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“Yes, sir.” I’m going to hell for this, but I’m committed. Reaching into my pocket, I pull out the ring box and hold it up for him. “I came here today to ask for your blessing. I’d like to ask Monroe to marry me.”
He reaches out and takes the box. He whistles. “That’s a big rock, Legend.”
“It’s two carats. The center square diamond is one carat, and the smaller diamonds around it are a carat.” I don’t know if that’s important information, but I’m spilling details, hoping to get his blessing, I guess.
He stares at the ring inside the box for what seems like hours, when I know that’s not the case. Finally, when he looks up, a slow grin tilts his lips. “This looks like her,” he says, closing the box and handing it back to me.
“Yes, sir. I’ve searched for a while. I didn’t know what I wanted, but I knew that when I saw it, I would know.”
“You’ve lived a lot of life. Ten years more than my daughter. I like you, Legend, and I see how you are with her. Can you promise me not to clip her wings? To let her learn and grow and be the woman she wants to be?”
“Every day. Monroe is… special. She has the biggest heart of anyone I know, and being around her is infectious. I know what I have. I know the honor it will be for her to become my wife, and I promise you I’ll never take her or the gift of her love for granted.”
“You know, my wife and I had a feeling this was coming. Just seeing the two of you together. You fit.”
“Thank you.” I swallow back the lump of emotion clogging my throat. I might not be in love with her, but I care about her. I crave every second of time I get to spend with her. And to know that her parents see that, for me to have what I hope is their acceptance, it gets a man in his feels.
“Welcome to the family, Legend. Take care of my little girl.”
“Always, sir. Thank you.” I expel a heavy sigh of relief, and he cackles with laughter.
“When are you asking her?”
“Soon.” Tonight, I think, but I don’t tell him that. If I chicken out doing this in front of our friends, I don’t want to disappoint him.
“I’ll be looking forward to that phone call.”
“Thank you.” I stand and shove the ring box back into my pocket.
“How did you get her out of the house without letting her know where you are?”
“I made up an excuse of needing to stop at the shop and that I’d meet her at Forrest’s place in an hour. I texted Roman to make sure her car was there before coming here, but I should get going.”
“You’re a good man, Legend.”
A heaviness falls onto my shoulders. I hate deceiving him, but we’re too far into this to turn back now. “Thank you, sir. I’ll see you soon.” He walks me to the door, and with a wave, I pull out of the drive.
My mind is racing. Now, I need to ask my girl to marry me.
I’m still wrapping my head around the fact that Monroe is going to be my wife. The drive to Forrest’s place is a blur of scenarios and what I want to say. I’ve never thought about proposing marriage. I thought I would do it someday, but that’s as far as it went. Now that the moment is here, I want it to be right. Right for us, right for her. I want the moment to be everything she’s ever dreamed of. As she said, this could be her only proposal, and I want her to have the full experience. That’s the least I can do.
Making my way around the side of the house, I see everyone already gathered at the fire and a massive pile of wood set off to the side. Drake and his girlfriend, Lisa, are here, as well as Lyra. They’re new to our Everlasting Ink family, but they seem to fit in well. Them being here means that Monroe and I have to be on the entire night. Which is fine. We’re used to it.
Making my way to where she’s sitting, I bend over the back of the chair and press a kiss to the tip of her nose.
She giggles, tilting her head back to look at me. “Hey, babe.”
I smile at her. She’s taken to calling me babe, and I have to admit that I don’t hate it. I’ve never been with someone long enough to establish pet names.
“Gorgeous.” I smile at her. “You need another?” I point to the drink in her hand.
“Yes, please.”
I give her shoulder a slight squeeze before heading to the cooler to get her another one of her drinks. When I reach her, I hand it to her. She stands, and I take her seat, pulling her onto my lap. She settles her back against my chest, and I wrap my arms around her. It’s easy to be affectionate with Monroe.
“Aw,” Lyra says, pointing at us. “I love this so much.”
Monroe laughs, and I smile at her, staying quiet. That’s not my usual stance. I’m usually loud and laughing and joking around. I’m still that guy, but right now, I’m the guy who holds his girl close.
