess it doesn’t have to. There was a perfect place in the back yard for a tree house.”

  “I saw it. The two big oaks with the big branches that almost intertwined in the middle.”

  He closed his eyes for a moment and gave a soft sigh as he nodded. “That’s it.”

  “I guess we both have our reasons then.”

  “Do you have kids?”

  She shook her head. He began to speak again, but Sandy called Molly from the bar entrance, interrupting him. Looking away from Luke, not really sure what to say, she choose to walk away and go back to her friend. At the door, she looked back and saw h
im climb into his truck. At least he was leaving—hopefully they’d never cross paths again because, for some reason, she felt a strange attraction to him.

  Sandy wrapped her arms around Molly and told her to fill her in on what happened. Before she could say the words, she needed to sit and let everything that happened sink in. And not just about the house, but why she suddenly cared about this stranger.

  * * *

  Luke sat outside on his porch, watching Sammy play in the sprinkler. His kid loved that thing, but his wallet didn’t when the water bill came in. Sammy enjoyed water, and Luke hoped to put a pool in whenever he got his new place.

  After he’d picked his son up this morning, he drove around the neighborhoods nearby and checked out the other homes for sale. At some of the vacant ones, they got out and walked around. But there was always something he didn’t like. Something that didn’t compare to the house on Maple Street.

  He took Sammy by the house and of course, his son loved it. Even begged him to get it. Seeing the way Sammy’s face lit up, he knew he had to have it. Molly crossed his mind many times. She loved the house too. This past year had been hard for her, and she had a story to share if only she could find someone willing to listen. However, he’d still instructed his realtor to take his offer up to his max and raise the earnest money fifteen hundred more. If he got the house, he was going to have an enemy, but there wasn’t much he could do. Whoever lost would have to find another home. He didn’t have only himself to think about, but Sammy as well.

  He needed to get custody of his son. His ex-wife loved Sammy but just didn’t have it in her. Kids didn’t get easier as they got older, they got harder. Leslie was likely popping pills daily and drinking. He was building a case, and he needed to get into a home that would show Sammy would have a more stable environment, because both he and Leslie were currently renters. Even though his lawyer told him often that renting versus owning didn’t matter to the judge, he couldn’t see how it wouldn’t help with his case.