Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64887 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 324(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 216(@300wpm)
“Now, tell me what’s on your mind, Grayson,” he says as he crosses his ankle onto his knee.
I take a deep breath. “Sir, I love your daughter with all my heart and soul, and nothing will ever change that. I’m planning to ask her to marry me, and I’d very much like to get your blessing before doing that, if you’d honor me with it.” Whew. That was a lot more like the speech I practiced in my head outside the bathroom door. Not perfect. But not too shabby, either.
The man smiles. “Haven’t you already asked Selena to marry you several times, without first asking for my blessing? So, why ask me now?”
Shit. Why didn’t I realize Selena would tell her beloved father about all those prior proposals? Those two are tight as ticks, and Selena’s clearly enjoyed all of them.
“Those were practice runs, basically, meant to let Selena know how serious I am about her. Also, I think I’ve been trying to normalize the idea for her—you know, inching her closer and closer to feeling like saying yes to me one day wouldn’t be the craziest thing in the world to do.”
“Do you think it would be crazy for her to marry you?”
“Uh. No. I . . . I think I misspoke. I meant I’ve been normalizing the idea for her; in case she thinks it’d be a crazy thing to do. I don’t think it’d be crazy at all. Honestly, I’ve been hoping she’ll one day feel ready to say yes to me for a very long time.”
“And you think that day is finally here?”
“Yes, I do, sir.” I explain the whole thing to him, concluding with the fact that Selena pointedly serenaded me in the kitchen a few minutes ago with a highly suggestive song. “And she didn’t correct or contradict me when I told her I’d gotten distracted by a ‘smoke signal,’” I say in conclusion. “In fact, when I specifically used that phrase—smoke signal—she replied only with, ‘How lovely.’ Not ‘You misunderstood me, Grayson.’ I think that’s a pretty good indication she was confirming my interpretation of events, don’t you?”
Pops returns my wide grin. “It sure seems like it.”
I shudder with excitement. “I’m positive Selena was telling me it’s finally time to propose to her for real, sir. It’s time for me to pull out all the stops and give her the kind of proposal she deserves, with all the bells and whistles. And that includes getting your blessing, if you’re willing to give it to me.”
Pops leans back into his chair and steeples his fingers. “And if I’m not?”
My stomach sinks. “I’ll ask her, anyway. Nothing will stop me. But I’d strongly prefer to have your blessing, because I know how much Selena values your opinion.”
My heart is galloping as the man ponders my comments for what feels like an eternal moment. Finally, he says, “Grayson, my daughter has been married and divorced. She’s a grown woman with a teenaged son and a successful business. At this point, I don’t feel qualified to tell her what to do in any aspect of her life—least of all, in her love life. Let’s not forget, I’m the fucking idiot who gave Andre my blessing, way back when, and I couldn’t have been more wrong to do that.”
“I’m not Andre,” I say quickly. “I hope that’s abundantly clear to you, sir. I’ll never hurt Selena. Never.”
He looks sympathetic. “I believe that, Grayson. You’re a loyal, faithful, gentle soul, if I’ve ever met one. And it’s obvious your love for my daughter is genuine. All I’m saying is, at this stage of my daughter’s life, I don’t think I should have any say in what she decides to do with her heart. As her father, I’ll always want what’s best for her. I’ll always try to guide and protect her, as best I can, of course. But her decisions are all hers.”
“Yes, sir. I can respect that.”
He smiles. “That said, if my daughter decides she wants to marry you, then I’d not only fully support her decision, I’d also be thrilled about it.”
I exhale an ocean of relief, lurch out of my chair, and begin shaking his hand enthusiastically. “Thank you, sir. I promise I’ll always—”
“Assuming you’ll agree to signing an ironclad prenup, that is.”
I release his hand. “Of course. I don’t want a dime of Selena’s money.”
Pops retakes my hand with a chuckle and pats it. “I know that. I’m simply informing you, if Selena were to ask her father for advice, that’s what I’d advise her: to get a prenup. But, of course, I’d also congratulate my daughter on finding a kind man who’ll love and treat her right.”
Again, I exhale. “Thank you, sir. I’ll sign anything. Do anything. I want a life with Selena and Drew that has nothing to do with her money or yours. I’ll pay her rent to live here with her, if that’s what she wants. I’ll—"